Cycling to and from work can be the ideal way to be energized for a hectic day at the office and to wind down after a taxing day. But that also includes navigating city streets and traffic in what can be less than good visibility.
We took the time to learn a little more about lighting for bikes and the best bike lights for city riding.
The Reason to Always Have Those Lights ON
It’s important to be visible to motorists and pedestrians even when the sky is clear, so having lights on is a good idea. Eighty percent of bicycle fatalities happen during the day, and 40 percent of them are from behind, according to Scott Kasin, director of electronics at Trek Bicycle Corporation. Therefore, you must equip your bicycle with both front and rear lights.
What to Look for Before You Buy
When searching for a set of bike lights, consider your intended usage, desired level of illumination, and available budget when making your lighting selection. The light level will change depending on whether you’re in downtown New York or commuting in the suburbs of Atlanta.
For these reasons, we’ve compiled a collection of lights spanning a wide range of prices to ensure that you can see and be seen in any situation. Also, we asked professionals from all throughout the country for their recommendations.
How to Choose the Best Bike Light
There is a wide range, price-wise, Â of lights to choose from, so check these specs:
- Type and run-time of the battery
- Enough lumens to be seen in daylight
- Weight
- Installation
The Best Bike Lights for City Riding
BLITZU Gator 390 Commuter LED Bike Lights
From my many years of experience with this product, I can attest that its primary function is to supply the cyclist with just the proper quantity of light. The front headlight is noticeable throughout the day, and the flashing function is helpful for staying seen when driving.
It also has a back light that will make you visible in the dark and a front light that will illuminate your path. There is one flashing setting for the powerful light and three more for the secondary light.
The convenience it provides in terms of battery life is just another benefit of using this device. The included battery is rechargeable, so you won’t have to continually buying new ones. With the included dual-USB charging cables, topping off your battery is a breeze. In addition, a battery level display will make it simple for the motorcyclist to assess the health of the bike’s energy supply.
Bontrager Ion Pro RT/Flare Light Set
Kevin Balayx of Bicycle Workshop recommends these lights because of their:
Quality, cost, warranty, Lumen output, runtime, and beam color/spread. The ‘RT’ lights can be operated by remote or Garmin-compatible devices, and the front light in this set gives adequate illumination to safely navigate the road or trail at night.
NiteRider 900 Commuter LED Bike Lights
This product’s durability and toughness are two of its most notable qualities. Its DuPont fiberglass construction and nylon housing make it exceptionally durable and long-lasting.
The quality of the light is another outstanding characteristic of this bike gear. Its maximum brightness of 900 lumens guarantees that the cyclist will have plenty of illumination during nighttime rides. Additionally, the battery can be turned on or off with the push of a button when in lock mode. As a result, the battery life of the bike light will be prolonged if it is turned off when it is not in use.
Furthermore, I appreciate the sturdy USB rechargeable battery. For what purpose is it dependable? Basically, anything with a USB port can be used to supply power. The light can be charged from any USB-enabled device, including laptops, desktops, and smartphones. The power button doubles as a battery indicator, lighting up blue while the battery is full and red when it has dropped below 20%.
Ovetour 1000 Commuters Bike Lights
« The Most Expensive Bike Lights
Best Bike Lights for Night Riding »
If you’re looking for a durable and long-lasting bike light, look no further than this commuter model. Overall, I was quite happy with the quality of both the headlight and the taillight. The mounting bracket will hold and make the light stable all the time, even while navigating bumpy roads and uneven road surface, which is the finest part of the bike light.
The quality of the mounting bracket is the one and only thing I don’t like about this product. It’s composed of plastic; therefore, it could crack if you don’t handle it carefully. This is the weakest link in an otherwise excellent product, and it needs to be strengthened.
YOSKY 1000 Commuter Cycling Lights
This light’s USB rechargeable battery eliminates the need to acquire replacement batteries. You can charge your laptop, computer, or other USB-enabled devices. Rechargeable batteries save waste by reducing regular battery replacement.
Super strong lights highlight your bike at night, another remarkable feature. Two LED beads power this 1000-lumen light which illuminates a wide range on the road, helping the biker see. Free taillight boosts rider visibility and alerts other drivers.
It’s versatile and straightforward to install. Mounting the bike light requires no tools. This commuter bike light is tool-free and installs in seconds. This bike light can also be used as an emergency light, while camping, strolling, or running.
BV Bicycle LED Taillight Lights
This product’s installation and use are easy. This product’s mounting method can be permanent, but the lights can be removed easily. An unique attachment method makes mounting and demounting this bike light easy. The plastic mount should be fine for commuting bikes.
If you need to commute during the night or day, you need to be protected while on the road. There are many risks when biking, but the best bike lights for city riding can cycling and offer safety and protection while on the road.
