Bike Lights: How Bright Is Bright Enough?

"In Part 1, we discussed the latest in bike-light technology and how you can make those advances work for you. Next, we'll take a look at your options."

On a bike, everyone needs a light to get safely through the night. But not all bike lights are created equal.

Before you buy a light for your bike, think about the kind of riding you'll be doing. This information is what you should use to determine whether or not you need the brightest LED light on the market or if you can get by on something a little cheaper.

Keep the following information in mind as you make your decision.

More: An Intro to Bike Lights: A Safety Tool for All Seasons

Be Seen by Others

Every cyclist needs a light at night to be seen by other traffic using the roadway. Cars, trucks and motorcycles need to be aware that you're out there competing for a place on the road. Even though it's dark, cyclists have the same rights to use the roadway as they do in daylight. We don't surrender those rights just because the sun goes down.

It's important to factor pedestrians into this equation as well. These days, crosswalks are only an afterthought when people want to cross a road on foot. I see more and more people, including mothers with small children, hustling across a busy highway right in the middle of the road. At night, you won't be seen unless you have lights. It's that simple.

To be visible to others, you won't need the $500 LED version that lights up the whole street. A 200 lumens light on the front of your bike will provide plenty of light for you to be seen at a distance of at least 20 or 30 meters.

More: Why Bike Lights are Important...Even in Daylight

To that end, you'll want lights on both the front and rear of your bike. Cars have the same setup. It's not just a coincidence. On the front of all bicycles, the law requires that the light be white. On the back, the light should be red.

Setting your lights to flash mode is the safer option in terms of visibility. This mode draws more attention to your presence, which is why the lights are there in the first place. However, if you're riding on poorly lit streets or on a trail where you need to see where you're going, the flash mode may not be your best choice.

Brighter Lights for Rougher Roads

It would be great if our roadways were freshly paved each year and swept clear of debris once a week, but unfortunately that isn't always the case.

More: 10 Things I Learned From Being Hit by a Car

If you actually want to see the roadway, that changes kind of light you'll need. If the roads you ride are really bad, think about buying a high-end light and one with a good battery.

Of course, the better the battery and the brighter the light, the more money you're going to spend. If you ride on trails or roads that don't have streetlights, you'll need something around 500 lumens or better to do the job right.

More: How to Choose the Best Bike Light for You

Mounting Your Light

Where to mount both the front and rear light is also a concern. Most cyclists choose to put their primary light on the handlebars. That's a good choice, but if you have a mechanical problem such as a flat tire, trying to fix it while holding your tire in front of the handlebars can be a pain.

For some, a helmet-mounted light or a handlebar light that can easily be detached is a better option. On trails, the light goes where your head turns. This can be just as helpful on the road too when you're making eye contact with vehicles. It's hard to miss that bright shining light when it's looking straight at you.

The rear light is a bit easier to sort out. Most riders prefer to mount the rear light on either the seatpost or seat stay. If you put the light on the seat stay, use a little transparent tape on the frame to protect the finish before you put on the mounting bracket.

More: 4 Bike Lights You May Not Know About

It's a good idea to check the mounting brackets on your lights periodically to make sure they're still securely fastened. Nothing ruins a ride home in the dark like a light that won't stay secure on the bike.

You'll also want to keep in mind that a lot of cyclists use their lights even when riding during daylight hours. The thought here is that anything one can due to increase the chances of being seen makes you even safer. That's never a bad thing.

Whatever you choose, make sure that it suits all of your needs before you buy it. You don't want to buy a cheap light only to find out later that it isn't exactly what you're looking for. It's better to spend as much as you need to and get it right the first time.

More: 8 Tips for Better Braking

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