Reliable bicycle lighting is a key component of road safety. It ensures that cyclists can see obstacles, uneven surfaces and hazards in good time – especially at dusk, in the dark or in poor weather conditions. At the same time, it makes them much more visible to other road users. Good lighting is therefore not only a legal requirement, but above all means greater safety, more control and a significantly lower risk of accidents – and this also applies to Rad am Ring.
BICYCLE LIGHTNING
see and be seen
Fundamentals & Significance
What is bicycle lighting?
Bicycle lighting refers to all lighting systems on a bicycle that illuminate the road ahead and make cyclists more visible in traffic. It usually consists of a white front headlight and a red rear light, supplemented by reflectors. While the front headlight illuminates the road ahead of the bicycle and helps to identify obstacles or bends in good time, the rear light ensures that cyclists are seen by other road users in good time. Modern bicycle lighting mostly uses LED technology and can be powered by a dynamo or a rechargeable battery.
Why is bicycle lighting so important?
Bicycle lighting is a key component of road safety. It enables cyclists to clearly see the road even in poor lighting conditions and at the same time be visible to other road users. Reliable lighting is essential, especially in darkness, twilight or poor weather conditions such as rain or fog. Good bicycle lights improve orientation on the road, increase visibility and help to identify potential hazards at an early stage.
Our guiding principle is therefore: ‘See and be seen’.
Legal requirements
What lighting is required by the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO)?
According to the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO), a bicycle must be equipped with the following lighting when used on public roads:
Ein weißer Frontscheinwerfer
A red rear light
A white front reflector
A large red rear reflector
Reflectors on the pedals
Spoke reflectors or reflective tyres
The lights may be powered by a dynamo or a rechargeable battery. It is important that they are securely attached and approved. For several years now, removable rechargeable lights have also been permitted, provided they meet the legal requirements.
What is the difference between approved and non-approved lighting?
Approved bicycle lights comply with the technical specifications of the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO). This can be recognised by the test mark (K number) affixed to the housing of the light. These lights provide glare-free, uniform illumination and may be used on public roads.
Non-approved lights – often very powerful sports or off-road lights – do not have the corresponding test mark. They can dazzle other road users and are therefore not permitted on public roads. Such systems may only be used off-road or in competitions.
Am I allowed to use flashing lights on my bicycle?
Flashing front headlights and rear lights are not permitted on public roads in accordance with §67 (5) StVZO (German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations). Front lights may also be equipped with daytime running lights and high beam functions for white light, and rear lights may be equipped with brake light functions for red light.
What penalties apply for not having lights?
Anyone who participates in road traffic without the prescribed lighting or with lighting that is not working must expect to pay a fine. Depending on the offence, warning fines may be imposed, especially if other road users are endangered.
In addition to possible fines, the personal risk of accident increases significantly. In the event of an accident, missing or non-approved lights can also lead to contributory negligence. Proper and functioning bicycle lights are therefore not only a legal requirement, but also a significant contribution to your own safety.
Technology & Performance Features
What is the difference between lux and lumens?
Lumen indicates the total amount of light produced by a lamp. Lux, on the other hand, describes how much light actually reaches a specific surface. While lumen measures the total output (brightness), lux is decisive for practical illumination (illuminance).
How many lux and lumens should a lamp have?
On lit paths and roads, lights with 30-60 lux and 100-300 lumens are sufficient. The darker the environment and the faster the speed, the stronger the light should be: unlit paths 60+ lux and 300+ lumens, forest paths/trails 100+ (lx) and 700+ (lm).
What does glare-free illumination mean?
Glare-free illumination means that the light cone is shaped in such a way that oncoming traffic is not dazzled. High-quality bicycle lights have a special lens with a clear light-dark boundary – similar to that of a car. This ensures that the road is optimally illuminated without endangering others.
What beam pattern should a bicycle lamp have?
There is no general rule for what beam angle a bicycle light should have. Lights with a beam angle that illuminates both the area directly in front of the bicycle and the surrounding area to the sides are always recommended. This provides a wide field of light and significantly increases riding safety.
How long should a battery last?
The battery life should cover at least the planned duration of the journey – ideally with an additional safety reserve. For everyday journeys, two to four hours is often sufficient. For longer tours or night-time events, the lighting should last for several hours in powerful mode or have replaceable batteries.
What role does battery technology play?
Modern lithium-ion batteries enable high light output with a compact design and low weight. They offer constant brightness over a long period of time and are rechargeable. High-quality batteries also have protection mechanisms against overcharging and overheating – an important factor for reliability and longevity.
Lighting at Rad am Ring
A lighting system is mandatory for the 24-hour race during night-time hours. From sunset to sunrise, the lighting system must function properly and be in operation at the front and rear. Unlit bicycles may be stopped and/or disqualified at night.
For all other disciplines (except the 24-hour race), bicycle lighting is not mandatory. However, in certain weather conditions, e.g. rain, fog, etc., it is recommended that you be equipped with appropriate lighting.
Lighting systems must be particularly powerful and reliable for 24-hour races. During the night, riders often find themselves in complete darkness for long periods of time. This means that the lights must not only be bright enough to illuminate the track well, but also have a sufficiently long battery life. At the same time, the lighting should be robust, weatherproof and vibration-resistant so that it functions reliably even under the stresses and strains of a race.
Racing involves significantly higher speeds than normal road traffic. This reduces the time drivers have to react to obstacles or changes in the track. Good track lighting ensures that bends, inclines, descents or changes in the road surface can be detected early on. A wide and far-reaching light cone helps drivers to assess the track better and drive safely even at high speeds.
At night, the battery life of the lighting should always be longer than the expected driving time in the dark. It is advisable to plan for an additional safety reserve to cover unexpected delays or longer night phases. Many riders therefore rely on spare batteries or systems with replaceable batteries. Careful planning of battery life ensures that the lighting works reliably throughout the night and that safety on the road is guaranteed.
maintenance & care
How do I properly maintain my bicycle lights?
To ensure that bicycle lights function reliably and last a long time, they should be maintained regularly. After riding in rain, snow or on dusty roads, it is advisable to clean the housing and especially the lens with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Dirt can significantly reduce light output and impair visibility. You should also regularly check that the mount is secure and that the light is correctly aligned. The battery should also be charged regularly, as permanently discharging it can shorten its service life.
When should a battery be replaced?
With increasing use, every battery gradually loses its performance. Replacement may be advisable if the battery life becomes significantly shorter or the lighting loses brightness faster than usual. Even if the battery can no longer be fully charged or charging times are unusually long, this may indicate wear and tear. Modern lithium-ion batteries usually last for several hundred charging cycles before their capacity noticeably decreases.
How should I store batteries in winter?
If bicycle lights are not used for a long period of time, such as during the winter months, batteries should be stored in a cool, dry place at moderate temperatures. A charge level of around 40 to 60 percent is ideal. Extreme cold or heat can shorten the life of batteries. Therefore, they should not be stored permanently in unheated garages or very warm rooms. Proper storage helps to maintain the performance and life of the battery.
recommendations
How can I recognise high-quality bicycle lighting?
High-quality bicycle lighting is characterised by strong, even illumination of the road and reliable workmanship. It is not only the brightness that is decisive, but above all a well-shaped light cone that illuminates the road far and wide without dazzling other road users. High-quality models also feature robust housings, weatherproof designs and long-lasting batteries. Stable attachment to the handlebars or helmet and ease of use are also characteristics of good bicycle lights. Overall, high-quality lighting ensures better visibility, more control and a greater sense of safety when riding.
What distinguishes high-end systems from standard lamps?
High-end lighting systems differ from simple standard lamps primarily in terms of their light output, the quality of their optics and the technology used. While standard lamps are usually designed for short journeys in city traffic, high-end systems offer significantly stronger and more uniform illumination, which is also impressive at high speeds or on dark roads. In addition, high-quality systems often feature powerful batteries, intelligent electronics for controlling various lighting modes and particularly robust materials. This makes them more reliable, durable and suitable for use even under demanding conditions.
Is investing in premium lighting worthwhile?
High-quality bicycle lighting can be a sensible investment – especially for those who regularly cycle in the dark or on poorly lit routes. More light means better visibility of the road ahead and therefore more reaction time when encountering obstacles or unexpected situations. At the same time, cyclists become more visible to other road users. Those who frequently go on long rides, cycle for sport or train at night will therefore benefit particularly from powerful premium lighting. It not only increases comfort, but above all safety.
Where can I buy high-quality bicycle lights?
Our official lighting partner, Lupine, has been offering high-quality, powerful bicycle lights ‘Made in Germany’ for many years and knows exactly what ambitious cyclists need.
The Rad am Ring community receives a 15% discount on the entire Lupine range (excluding items already reduced) with the discount code ‘rad-am-ring-15’. The code can also be combined with Lupine’s 5% first-time customer discount!