Being a safe bicycle rider includes having lights and using them when necessary. Many jurisdictions require bicycles to be equipped with a rear and/or front light. Generally, when the law requires you to have lights on your bike, your headlight must emit white light and your taillight red light. A wide variety of lights is available.
Types
In the 21st century, more bike lights are equipped with LEDs. These lights use significantly less energy than incandescent bicycle lights, lengthening the life of your batteries, but may be more expensive up front and are not generally as bright as incandescents. Most incandescent bicycle lights are of the halogen variety.
Light Patterns
Many headlights and taillights have a solid light option and one or more blinking options. Note that blinking lights on road vehicles may be illegal in your jurisdiction; they are illegal in California.
Brightness
Commercially available bike lights may give a lumens (brightness) rating, but these are usually based on the manufacturer's rating of the light in ideal conditions, not when put in a case and surrounded by reflectors. Depending on how the light is constructed, lights with identical lumen ratings may appear to have different brightnesses. Nevertheless, lumens are a good basic way of judging a light's brightness. Most lights that cost less than $100 as of May 2010 emit less than 100 lumens.
Power
Standard alkaline or rechargeable batteries such as AAA, AA and C batteries power most bicycle lights. Some lights are wired to collect energy from the rotation of your wheels and only work while your wheels are rotating. Solar-powered lights charge a battery inside the light for use at night.
Attachment
Most headlights attach to your handlebars, though some are designed to be worn around your head or helmet. Most rear bicycle lights attach under your seat post or to your rear rack. Many come with clips so they can be worn on your jacket, belt, shoulder bag or backpack.
Cost
Bike lights range in price from around $10 for the flimsiest, weakest lights to as much as $600 for the especially durable and high powered models. The cheapest bike lights will not help you see the road at night but will help other road users see you. For safety, get a bike light with enough power to illuminate the road so you can see obstacles too; this means at least 3 watts if you ride on smooth, well-lit roads, and preferably more.
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