Best bike lights 2022 daytime-running and high-powered lights reviewed
The best bike lights are essential if you're planning to ride after dark or before daybreak or even if you're out in poor conditions during the day.
Most cyclists will regularly ride after dark in autumn and winter, making bike lights an essential piece of kit, although daytime running bike lights are growing in popularity because they help you to be seen out on the road, even in bright sunlight.
We've split our guide into four categories: high-power front lights, mid-power front lights, rear lights and light sets.
Below that you’ll find all the details on our recent four-way grouptest, covering a selection of top-flight high-powered front lights. At the bottom of the page, we delve into all the techy details of what to look for in the best bike lights.
Best high-power front bike lights
1. Lezyne Macro Drive 1300XXL
2021/22 grouptest: Best performance/value blend
RRP: £90/$99.99 | Lumens: 1300 | Battery life : 2.5hrs (lasted as claimed) | Modes: 7 | Mount: Rubber strap | Weight: 226g (claimed 208g)
Solid construction
Reliable mount
Wide beam
Takes up quite a bit of space on your handlebars
The Lezyne Macro Drive 1300XXL, as its name suggests, puts out 1300 lumens. It provides a wide beam and attaches to the handlebar via a rubber strap, which is thick and stretchy, resulting in a robust overall package when paired with the CNCed aluminium body.
You can choose to use the 'Race' mode, which lets you switch between 1300 lumens and 130 lumens, or the standard mode, where you can cycle through all seven options. The Race mode is handy as it effectively lets you 'dip' the beam.
Charging is via a micro USB cable. The battery life is a claimed 2.5 hours. We tested this twice, and found we still had either a flashing red light (indicating 5% battery left) or solid red light (indicating 5-10% left) after 2 hours 20 minutes.
All in, we concluded that this is a solid light which we would wholeheartedly recommend.
Read more: Lezyne Macro Drive 1300XXL full review
For an alternative check out the Lezyne Micro Drive Pro 800XL review or Exposure Lightdrive 1000XL review
2. Exposure Strada MK10 SB
2021/22 grouptest: Best 'money no object' option
RRP: £300/$411 | Lumens: 1500 | Battery life: 2hrs | Modes: 20 | Mount: Alloy mount | Weight: 228g (claimed 230g)
Super bright with a helpful beam pattern
Wide range of easy to use modes
Quality construction
Long burntime
Mount is very fiddly to attach
DC charging cable not as universal as USB
Exposure has been a market leader for some time and the Sussex based brand is known for engineering products that really last - members of the CW team have managed to keep some of Exposure's beams going for over a decade. So, whilst the price is high, if you've got the cash we'd fully recommend the Strada MK10.
The 1500 lumens is measured, not calculated - meaning that you really do get a full 1500 lumens. The beam was quite visibly the brightest of the bunch in our group test.
Battery life is 2 hours, and Exposure's digital screen actually displays the number of minutes you have left; these figures rang true for us.
Exposure also offers a full 20 modes, with a feature that allows you to select a 'sub mode' so you don't have to cycle through all 20.
The mount is a beautifully engineered aluminium construction, though it is fiddly to swap between bikes when compared with a simple rubber strap.
Read more: Exposure Strada MK10 SB review full review
For alternatives, read the Exposure Sirius MK9 DayBright review or the Exposure Toro MK12 front bike light review
3. KNOG PWR Trail 1100
2021/22 grouptest: Best operation when wearing gloves
RRP: £119.99 | Lumens: 1100 | Battery life: 1.7hrs | Modes: 6 | Mount: Clamp | Weight: 220g
Even spread of light that’s very bright for 1,100 lumens
Twisting to change modes is easy with gloves on
Mount holds it securely, doesn’t need tools and isn’t too fiddly to swap between bikes
Programmable with ModeMaker app
Modular system means battery can be used as a powerpack
Doesn't switch to eco mode when charge is low
Fuel gauge could be more meaningful
Knog's PWR Trail 1100 didn't perform as well, across the board, as the offerings from Lezyne and Exposure, but it still scored 4/5 and is a solid product.
The Knog light is a modular system; you can actually use it as a power pack, should you find you're riding in daylight but (for example) need to charge your phone. This is a great touch, however, its battery life is only 1.7hrs, and we did find that claim rang true - giving it the shortest burntime of all those on test.
Changing modes is performed via a twist function. This is very easy to use, and could be particularly useful when wearing gloves.
The mount is a clamp with a ratchet wheel; whilst a little more fiddly than a rubber strap, it is robust.
Read more: Knog PWR Trail 1100 light full review
4. Blackburn Dayblazer 1500
2021/22 grouptest: Solid option, but there's better out there
RRP: £89.99/$85 | Lumens: 1500 | Battery life: 2hrs (surpassed this) | Modes: 5 | Mount: Rubber strap | Weight: 143g (claimed 140g)
Low weight
Battery life surpassed claim
Rubber strap is too skinny
Helmet mount need additional purchases
The Dayblazer 1500 from Blackburn is the lowest scorer on test. It lost marks for the mount, which broke during testing, largely due to its skinny profile and the amount of force required to fit it to a chunky road bike handlebar. In addition, whilst it claims to come with a helmet mount, we'd suggest it comes with a helmet mount adapter which doesn't provide all you'd need to fit the light to your lid.
On the plus side, the Blackburn Dayblazer 1500 does put out plenty of light, and it was the lightest option on test, at 143g. The body is robust, and water and grit protection is excellent.
Read more: Blackburn Dayblazer 1500 full review
5. Ravemen PR1600
Best for on/off road versatility
RRP: £139.99 | Lumens: 1600 | Battery life: 1.4hrs | Modes: 8 | Mount: Plastic fixed | Weight: 215g
Powerful
Even beam pattern
Easy shortcut to full beam
Useful battery meter display
Remote switch
Lack of side visibility
The PR1600 is the second most powerful of a five light line-up. We liked its beam pattern that combined spread and spot illumination well for fast riding on unlit, potholed lanes, while its price for its output undercuts better known brands. As well as the light itself you get a wireless remote in the pack that makes it easy to dip the light for an oncoming vehicle without having to toggle through the multiple modes, of which there are eight total: five for road use and three for trails.
Battery life on the highest mode is 1.4 hours, which is OK if not amazing, but you do have a digital display built into the light telling you how much burn time is left - a marked improvement on the usual colour-changing LED.
There's a USB plug built in which, like the Knog PWR range, lets you power up other devices, but the Ravemen light doesn't provide any side-on visibility features, so it's not the best for commuters.
Read more: Ravemen PR1600 full review
Best mid-power front bike lights
6. Exposure Sirius Mk9 Daybright
Best for high power in a small package
RRP: £100 | Lumens: 850 | Battery life: 2 - 36hrs | Modes: Up to 8 programmable | Mount : Bracket with Silicone strap | Weight: 84g
Build quality
Beam power and pattern
More expensive than many of its rivals
Bracket won't fit aero bars as standard
The Exposure Sirius Daybright packs a lot of light for a compact. lightweight package. Like Exposure's other lights, it's programmable so you can choose the light settings that work best for you. There's a bright central spot with plenty of peripheral illumination as well.
It's worth bearing in mind though that the standard rubber strap mount, although it functions perfectly on standard round handlebars, is too short to wrap around a wider aero bar top, so you may need to buy a second strap to daisy chain to it. If you add a helmet mount to your purchase, the Sirius is a great option for a lid light.
Read more: Exposure Sirius Daybright full review
7. Lezyne Micro Drive Pro 800XL
Best value for money
RRP: £60 | Lumens: 800 | Battery life: 1:45 - 19hrs | Modes: 8 | Mount: Silicone strap | Weight: 114g
Excellent beam pattern for road riding
Long run time
Simple bracket fits all bars
Too many modes
Side visibility could be better
With two LEDs, there's a wide cast of light from the Micro Drive Pro, although we'd have liked a little more side illumination. The four constant modes give you lots of options, although you can cut that down to just two by selecting the Overdrive mode, making selection as you ride a bit easier.
The light has a green hue, that we found more comfortable to the eye than the bright white of many front lights. The hefty alloy light feels very robust and mounts easily to a range of bars with the attached rubber strap.
Read more: Lezyne Micro Drive Pro 800XL full review
8. Knog PWR Rider
Best for versatility
RRP: £58 | Lumens: 450 | Battery life: 2 - 90hrs | Modes: You choose | Mount: Silicone strap | Weight: 114g
Configurable lighting modes
Double up as a power bank
Easy operation with gloves
Recesses in lights can accumulate dirt
Like the other lights in the Knog PWR range, the PWR Rider has a built-in USB port so you can use it as a power bank to charge other devices. It's also programmable, so you can set as many modes and light levels as you want, if the six ready-programmed modes don't suit.
At 114g, the PWR Rider is not too heavy to use as a helmet light and it's easy to attach to the bars with its integrated rubber strap mount. There's a good, elliptical spread of light that lets you ride at a reasonable pace even on unlit roads.
Read more: Knog PWR Rider front light full review
Best rear bike lights
9. Moon Cerberus rear light
Best for versatility
Lumens: 5-150 | Battery life: 1:45- 140 | Battery type: 500mAh Li-PO built-in | Weight: 35g
270º visibility
Fits any shape/size of seat post
Slick design
Rubber pad not fixed in place
Mouting not as stable as it could be
The Moon Cerberus is worth considering if you own a variety of bikes with different seat posts. The innovative hinged wings used to mount the light make it exceptionally versatile, though it might not be the most stable.
The light boasts three COB LEDs. A conventional rear-facing one is complemented by two lateral ones, ensuring that road users to your left and right also get a decent blast of light. It was this innovative set-up that achieved awards for the Cerberus soon after its launch.
Moon are known for their slick, compact lights and the Cerberus is no exception; the plush buttons aren't the easiest to locate and operate though. On the plus side, modes are well arranged and certainly not too plentiful; you won't be scrolling excessively to find what you need.
Read more: Moon Cerberus rear light full review
10. Lezyne KTV Pro rear light
Best for charging simplicity
Lumens: 75 | Battery life: 4–19.5 hours | Battery type: Integrated rechargeable | Weight: 50g
Great visibility
Durable build
Burn time is impressive
Rear light tends to twist on seatpost
A bright 75 lumen rear which offers a variety of modes, including a daytime option and the KTV Pro offers long run times for multiple rides between recharges. There's a wide 270 degree angle of illumination, upping side-on visibility. There's good waterproofing, as attested by a series of long, wet rides.
Charging is via an inbuilt USB adapter: you just whip the rubber bottom end off the light and plug it in. The light has a narrow indent in the rear to hold it in place on your seatpost. There's a rubber band for mounting and can fit aero or round seat posts, though we did find it suited aero versions better and was prone to twist on round posts so that it wasn't pointing straight behind.
Read more: Lezyne KTV Pro rear light
11. Cateye Rapid X3 rear light
Lumens: 150 | Battery life: 1–30 hours | Battery type: Integrated rechargeable | Weight: 64g
COB tech leads to large lighted area
Independent switches for each array make for lots of lighting options
Option to have a constant and a flashing array at the same time
Step down to flashing output leads to long run time
Limited battery life in highest output constant mode
Plenty of modes and 150 lumens on the highest output make the Cateye Rapid X3 a very competent rear light. We like that it packs two sets of independently operated LEDs in the same body, which gives lots of output options, including a mix of constant and flashing at the same time or just using one light array to increase battery life. Runtimes are quite short if you set both arrays to constant though.
Lighting is provided by an array of COB LEDs which give a large illuminated area in comparison to smaller numbers of higher intensity LEDs, so there's more to spot for a driver coming up behind.
The light automatically goes into a reduced 'low battery' mode when it's running out of juice, while charging takes about 3 hours.
Read more: Cateye Rapid X3 rear light
12. Lezyne Laser Drive rear light
Best for daytime running
Lumens: 250 | Battery life: 2.5–17 hours | Battery type: Integrated rechargeable | Weight: 74g
Extra rear visibility through high output and laser guides
Lots of lighting modes
Very bright flashing option
Quite a large unit
Expensive compared to the competition
At over £50/ $50, this is quite a pricey option and it's also quite bulky - but it's got a unique party trick. The 250-lumen rear bike light also incorporates optional flashing or continuous laser beams which can be displayed either side of the cyclist, designed to reduce the number of close passes cyclists experience. The four LEDs add to that with good side-on visibility.
There are some really high output options among its nine modes, with up to 40 lumens constant and a huge 250 lumens flashing. The light turns on in the mode last used though, avoiding the need to toggle through all the options.
The rubber band mount is compatible with both round and aero seat posts and angles the light horizontally, too.
Read more: Lezyne Laser Drive rear light review
13. Bontrager Flare RT
Best for packing a punch in small package
Lumens: 90 | Battery life: 4.5–13.5 hours | Battery type: Integrated rechargeable | Weight: 33g
Light weight
A lot of technology
Can turn off ambient light sensor as you wish
Mode settings can be a bit confusing
Don't be fooled by the Bontrager Flare RT's compact size, this miniature tail light backs the punch of a flashbang. The LED inside only outputs 90-lumens, but the optics built into the lens focus the beam in such a way that the Flare RT can be seen from up to 2km / 1.2mi away.
There are loads of different modes that can be tricky to find your way around, although you can lock in the one you prefer so the light uses this next time you switch it on.
ANT+ connectivity means it can be connected to Garmin computers to show battery status and for control. There's an integrated ambient light sensor adjusts brightness for maximum visibility dependent on the conditions. It's a feature you can turn off if you prefer, although it does help to extend battery life.
There's a newly designed mount that reduces your chance of losing the light as you ride. It's an impressive, compact, 33g package.
Read more: Bontrager Flare RT full review
14. Exposure Blaze with DayBright
Best for build quality
Lumens: 80 | Battery life: 6–48 hours | Battery type: Integrated rechargeable | Weight: 77g
Lumen output (80)
Design
Finish
Burn time
Price is higher than competition
Limited mounting options
Complicated mode selection
There's no doubt that you'll feel safer in the knowledge that you'll be much more likely to be seen by approaching cars and other traffic with the Exposure Blaze rear light attached to your bike. It truly is a dazzling light that cuts through the light pollution to grab the attention of other road users. It's really well built too, so should stand up to plenty of abuse, which is a good thing considering the light's high price.
The Daybright function is impressive in bright sunshine, especially at cutting through low level sunrays. You can also use the in-built accelerometer and set the light up to work like a brake light and set up Peloton mode so you don't dazzle your ridemates.
There's lots of programmability to the Blaze, although it's quite complex to get your head around. There is a video guide online though, which helps.
Read more: Exposure Blaze with DayBright
15. Garmin Varia RTL515
Best for extra safety features
Lumens: 65 | Battery life: 6–16 hours | Battery type: Integrated rechargeable | Weight: 100g (incl mount)
Ups your road presence
Usually quicker to spot approaching vehicles than you are
Only one alert for vehicles in convoy
Does not spot all approaching vehicles
Expensive, but does offer extra features for the outlay
Garmin's Varia RTL515 has four light modes, 65-lumens under the hood, and has a viewing angle of up to 220-degrees, but that's not what sets this light apart.
Hidden inside this sleek looking taillight is a rear-facing radar which can pick up cars from up to 140m / 459ft away, and when connected to a Garmin, Wahoo or other brand head unit, alerts you to and tracks cars as they approach. It may sound like a gimmick, but in our experience, it is surprisingly accurate, and often picks up cars before our ears do.
The radar also means that the light can change its lighting pattern as a car approaches, flashing more brightly and more rapidly to make certain that you're seen.
There's a robust mount that can be converted to fit different shaped seatposts and an app to configure the light and which acts as a head unit if you don't have a bike computer.
Read more: Garmin Varia RTL515 review
Best bike light sets
16. Giant Recon HL 100 and Recon TL 100 combo
Best for combining function and form
Lumens: 100 | Battery life: 2.5–18 hours | Battery type: Integrated rechargeable | Weight: 33g per light
Lightweight
User friendly
Powerful for their size
Quirky design
On/off switch not the easiest to operate
The Giant Recon HL 100 and TL 100 are very simple to operate, with no long presses, counting flashes to determine brightness level or anything like that. You just cycle through the five modes by short-pressing the on/off button and it’s the standard long press for on and off.
The switch, however, is a small oblong that needs direct pressure in exactly the right place. A protruding, rubbery switch would be easier but it would wreck the cube’s symmetry. I can live with form over function this time, but sometimes it takes a couple of attempts to activate it, especially with gloves.
The Tail-Light (TL) is surprisingly bright – blinding even – for such a small light. It’s really all you’d ever need from a rear light. The Head-Light (HL) is fine for streetlit commutes but is not enough for seeing on unlit roads – it is strictly a ‘be-seen’ light.
Landing in the middle ground price wise, they're well designed and have good functionality. Perfect for a lightweight, versatile, good-looking, commuter light set with a very useful daytime mode.
Read more: Giant Recon HL 100 and Recon TL 100 combo review
17. Lezyne Micro Drive 600XL and KTV Pro light set
Best for durability
Lumens: 600 front / 75 rear | Battery life: 1–44 hours | Battery type: Integrated rechargeable | Weight: 97g front / 50g rear
High level of visibility
Durability due to aluminium casing
Long burn time
Rear light tends to twist on seatpost
At 600 lumens, the Lezyne 600XL packs a punch and isn't far off being a 'seeing' light.
The front 600XL uses a permanently attached rubber strap to wrap it tight around the handlebar but it also rotates on the clamp allowing you to fit on fork leg or any odd angled position. Despite being used on the fork leg for riding LEJOG, we had no issues with the light remaining steadfastly in place.
The LEDs are arranged in a side-by-side pattern and push out a decent spread of light that in most modes works as a flood light to light up the road ahead evenly. Only in the two brightest modes does it take on more of a spot pattern, highlighting a smaller but brighter patch of the road ahead. But we can attest that even the lower flashing modes are bright enough to light up road signs from over five hundred metres away easily.
With regards the rear KTV unit, mounting is reliant on the thick rubber strap and slightly compliant rear recess on the light body. This recess is a little too narrow and the rubber a little too stiff to hold it tight against a standard seatpost. This does result in the light twisting off centre during a ride and reduces rear visibility. Something you will need to keep an eye on.
Read more: Lezyne Micro Drive 600XL and KTV Pro light set review
18. Exposure Trace and Trace R MK2 light set
Best for ultimate quality
Lumens: 110 front / 75 rear | Battery life: 3–24 hours | Battery type: Integrated rechargeable | Weight: 78g per light
High level of visibility including side visibility
Build quality is renowned from Exposure
Simple attachment
Exposure lights are usually more expensive than the competition but they do last
The Trace and TraceR lights are the smallest and most featherweight units Exposure produces and at first glance it's hard to imagine the sort of performance they are capable of. But just like David against Goliath, size isn't everything.
Tiny, robust, extremely bright and with long burn times, there really is nothing to fault the Exposure Trace and TraceR light set. Ideal for everything from commuting to being a backup set for longer trips, this is a set of lights that will provide reliable service for many a year.
The beam pattern and visibility for both lights are exceptional. The front throws out a good spread of light and in flashing mode easily lights up road signs for a few hundred metres ahead and the rear daybright mode is searingly bright. Both lights also have an extended lens that enables them to throw out a good level of side visibility, extending the safety levels.
Charging is simple and it takes just 1.5 hours to charge each from empty. A USB charging port is located under the rubber band that encircles the light. It can be a bit fiddly to pull it out of the way but you soon get used to the process. We’re yet to have any water ingress so despite its flimsy appearance it works really well.
Read more: Exposure Trace and TraceR MK2 light set review
19. CatEye Sync: Core, Kinetic and Wearable
Best for ease of use
Lumens: 500 front / 50 rear / 40 wearable | Battery life: 2–25 hours | Battery type: Integrated rechargeable | Weight: 181g (set)
Additional wireless connection between lights
Battery life of the wearable light was short compared to the other two lights
The CatEye Sync range is the next step in bike lights where up to seven units are connected together wirelessly so that when one is switched on, the others light up too. Equally, when a mode is changed or the lights are to be turned off, one press of a button on one unit will change all the lights too.
It might sound a little excessive, but we found that it did genuinely make commuting easier – particularly with a train journey splitting up the riding and consequently having to turn the lights on and off twice as often.
The rear Kinetic light has an inbuilt accelerometer, which automatically turns on high mode when it detects a deceleration. This is very bright at 50 lumens and works very well to attract attention of road users behind.
The front light, which is 500 lumens, has extended side illumination for added 'be seen' credentials. It has five light modes and seems to be super bright during night time commuting. We were especially impressed by its quality build and the Daytime HyperConstant mode.
The Wearable is a nice addition too. It is a small light but still knocks out 40 lumens. Its shape lends itself to be seen from the side also and placed on the back, clipped to a pocket or bag, gives you some extra peace of mind that you'll be seen.
Read more: CatEye Sync; Core, Kinetic and Wearable review
2021/2022 Lights grouptest
Over the winter of 2021/22 we tested four lights in our high powered light grouptest: the Blackburn Dayblazer 1500, Knog PWR Trail 1100, Lezyne MacroDrive 1300XXL and the Exposure Strada MK10 SB.
You can read our summary reviews for each light above and we've set out the detail of our testing and our comparison video here.
Test protocol
Our team of three testers used these lights over the course of a month, and then met up for a ride after dark to compare the beams on a loop around Sussex.
As well as beam strength, other factors we took into account include the number of modes, how useful these were in practice, as well as battery life and the security of the mounting system and burn time.
The scores on the doors
Light | Blackburn Dayblazer 1500 | Knog PWR Trail 1100 | Lezyne MacroDrive 1300XXL | Exposure Strada MK10 SB |
Score | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
Lumens | 1500 | 1100 | 1300 | 1500 |
Weight | 143g (claimed 140g) | 220g | 226g (claimed 208g) | 228g (claimed 230g) |
Battery life (claimed) | 2hrs (lasted 2hrs+) | 1.7hrs (lasted as claimed) | 2.5hrs (lasted as claimed) | 2hrs |
Modes | 5 | 6 | 7 | 20 |
Mount | Rubber strap | Clamp | Rubber strap | Alloy mount |
RRP | £89.99/$95 | £119.99 | £90/$99.99 | £300/$411 |
Beam comparison
Verdict
The two real standout lights were the Exposure Strada MK10 SB and the Lezyne Macro Drive 1300XXL. With the brightest beam, an accurate and precise battery gauge, and excellent range of modes, the Exposure was clearly the top performer – however the hefty price tag means it’s not going to be a viable option for everyone.
Lezyne’s MacroDrive 1300XXL was a runner up in terms of beam pattern and power, while the significantly lower price and quick to mount silicone strap make it a more accessible option which is easy to swap between bikes.
The Knog PWR Trail 1100 has a few nifty tricks with its ability to double as a charger pack for your phone or other electronic device, and the ModeMaker function which allows you to totally customise the light settings. But not being quite as bright as the Exposure Strada and a little more expensive than the Lezyne MacroDrive, it was edged out by both.
Rounding out our test was the Blackburn Dayblazer, which didn’t really live up to its claims of 1,500 lumens and had a relatively fragile silicone strap. It’s by no means a bad light, but for the minuscule price difference, we’d have to recommend the Lzeyne MacroDrive 1300XXL over it.
For more information on each of the lights, you can find them in the 'high-power front lights' section of this guide.
Buyer's guide to the best bike lights
What should you look for in a bike light?
We’ll look at specialist lighting options in a moment, but for now, let’s assume you’re a road rider or commuter who wants to see and be seen when the sun sets. What do you need to consider when buying your lights?
Pretty much all modern cycle lights use LEDs rather than old-school bulbs, and such has been the advancement of technology, these can be blindingly bright.
Of course, light power is an important part of your buying criteria, but don’t let that be the be-all and end-all. Beam shape and the effect of the light lens can make a huge difference — we’ve seen lights of supposedly lesser power trounce rivals when it comes to real-world performance.
Even if you plan on using a light to see, it will still perform the double duty of helping you to be seen by other road users.
If you’ll be riding on lit roads, you may find the need for an ultra-bright constant beam is unnecessary and a flash function at the front is perfectly adequate.
What should I consider when choosing a rear light?
Though the amount of power you'll need for your front light will vary depending upon where you're riding, no cyclist should be without an adequate rear bike light. Rear bike lights will usually emit around 30 lumens or more, and generally have several modes: steady light, flashing, or a combination between the two. All options are safe and legal, but a flashing mode will usually help to save battery life and attract more attention.
Recently we have been introduced to the idea of using a rear bike light even in the daytime, because it will help drivers pick you out from behind. It's also a sensible idea to double up on rear lights. Though it's unlikely, you won't be quite so aware if your rear bike light fails as you would be in the case of a front beam, so having a back-up fitted can provide extra security and peace of mind.
For your rear light, the flash function is ideal. But if you’re a bike commuter, with both front and rear lights also consider how effective the lamp is in terms of side lighting, as this will make you more visible from more angles and help avoid the "sorry, I didn't see you" excuse from a turning vehicle.
It’s still generally a case of the brighter the better, but you also need to consider other qualities that will make your life easier. Look to see how many flash settings the light has; what the run times will be on a single charge or one set of batteries; and see if it has a rechargeable power source.
In this case, check if it needs its own special charger or if it can be recharged via USB, which aids convenience immensely. Some lights even have a helpful gauge showing how much power they have left.
What do the battery life numbers mean?
For most lights above we've quotes a battery life range. All lights will have multiple modes, so the range is from the most intense to the most economical option.
Most lights will burn through the battery quickly in their highest mode. For fast riding on tricky off-road trails you might need this, but it's worth dialling down the light intensity if you're on easier terrain or tarmac. Your eyes will quickly acclimatise to the lower light level, while on their top output many bike lights can be as intense as a car headlight and dazzle oncoming traffic.
Some lights will dial down their intensity if they start to get too hot or as the battery begins to run down and so extend battery runtime.
Flashing modes give you the longest battery life. They're a good option to up your visibility, particularly at the rear and when riding in daylight, but unless there's good street lighting you'll probably want to run a constant mode at the front at night, which will reduce runtime. It's why front lights usually have larger capacity batteries than rear ones.
It's worth looking at the quotes runtimes in different modes when selecting a light.
What does UK law say about bike lights?
New bikes are sold with reflectors and many people dress in high visibility clothing, which are good additions but in no way make up for a bike with no lights. Bicycle mounted illumination is essential for safety and to keep you on the right side of the law. A decent set of bike lights can be the difference between riding home safely or not getting there at all.
In the UK, law regarding bike lights is governed by the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations, first published in 1989 but amended six times since, which say that as well as your pedal reflectors and rear reflectors (the side and front reflectors aren’t actually a legal necessity) night-riders will also need lights front and back.
The lights have to be mounted on the bike centrally or to the offside, positioned up to 1.5m from the ground, and conform to British Safety or EC standards.
Both front or rear lights can be flashers, but if so they must emit at least four candela. “But bike lights tend to be rated in lumens or Watts, what’s a candela?” we hear you cry.
It’s not a particularly easy subject to explain, and they’re not directly convertible units. But simply put: as long as you buy decent quality bike lights, fit them properly, and remember to switch them on, the law shouldn’t be a problem.
Bike lights and the US law
What does US law say about bike lights?
In the US, the law requires riders to have both active and passive lighting — active lighting is well...lights, while passive lighting is things like reflectors and reflective clothing.
The exact wording of the laws varies from state to state, but the summation of it all is that between sunset and sunrise or in conditions of 'limited visibility' you must have a white light pointing forwards, and a red light pointing backwards.
What does the lumens number tell me about the power of my bike light?
Lumens are used by the bike industry to measure the power of a light: a lumen is a unit of visible light. Since modern LEDs require far less energy, expressing their power in watts — which tells you how much energy they consume rather than how much light they produce — is redundant. For comparison’s sake, a 100W incandescent bulb emits 1600 lumens.
The more you pay, the more lumens you get, but lumens burn up charge, meaning that if you want to run a high-lumen light for a long period of time it will need a big battery.
For road riding on unlit back streets, you need a 'seeing' light. This needs to be at least 700 lumens, though to ride fast like you would in the summer then 1000+ lumens is a safer bet as you'll have longer to anticipate obstacles like potholes.
To be seen when riding on lit roads, 100 lumens is a good benchmark, but 300+ will show you a little more of what's going on at ground level ahead of you. At the rear, anything from 20 to 100 lumens is plenty.
How should I mount my bike lights?
The last consideration is mounting. Smaller bike lights may be simply mounted using a rubber or silicone strap, whereas big lamps — especially front lights — may require a fixed bracket. Truly powerful front lights may even feature an external battery pack that will also need to be accommodated on the bike.
In any case, if you’re planning to leave your bike parked up in public for any length of time, make sure your lamps can be easily removed and take them with you when you stop.
Do I need back-up bike lights or helmet-mounted bike lights for extra brightness?
The typical bike commuter on urban streets will only need a relatively simple set of front and rear lights. There’s still every reason to buy the best you can afford, and even double up with an extra set of cheap emergency-only flashers front and back. But if you’ll be riding off-road or on unlit back roads, you really do need to go for the bigger, more powerful lamps with wider beams.
To augment their bike-mounted torch, many riders also opt for helmet-mounted lights. These can be very effective and have the added benefit of directing the light wherever you are looking. However, these should be in addition to those on the bike, and not your only source of illumination.
Another sensible option is the dynamo light. This uses a compatible hub or wheel-rubbing bottle dynamo to convert your forward motion into electricity which then powers the light — so no need for batteries. Bottle dynamos can be disengaged in daylight hours so they don’t drag unnecessarily, and at night mean you’ll never need to worry about run times or recharging again.
Super safe accessories
Night riding isn’t just about illumination. In recent years a whole industry of associated safety accessories has come about.
There are some smart options out there designed to improve your safety. For example, the Garmin Varia radars will literally make you aware of and track cars as they approach, while the CatEye Sync range allows you to switch on multiple lights at the push of one button.
There are more innovative products appearing all the time, so do enjoy exploring the world of cycle lighting. Just remember, the basic rules haven’t changed: be safe, be seen.
