Did you know that it is mandatory in Singapore to have lights on your bicycle when riding in the dark?
Even if it isn't, it's probably a good idea to increase your visibility as much as possible, especially when riding on the road!
Here's a guide for beginners to choosing the right light for your bike when you embark for your next night cycling session.
1. Lux and lumens
Lux and lumens are the units of measurement for the brightness of a light source.
- Lumens is a measurement of the overall brightness of the light, from all directions.
- Lux is the measurement of intensity of light on a given surface area.
2. To see or be seen?
You will need to think about the type of riding as well as where you will be cycling.
Are you riding at high speed or at a leisurely pace? Will it be well-lit or dark where you're cycling?
If you're riding at a low speed and it is well-lit, you will mostly just need to be seen by other motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
So you can prioritise lightweight or low cost versus brightness.
However, if you intend to ride fast, and will be in dark areas, you will want to invest in a light that can help you see where you're going, but costs more or is slightly bulkier.
3. Lights to be seen with
Lights to be seen with generally put out between 5 - 15 lumens.
The intensity (lux) is not measured, as overall brightness from all directions is more important to fulfill this function.
With a lower output, the LED and batteries used can be of lower capacity, so such lights tend to be more accessibly priced, such as the VIOO 100.
Check out the chart below for the detailed stats of each light in our range!
Our recommendation: elops clip 900
POWERFUL rechargeable, two-tone visibility bike light that clips on anywhere, whether on the cyclist or on the bike, to BE SEEN day and night.
Versatile & convenient
Visibility: 17 to -56 lumens Visible from 180° in continuous or flashing mode.
Long-lasting: White boost 3h White eco 7h White flash 6h Red continuous 4h Red flash 9h
Versatility: WHITE or RED 5 modes Clip / elastic mount / self-adhesive mount
Waterproof: IPX 4: withstands spray and heavy, persistent rain.
Lightweight: 57 g. Take it everywhere with you.
4. Lights to see with
Lights to see with are rated based on their intensity in Lux.
Bike lights from Decathlon start at 10 Lux and go all the way to 40 Lux, as seen in the chart below.
Lights that meet French & German road requirements have a more focused beam to avoid glare for oncoming road users.
Thus they tend to have slightly higher Lux ratings for a given power output.
Our recommendation: elops fl 920
The powerful USB-powered FL920 LED bike light can switch between white and red light, letting you fix it to the front or rear of your bike as you choose. Easily attaches to your bike's handlebars or seatpost.
See what our users have to say:
"For brightness, this is one of the best yet visible from far."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Chrisrobin, Singapore
Powerful & versatile
Visual efficiency: Powerful 11 lux Wide beam. Effective at sustained speeds on roads and trails.
Visibility: 200 lumens Continuous or flashing mode
Autonomy: 1½ to 3 hours of battery life. Charges via USB
Versatility: 5 modes (WHITE and RED) Universal elastic strap (included)
Waterproof: IPX4: withstands spray and heavy, persistent rain.
5. Rear lights
With all this talk about lux and lumens, it's easy to forget that we also need rear lights to make sure we can be seen by motorists and other cyclists from behind.
As rear lights are only for being seen, they are rated by lumens and tend to output between 5 - 15 lumens.
Our recommendation: elops rl 520
USB rechargeable, 5 hour battery life, IPX4 water resistance rating, with built-in lock function. This USB-rechargeable rear bike light is designed to keep you visible. It can be locked in place with a key to deter would-be thieves.
Security on and off the bike
Visibility: 4 lumens Visible from 220° Continuous mode. Certified for road use
Long-lasting: 5 hours in continuous mode, rechargeable via USB.
Versatility: RED (1 mode) Elastic mount that fits all seat posts
Waterproof: IPX 4 rated - withstands spray and heavy, persistent rain
Theft resistant: lockable with a special key for all seat post sizes
6. Power source: battery-operated or rechargeable?
As technology advances and the cost of high-capacity rechargeable batteries comes down, USB rechargeable lights are becoming more and more commonplace.
However, depending on where you intend to ride, and accessibility to a charging point, you might also want to consider old-fashioned coin battery operated lights.
Another benefit of battery lights is that you can quickly swap them out mid-ride unlike USB lights where you would need time to recharge, even if you had the foresight of bringing a powerbank.
Our recommendation: elops st 110 set
Our design teams created this battery powered front and rear bike light set so you can SEE and BE SEEN. Uses standard AA and AAA batteries for easy replacement.
See what our users have to say:
"Uses batteries which you can buy at shops while cycling if the batteries go flat. Light rain does not affect it. Good product."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Norami, Singapore
Easy-to-replace batteries
Visual efficiency: 25 lux and 15 lux (ECO mode) Narrow beam Effective at low speeds
Visibility: Power: 3 lumens (rear) Visible from 220° from behind
Long-lasting: Front fixed: 33 hours Front fixed ECO: 44 hours Rear fixed: 102 hours
Versatility: WHITE (2 modes) and RED (1 mode) Universal elastic mount
Waterproof: IPX 4 rating - withstands spray and heavy, persistent rain.
That concludes our guide on choosing a suitable bike light for your specific type of riding.
We hope you found this beginner's guide useful, and if you need any more tips or advice, feel free to check out our Cycling Sports Advice below!
