Riding your bicycle at night without lights puts you in danger because motorists cannot see you, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Most states require bicycles traveling at night to use a headlight and a rear red reflector. But that may not be enough for you to be seen. To stay safe, you need a strong headlight and taillight. LED lights, which provide as much light as older bike lights but use little battery power, potentially offer the best option for bicycle lighting.
Risks
Cyclists traveling at night die in accidents with motor vehicles at four times the rate of cyclists traveling in daylight, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. If a motorist is traveling at 40 mph, he needs to see a bicycle at least 600 feet ahead of him -- and potentially 800 feet ahead of him -- to avoid a collision. This demonstrates a need for the brightest bicycle lights possible, the CPSC says. The agency specifically recommended flashing red LED lights to augment bicycles' rear reflectors as the best option for cyclists to be seen in many situations.
Options
The best LED bicycle lights come in a variety of different configurations, according to LED Lights. For example, you can purchase bright single LED lights, lights made of clusters of multiple LED lights and bright multiple lights. The best LED bicycle light options usually are brighter than incandescent or other forms of lighting.
Features
To light up your bicycle effectively, you want a bright white headlight with a fairly wide beam width, plus a flashing red light for the rear of your bike, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.The best LED bicycle light options carry long warranties and can last for years, since LEDs can continue to work for tens of thousands of hours. You'll never need to change a bulb, either. Some LED bicycle lights are designed to be rechargeable, while others take batteries. Rechargeable LED bicycle lights might not last as long as disposable battery-powered lights.
Considerations
Although the best LED bicycle lights are bright, your choice of lights will depend on other features, such as the type of power, weight and price. Some of the more expensive LED bicycle lights offer a choice between a steady and flashing light, which you might find useful in areas where a steady beam will tend to blend into background lighting. Some lights contain batteries in the same housing as the light itself, while others include wires that need to be attached elsewhere on the bicycle.
Member Comments