Bicycle lights are critically important for any bicycle. Lights allow you to see and be seen. And this avoids accidents, particularly as the amount of daylight decreases in the cooler months. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind as you shop for your next bike light.
Front or Rear?
At a minimum, select a simple rear light so cars are aware of your presence as you ride with the flow of traffic. A blinking light is best, as it will differentiate you from other sources of city light. No need to get fancy here - you can pick up a simple, effective rear light up for as little as 15 bucks.
If you have additional money to spend, we highly recommend a front light as well. Typically, front lights output white light while rear lights output red light, but that is just a rule of thumb. I sometimes like to switch things up to keep drivers on their toes. The point is to grab the attention of drivers.
Lumens
Lumens measure the output intensity of a light, whether it’s in your home or on your bike. When it comes to choosing a bike light, the higher the lumens the better as this makes you easier to see. We recommend at least 5-10 lumens for rear lights and at least 250 lumens for a front light. Lumen output requirements for a front light are greater, as a front light must be bright enough to help you navigate obstacles in low light.
Run Time
The run-time of a bike light is directly proportional to the lumen output. All else equal, the higher the lumens the lower the run time. At a minimum, we recommend a 5 hour run time for any bike light used under normal conditions. Look for bike lights with multiple modes if possible. We recommend rear lights with a flashing mode, as this will have a higher run time than a non-flashing mode... and be more visible to drivers and other cyclists at the same time.
Water Resistance
Since you can get caught in the rain on any ride, it is important to select a bike light that has some degree of water resistance. While some high-end lights are water proof, this level of water protection is not necessary. A water-resistant light is sufficient, and is typically constructed in a way to shed water away from the internal battery compartment.
Mounting Options
When selecting a rear or front bike light, you have many choices here depending on your needs. Front lights are typically mounted on your handlebar, either with special mounting hardware (included with the light) or a simple silicone strap.
Rear lights are typically mounted on the seat post. They can also be clipped to a jersey or backpack. Cyclists (and runners alike) can also choose to strap a light to their ankle as an additional source of light, although we don’t recommend this as a primary source of light.
Rechargeable?
When available, we prefer selecting bike lights that are USB-rechargeable versus those that are powered by single-use alkaline batteries. The higher lumen bike lights will almost always have USB-chargeability. Plus, they generate less waste and are better for the environment.
Power Bank?
Finally, some front bike lights offer the ability to serve as both a light and a power bank. This can come in quite handy if you rely on your smartphone for navigation. Phone battery running low? No problem, just plug it into your bike light’s internal power bank to charge it up.
Hopefully we’ve provided some useful information for choosing bike lights for your next urban adventure or commute. ZestyBike sells a full line of high quality, but inexpensive bike lights. Check out our collection today!