Lights are the one accessory the law says you need. Riding at night or in poor visibility without them can earn a fine, and more importantly, it makes you hard to see. Here is what the rules ask for, and how to think about brightness without getting lost in lumen numbers.
Short version
- At night you need a white front light, a red rear light and a red rear reflector.
- Being seen and seeing the road are different jobs. City riding needs the first; dark roads and trails need both.
- Compare lumen figures only between lights measured the same way, and look at the beam shape too.
What the road rules require
Under the Australian Road Rules (rule 259), a bicycle ridden at night or in hazardous weather that reduces visibility must display a flashing or steady white light visible from at least 200 metres in front, a flashing or steady red light visible from at least 200 metres behind, and a red reflector visible from at least 50 metres behind when light shines on it. Each state adopts these rules, so check your state’s road authority for the current wording and penalties.
Being seen versus seeing
On lit city streets your front light’s main job is to make you visible to drivers and pedestrians. A light with a good side profile and a daytime flash mode does that well. On unlit roads, bike paths and trails, you also need enough light on the ground to spot potholes and debris at your riding speed. That calls for a brighter light with a wider, well-shaped beam.
Reading lumen figures
Lumens measure the total light a lamp puts out, not how well it lights the road. Two lights with the same lumen figure can perform very differently, depending on the beam pattern and whether the figure is measured to a standard. Some makers rate their lights to the German StVZO standard, which also controls glare for oncoming riders and drivers. When we list a lumen or run-time figure, it is the maker’s specification and we say so.
Rear lights and daytime running
Many riders now run a rear light in the day too, on a flashing mode that catches drivers’ attention. Some rear lights sense braking and brighten when you slow down, and some are built into radar units that warn you of cars approaching from behind.
Batteries and charging
Most lights now charge by USB-C. Lithium batteries count as dangerous goods for carriers, so some lights can only travel by road. That is why Express may not show at checkout for some of our lights and radar.