Electric Bike Lights at Night

LIGHTS AT NIGHT

Visibility
• By law, you must have a front white light and red rear reflector in most states
• Motorists are familiar with white meaning front and red meaning rear
• Front lights can illuminate your path or simply make you visible at night

Wattage
• Inexpensive electric bike lights seldom light your path; at about 3 watts, they make you visible
• Lighting systems are available that put out 45 watts with a halogen bulb
• Most full-time commuters use at least a 10 watt system with a rechargeable battery

Power sources
• From AA batteries to nickel-metal-hydride rechargeables, the options are endless
• Self-contained, rechargeable batteries have the best life and brightest light
• Simple AA powered lights have lower initial cost but frequent battery replacement

Helmet vs. bar mount
• Helmet mounted lights allow your to get the attention of motorists by looking at them
• Bar mounted lights make you look more like a vehicle but only point forward
• The ideal situation is one helmet light and one bar-mounted light for safety

Rear lights
• A red rear blinking light is much more conspicuous than a passive reflector
• Make sure that your light is visible to motorists and not pointing up or down
• Clear obstructions from the back of the bike that would block the light