Bicycle lighting has two purposes: seeing and being seen. There are many types of bicycle lights available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. There is no one "best" solution for any rider, and many riders mix and match different technologies to provide the balance that works for them. For other uses, see Bicycle (disambiguation). ...

History

A carbide lamp

The earliest bicycle and car lights were powered by acetylene (carbide) lamps, now almost unused except by cavers. They were dim and temperamental, and the arrival of battery lamps was welcomed. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (640x760, 70 KB) Carbide lamp on a bicycle Source: German Wikipedia: de:Bild:Carbidlampe_001. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (640x760, 70 KB) Carbide lamp on a bicycle Source: German Wikipedia: de:Bild:Carbidlampe_001. ... Lit carbide lamp A French manufactured Carbide of Calcium lamp on a bicycle Carbide of Calcium lamp in a coal mine Carbide lamps also known as Acetylene Gas lamps are simple lamps that produce and burn acetylene gas (C2H2) which is created by the reaction of calcium carbide (CaC2) with...

Early battery lamps generally used lead-acid batteries, but these were replaced by self-contained cells; lamps became smaller and more reliable. At the same time dynamos were developed which generated energy from the bicycle's own movement. These were more practical, as storage density in batteries was at this time very low. A valve-regulated, sometimes called sealed, lead acid battery Lead-acid batteries, invented in 1859 by French physicist Gaston Planté, are the oldest type of rechargeable battery. ... For other uses, see Battery. ... Dynamo, or Dinamo, may refer to: Dynamo, an electrical generator Dynamo (sports society) of the Soviet Union Operation Dynamo, the 1940 mass evacuation at Dunkirk Dynamo, the rock band based in Belfast Dynamo theory, a theory relating to magnetic fields of celestial bodies Dynamo Open Air, annual heavy metal music...

Not all jurisdictions required use of lights after dark. In the UK the law requiring use of rear lights was resisted by cyclists' groups on the grounds that it downplayed motorists' obligation to be able to stop well within the distance they can see to be clear. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country in western Europe, and member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the G8, the European Union, and NATO. Usually known simply as the United Kingdom, the UK, or (inaccurately) as Great Britain or Britain, the UK has four constituent...

Replaceable-cell battery lights had a renaissance on the invention of alkaline batteries, with much higher storage densities. Moulding techniques for plastics also improved, allowing lens optics to be refined at low cost thus making more efficient use of the light output. During the 1980s the lighting market became more globalised: in Europe, the French "Wonder Lights" and Ever Ready brands gradually disappeared in favour of American, Japanese and German products. Alkaline batteries A Duracell AA alkaline battery 2 Duracell-Brand AAA Alkaline batteries Alkaline batteries are a type of power cell dependent upon the reaction between zinc and manganese dioxide (Zn/MnO2). ... This article is about the optical device. ... For the book by Sir Isaac Newton, see Opticks. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ...

In recent times there have been many advances: exceptionally efficient dynamos; cheap high-output sealed-unit halogen lamps originally developed for decorative lighting; improved storage density in rechargeable batteries driven by the computer industry; high-output light emitting diodes (LEDs); white LEDs; high intensity discharge (HID) lights crossing over from the automotive sector. The incandescent light bulb uses a glowing wire filament heated to white-hot by electrical resistance, to generate light (a process known as thermal radiation). ... Various light-emitting diodes (5 mm reds, 3 mm greens and yellows) A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that emits incoherent monochromatic light when electrically biased in the forward direction. ... 15 kW Xenon short-arc lamp used in IMAX projectors High-intensity discharge (HID) lamps include these types of electrical lamps: mercury vapor, metal halide (also HQI), high-pressure sodium, low-pressure sodium and less common, xenon short-arc lamps. ...

Lighting systems

Batteries, either rechargeable or disposable, are often used to power electric bicycle lights. For bicycle touring, commuting or if managing the batteries is just too much of a nuisance, powering the lights with a electrical generator, or dynamo, may be a better option. Unlike batteries, a dynamo has unlimited duration, but the maximum power output is relatively low. This is somewhat mitigated by good optics and slight overvolting of the lamp; a good dynamo nominally rated at 6 V is generally allowed to produce 7 V or so by its voltage limiting circuitry. In Germany, it is illegal to use bicycles without a dynamo-based lighting system except on "racing bicycles" below 11 kg.^[1]This has stimulated the market for high quality dynamos such as B&M or Schmidt. For other uses, see Battery. ... Rechargeable batteries are batteries that can be restored to full charge by the application of electrical energy. ... A disposable product is a product designed for cheapness and short-term convenience rather than medium to long-term durability, with most products only intended for single use. ... A type of touring bicycle Bicycle touring is a leisure travel activity which involves touring, exploring or sightseeing by bicycle. ... This article is about machines that produce electricity. ...

The cheapest bicycle headlights use a tungsten filament lamp. A more expensive, but brighter and more battery efficient alternative are halogen lamps. The brightest type is the high-power high intensity discharge (HID) light, which requires special circuitry and a powerful battery. Some self-contained light-emitting diode (LED) headlights are now a viable alternative to more conventional bicycle lights, although many are only suitable for either being seen or emergency use. With the rise in performance from recent LED lighting systems it is likely that such LED systems will become much more popular. Light bulb redirects here. ... The incandescent light bulb uses a glowing wire filament heated to white-hot by electrical resistance, to generate light (a process known as thermal radiation). ... 15 kW Xenon short-arc lamp used in IMAX projectors High-intensity discharge (HID) lamps include these types of electrical lamps: mercury vapor, metal halide (also HQI), high-pressure sodium, low-pressure sodium and less common, xenon short-arc lamps. ... LED redirects here. ...

Lighting decisions may be driven by the power source (e.g. tourists may prefer a dynamo system) and by the amount of light required (e.g. off-road riders may prefer a HID rechargeable), but often it is a matter of personal preference or local availability. A low power headlight and a rear red LED often suffice for cycling at low speeds in familiar areas with sufficient ambient lighting. In more challenging conditions, upgrading to a more powerful headlight is recommended. The drawbacks of more powerful lighting may include some combination of greater weight, greater expense, and shorter run time.

A common setup for a bicycle commuter might include: Bicycle commuting is the act of commuting to work or school by bicycle, a common form of utility cycling. ...

• a quartz-halogen headlight powered by a rechargeable battery pack or dynamo
• a LED tail light, either steady or flashing/pulsating
• a flashing/pulsating LED front light for conspicuousness

Legal requirements

Under the International Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (1968) of the United Nations, a bicycle is a vehicle. Article 44 of the Convention stipulates that: "Cycles without an engine in international traffic shall: (c) Be equipped with a red reflecting device at the rear and with devices such that the cycle can show a white or selective-yellow light to the front and a red light to the rear." In some countries, for example France, it may be an offence to even sell a bicycle not fitted with legally compliant lighting system. However not all countries impose this requirement on their domestic cyclists. The Vienna Convention on Road Traffic is an international treaty designed to facilitate international road traffic and to increase road safety by standardising the uniform traffic rules among the contracting parties. ... UN redirects here. ...

Many jurisdictions require bicycles to be fitted with reflectors at point of sale. In the United States this is regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC compliant reflectors (also commonly fitted in other markets) have three retro-reflective panels positioned at 30° angles. The standard requires a forward facing white reflector on the front of the bicycle, sideways facing white reflectors on each wheel, a red reflector mounted on the rear, and yellow reflectors mounted on the front and back of each pedal. Some interpret this as an endorsement of reflector-only night cycling. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (U. S. CPSC) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government created in 1972 through the Consumer Product Safety Act to protect “against unreasonable risks of injuries associated with consumer products”. As of 2006 its acting chairman is Nancy Nord, a...

Many jurisdictions require the use of a headlight and a rear light or reflector after dark. Most European countries and some US states require front and rear lights at night, while others allow reflectors only at the rear. Individual jurisdictions define specific legal requirements in terms of light output and the size of lamp and reflector lenses, compliance with specified standards, or simply stipulate a minimum distance from which any lighting device should be visible. In some jurisdictions, some safe and practical systems (usually involving LED based flashers) are illegal because blinking lights are only allowed on emergency vehicles, but those rules are rarely enforced.

UK requires a light approved to BS 6102 Part 3: 1986, but allows additional non-standard lights. In practice this means that users of powerful rechargeable systems need to add an additional light to meet legal requirements. Recent changes mean that a flashing LED may be used, but only if it has no steady mode. National cyclists' organisations such as LAB (US) or CTC (UK) are a source of lighting information.

Safety

The use of lights for night riding is recommended as a basic safety precaution, but there appears to be no reputable published evidence that this (or most other conspicuity aids) has a measurable effect on safety. Most authorities hold to the view that lights are an important safety aid for night riding even in a well-lit urban context, and some studies show a correlation between collisions and failure to use lights.^[2] Positive linear correlations between 1000 pairs of numbers. ...

It is generally believed that reflectors alone are inadequate for night riding (almost all cycling organisations unconditionally advocate using a headlight at night), but the Consumer Product Safety Commission and other regulatory agencies have declined to mandate the inclusion of active headlamps with new bicycles, citing increased costs compared to benefits and the fact that most bicycles are not ridden at night.^[3][4] The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (U. S. CPSC) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government created in 1972 through the Consumer Product Safety Act to protect “against unreasonable risks of injuries associated with consumer products”. As of 2006 its acting chairman is Nancy Nord, a...

It has been estimated that 75% of bicycles used in the United States at night do not meet the legal requirements for lighting^{[citation needed]}. This may be because the majority of unlit cyclists are riding in urban areas with many streetlights, and bicycles are not required to be sold with a headlight. A streetlight in front of a red sky at night A street light, also known as a light standard, is a raised light on the edge of a road, turned on or lit at a certain time every night. ...

Front lighting

Modern LED headlight

Image File history File links Fahrradlampe-led. ... Image File history File links Fahrradlampe-led. ...

LEDs

Cyclists who only occasionally ride at night may opt for an inexpensive LED front light and rear LED flasher. Red or yellow LEDs suitable for use as rear lights have been available for many years. Recently, white LEDs which satisfy the requirements for a front light have come on the market, and some jurisdictions have made or are considering making these legally acceptable. Very high-power LEDs are sensitive to overheating and over-driving, if the enclosure or driving electronics are poorly designed. Both of these conditions significantly shorten the LED's lifespan, causing them to dim or completely burn out, and LEDs are expensive to replace. Most LEDs have a higher luminous efficacy than halogen lights, but poorly designed driving electronics can negate the advantage. LED redirects here. ... Luminous efficacy is a property of light sources, which indicates what portion of the emitted electromagnetic radiation is usable for human vision. ...

Low-power LEDs are adequate for riding on well-lit streets, but do not generally project a very bright beam as it is difficult to collimate the output from multiple LEDs into a single usable beam. This can be overcome by using a few very high-power LEDs - each with their own optics. It is now possible to buy LED equivalents for halogen rechargeable systems (including drop-in replacement bulbs), and LED lights for dynamos. On a dynamo, LEDs produce more light than halogen lights at very low speeds (down to 3 km/h according to one manufacturer). Collimated light is light whose rays are parallel. ...

High-power LED systems often include an option to dim the LEDs. LEDs are well-suited to dimming, as halving the brightness usually more than doubles the battery life. By contrast, halving the brightness of a halogen bulb only slightly increases battery life.

Efficiency is set to increase, as LED technology continues to follow a Moore's Law pattern of exponential efficiency and cost improvements. As very high power LED lights become available and start to replace halogen designs, they may replace incandescent lamps whatever the power source, and will probably challenge HID lights. A 3-watt LED offers similar light output to a basic 10-watt halogen bulb - compare this with current generation "very high brightness" LEDs at 0.05 watts. Gordon Moores original graph from 1965 Growth of transistor counts for Intel processors (dots) and Moores Law (upper line=18 months; lower line=24 months) For the observation regarding information retrieval, see Mooers Law. ... For other uses, see Watt (disambiguation). ...

Advantages of LEDs

• Long battery life in flashing mode
• High luminous efficacy
• Last nearly indefinitely if the light is well designed
• Can be dimmed, usually with a slight gain in efficiency
• Instantaneous turn on/off

Disadvantages Luminous efficacy is a property of light sources, which indicates what portion of the emitted electromagnetic radiation is usable for human vision. ...

• Limited light output, especially in steady mode for many models
• Some models do not run as long on rechargeable cells as on alkalines; environmental concerns
• Illegal in some jurisdictions

Low power LED lights are mainly for "being seen", or as an emergency backup, and are the dominant choice for rear lights; higher power LEDs are now moving into the core market for illumination and are subject to rapid technical development.

Home made LED lights

As with high-power halogen systems, high-power LED systems have attracted self-build enthusiasts, as the top-end commercial products tend to be expensive, due to low production volumes. It is also possible to incorporate state of the art technology months or even years before it reaches the marketplace in retail products.

Low-cost battery lights

Low-cost battery lights can be a good choice for occasional use, and usually meet legislative requirements. But the saving can often be negated by poor battery life. These lights are low-power but compensate this to some extent with good optics. Some newer models have LEDs instead of halogen lamps, which are illegal in some jurisdictions.

Advantages of low-cost battery lights

• Low cost
• Readily available (both lights and batteries)

Disadvantages

• Cost of batteries, unless they are rechargeable. This stops it being "low-cost".
• Generally low power

Flashlights

There are some high-power flashlights with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Although not specifically designed for bicycle use, these are a viable alternative to rechargeable halogen lights, though they are still expensive. They can be fastened to the bicycle handlebars with a device called a "Lock Block." Look for a flashlight that has an adjustable spot to flood beam. Although the optics of these flashlights are generally high quality they are still rotationally symmetrical (unlike motor vehicle lights).

Advantages of rechargeable flashlights

• Versatile - can also be used as a flashlight off the bike
• Portable, so theft resistant

Disadvantages

• Limited burn time
• Heavy (rechargeable systems generally separate the weight of the battery from the lamp); weight may be an issue for off-road riders due to vibration
• Optics not optimised for road use

Halogen lights

Although these lights were primarily designed for off-road use, where they are almost universal, many commuters and transportational cyclists now choose to use high-power halogen front lights which operate from a NiMH, lead-acid, or Li-ion rechargeable battery pack. NIMH or NiMH may refer to: National Institute of Mental Health, a part of the United States National Institutes of Health. ... Li-Ion Camera Battery Lithium ion batteries (or Li-ion) have become very common and dropped in price recently. ...

The lights used by most halogen rechargeable systems are cheap, bright but fairly simple: they project a cone of light (wide and narrow beam options are available) which is good for off-road use but not ideal for road use as it can dazzle oncoming road users. This is why rechargeable halogen lights do not meet legal requirements in some jurisdictions.

Many systems use standard commercial prefocused optics, making a wide range of power and beam width combinations available. Most systems allow simultaneous connection of different lamps - for example, a wide and a narrow beam for off-road riding, or a high- and a low-power beam for road riding.

Advantages of rechargeable halogen systems

• High power output
• Readily available
• Reasonable battery capacity
• Very reliable
• Can usually be easily removed from the bicycle or to prevent theft
• Lamps are cheap and widely available.

Disadvantages

• Limited run-time between battery recharges
• Hassle of being certain to keep batteries charged
• Batteries have limited life, typically 500-1000 recharge cycles
• Power cycling reduces lamp life

HID lights

High-intensity discharge (HID) lights are the brightest lights currently available for bikes. They are very efficient, very bright, but expensive. They also tend to have high power consumption (although they use less power than halogens for higher output), so a relatively limited burn time. Otherwise they have the same advantages and disadvantages as rechargeable halogen systems, and like halogen systems they are designed primarily for off-road use, having rotationally symmetrical beams which cast as much light up as down. An additional disadvantage compared with halogen or LED lights is that the HID lamp does not tolerate repeated strikes, and in many cases does not relight immediately after shutting down. Likewise, should the battery level fall too low, the lamp will shut down rather than dimming. But the longer battery life than halogens tends to negate these problems, as many riders simply switch the light on and leave it running throughout the ride. High-intensity discharge (HID) lamps include the groups of lamps commonly known as mercury vapor, metal halide, and high-pressure sodium. ...

Advantages of rechargeable HID systems

• Very high power output
• High luminous efficacy

Disadvantages Luminous efficacy is a property of light sources, which indicates what portion of the emitted electromagnetic radiation is usable for human vision. ...

• Expensive
• Lamp requires warm up before reaching full output power and/or luminous efficacy

If using a HID lighting system on the road, lights should be adjusted to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic. Luminous efficacy is a property of light sources, which indicates what portion of the emitted electromagnetic radiation is usable for human vision. ...

Rear lighting

Filament lamps

The only real advantage to these is that they are often omnidirectional, being visible through a very wide arc. Newer LED lights have this feature, making lights based on filament lamps obsolete. Energizer once made a 2.4W halogen rear lamp, which was essentially a headlamp with a red lens, but most rear lights only need to be around 0.5W. Energizer Holdings (formerly Eveready Battery), headquartered in St. ...

LEDs

Most LED lights will work in either flashing or steady modes. Flashing lights have been shown to be three to five times more visible than a steady light of equivalent brightness. But it has been found that people tend to underestimate the distance to flashing lights and that drunken drivers are attracted by them, and there is evidence that they are harder to place than a steady light.^{[citation needed]} Some LED lights have multiple banks of LEDs allowing both flashing and steady light at once. This can also be achieved by having one flashing light and one steady one.

In many countries, LED flashers are the norm for rear lights. In others such as Germany flashing lights are forbidden by law. In the UK flashing LEDs (front and rear) are legal from October 2005.^[5] Many vendors claim EU compliance, however this provides no consistent safety or legal value across the Union.

The most common power source for rear LEDs is a set of alkaline cells and rechargeable cells. In both cases the battery tends to fail quickly when it goes; it is widely considered good practice to have two rear lights in case a battery fails en route.

Advantages of LED rear lights

• Compared with incandescent lamps, near-infinite service life
• Bright
• High luminous efficacy
• Cheap
• Usually a choice of flashing or steady

Luminous efficacy is a property of light sources, which indicates what portion of the emitted electromagnetic radiation is usable for human vision. ...

Xenon strobes

An innovation in bicycle lighting, though common in industrial applications, xenon strobes are brighter than LEDs and are used by some as rear lights.

Advantages of xenon strobes

• Very bright

Disadvantages

• Relatively expensive
• High power consumption (short battery life)
• Lamps require fairly frequent replacement
• Intense light can be a serious irritation to other road users
• Brief flash followed by darkness, can interfere with night vision
• Brief flash followed by darkness, can make judgement of cyclist's position difficult

Police bicycles

Bicycles intended for police bicycle patrol are outfitted with special colored lighting, generally blue and red, to alert the surrounding public of the officer's presence. These lights can flash in a variety of patterns, sometimes supplemented with a siren, to help the officer make his or her way through crowded streets or sidewalks in case of emergency. A popular method of supplying power to police bicycle lights is to encase the battery in a bottle-shaped container which can fit into the bicycle's water bottle holder. This article is about the bird-women of Greek myth. ...

Power supplies

Batteries

Low self-discharge batteries

The introduction of the Low self-discharge NiMH battery (LSD-NiMH) in 2005 made rechargeable AA and AAA sized batteries more viable for powering LED bicycle lights. Previously, the self-discharge effect of NiCAD and NiMH batteries caused the battery to run down over a period of weeks or a few months, even when not in use. This was particularly a problem for low powered LED lights, and for users who only used their bicycle lights occasionally. The LSD-NiMH battery greatly reduced the self-discharge effect, allowing the battery to keep its charge for a year or more. ‹ The template below (Expand) is being considered for deletion. ... An AAA battery is 44. ... Various light-emitting diodes (5 mm reds, 3 mm greens and yellows) A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that emits incoherent monochromatic light when electrically biased in the forward direction. ... The nickel-cadmium battery (commonly abbreviated NiCd or NiCad) is a popular type of rechargeable battery for portable electronics and toys. ... NIMH or NiMH may refer to: National Institute of Mental Health, a part of the United States National Institutes of Health. ...

External battery packs

For higher-powered lights, an external battery pack is often required. These battery packs usually strap to one of the horizontal bars on the bike, or come in the shape of a water bottle to mount in the bike's water bottle holder. A cable connects the battery pack to the light.

Dynamo systems

Shimano Nexus hub dynamo

Dynamo systems are probably the most widely-used worldwide, although they are uncommon in North America and Australia (having been almost entirely replaced there by battery-powered lights). They make users self-sufficient, as there are no batteries to recharge or replace, and are permanently fitted to the bike. Bicycle dynamos produce alternating current, so are more correctly called "alternators" or "generators", but the word "dynamo" has stuck in universal usage. There are three main types: hub dynamos are built into the front hub, and are generally the most efficient; bottle dynamos attach to a fork leg and are rotated by a small wheel in contact with the tire sidewall, they are generally easiest to obtain and cheapest while Europen designed tyres generally feature a raised "track" to run the generator's wheel; bottom bracket dynamos bolt between the chainstays behind the bottom bracket and are powered by a roller against the tyre, these are easy to fit and do not wear the tire sidewall. A fourth type is a spoke-mounted electromagnetic system, such as that sold by Reelight. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2288x1712, 754 KB) Summary Shimano Nexus Inter-L hub dynamo on Giant Boulder. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2288x1712, 754 KB) Summary Shimano Nexus Inter-L hub dynamo on Giant Boulder. ... City lights viewed in a motion blurred exposure. ... A hub dynamo is a small electrical generator built into the hub of a bicycle wheel to power lights. ... Bottle dynamo mounted on a bicycle. ... Steel frame and carbon fiber fork of 2000 LeMond Zurich racing bicycle. ...

Dynamos are generally limited to 0.5 A output, nominally 3 W at 6 V, although 12 V dynamos are available and the best nominal 6 V dynamos can produce 6 W at speed, as detailed here. A dynamo behaves as a constant-current device, not constant voltage; this means that the voltage can exceed the capacity of the lamp at speed, causing failure. Historically this was a nuisance, but modern lamps and dynamos often incorporate zener diodes to prevent it, and dynamos can be designed to "saturate" beyond a certain voltage to protect the lamp (saturation is a feature of all permanent magnet generators). Good dynamos can achieve efficiencies of up to 70% (i.e., under 5 W of the rider's output is diverted to produce 3 W of electricity) and provide full output at surprisingly low speeds, often 4 to 6 mph (6 to 10 km/h) is sufficient for full brightness. Zener diode schematic symbol A Zener diode is a type of diode that permits current to flow in the forward direction like a normal diode, but also in the reverse direction if the voltage is larger (not equal to, but larger) than the rated breakdown voltage known as Zener knee... Miles per hour is a unit of speed, expressing the number of international miles covered per hour. ... Kilometre per hour (American spelling: kilometer per hour) is a unit of both speed (scalar) and velocity (vector). ...

To compensate for their limited output, dynamo headlights have good optics which focus the limited amount of light in a narrow beam that lights up the road directly in front of the bicycle; this can be seen in Andreas Oehler's side-by side comparison of beam patterns.

To produce light when the bike is stationary, the best dynamo lights have a stand light facility, usually a single blue-white LED powered by a capacitor, which runs for around five minutes. It is now common to use all the dynamo's output to power the front light; the alternative is a 2.4 W headlight and a 0.6 W tail light. Most good dynamo rear lights now use LEDs instead of incandescent lamps. Increasingly, dynamo headlights use LED light sources for the main beam as well as the standlight; some manufacturers include B&M, Supernova (both German) and Solidlights (British). In these newer lamps, the dynamo output requires substantial cleaning up and rectification by electronics before it can be used to drive an LED, whereas a conventional filament lamp will run happily on the "raw" AC from the dynamo. See Capacitor (component) for a discussion of specific types. ...

Hub dynamos are generally considered the best but require a wheel to be rebuilt if retrofitted (the existing rim can usually be reused). Some bikes are available with hub dynamo lighting systems as a factory option; this can be very cost-effective.

Some riders consider the output of dynamo lighting insufficient. Others report that it is adequate to see on dark roads at speeds up to about 20 mph (single 3 W) or more if a 12 V system is used. LED headlights typically give 2-3 times the light output of a halogen lamp for the same power, due to their greater efficiency^[6].

Advantages of dynamo lighting

• Unlimited burn time
• Always there
• High-efficiency optics that are designed to maximize the available power for the lamp (optimised for road use)
• Reliable (although see below for issues with bottle dynamos)
• Environmentally friendly and cheap to run
• Unattractive to thieves

Disadvantages

• Bottle dynamos are noisy, can slip when wet, and wear the sidewall of the tire
• Without standlights, when stopping the lights are off
• Limited power output
• Cut out at very low speeds (below walking pace)
• Difficult to remove where theft / vandalism are a problem
• Cheap dynamos produce noticeable drag
• Halogen bulbs run by a dynamo have a relatively short life (around 100 hours)

Supplementary lighting and conspicuity

Headtorches

Headtorches are a useful adjunct to bicycle lights. They can be pointed without steering the bike, giving useful "fill-in" lighting especially on poor or very dark roads. They also allow the wearer to read road and directional signs placed on high signposts.

Some rechargeable systems offer a head torch option powered from the main battery pack.

Automatic turn signals worn on hand

In recent times, automatic turn indicators became available. They react to a change of orientation (an angle) in relation to Earth gravity; they blink only when a cyclist's hand is out-stretched to indicate a turn^[7].

Reflective and high-visibility materials

Retro-reflective materials, in the form of reflectors, reflective tape, and reflective clothing, are useful in making a cyclist visible to other road users. Reflective materials can be applied to bike, rider, luggage, and tyres are available with reflective sidewalls. Retroreflectors are clearly visible in a pair of bicycle shoes. ...

On the bike

Reflectors and reflective tape provide additional visibility (especially when applied to moving parts of the bicycle) and are mandatory in many jurisdictions. Pedal reflectors in particular are very visible to following traffic as they move up and down^[8]; unfortunately they are not compatible with most clipless pedal systems, although adaptors are available for some, mainly older SPD models, and a few single-sided designs are available with built-in reflectors. In the UK, where front and rear pedal reflectors are compulsory after dark, most cyclists with clipless pedals are therefore riding illegally. The law is rarely, if ever, enforced, but could potentially be used in court to reduce financial compensation if the cyclist was hit by another vehicle. The CTC have suggested that the requirement could be waived if the cyclist fits an additional rear reflector and/or lighting, but this was not changed in the last revision of the UK vehicle lighting laws (which permitted flashing LEDs). Riders of recumbent bicycles have pointed out that the pedal reflector requirement is nonsensical for them, since the reflectors point straight up and down in use, and are invisible from other vehicles. As of 2008, California law allows white or yellow shoe reflectors (front and back), or reflective ankle bands, in lieu of pedal reflectors. CTC, the Cyclists Touring Club, is the United Kingdom and Irelands largest and longest established cycling membership organisation. ... Tandem recumbent bicycle manufactured by BikeE A recumbent bicycle is a variety of bicycle which places the rider in a seated or supine position (rarely, in a prone position). ...

Reflectives are visible only when in the beam of a headlight, and even then only within a narrow locus. Importantly, they do nothing to light up the road. Reflectors are not a substitute for lights.

Clothing

On dark roads reflective materials such as 3M's Scotchlite will show up boldly in car headlights. Evidence shows that bright material on the sleeves can prompt drivers to give more passing distance. Retroreflective materials can discourage some oncoming motorists from dipping their headlights, as the rider become less visible if they do. Scotchlite (TM) is a material made by the 3M company that is made of millions of glass beads cut in half and affixed to the surface. ...

The colour of lighting should be checked in the rider's area. A single solid colour can disappear under artificial light, particularly yellow sodium vapour lighting, and colour blindness is common; red/green colourblindness can make yellow fluorescent vanish against a green background (hedges or grass). Although people with red/green colourblindness dispute this. Vests with both yellow and orange fluorescent plus wide strips of reflective may be the best solution.

In recent times electroluminescent clothing has become available to add to the existing array of LED-illuminated armbands and helmet blinkies. An electroluminescent helmet has been patented. Animation of LCD, both unlit and with electroluminiscent backlight switched on Electroluminescence (EL) is an optical phenomenon and electrical phenomenon where a material emits light in response to an electric current passed through it, or to a strong electric field. ... Bicycle helmet A bicycle helmet is designed to provide head protection for cyclists. ... Animation of LCD, both unlit and with electroluminiscent backlight switched on Electroluminescence (EL) is an optical phenomenon and electrical phenomenon where a material emits light in response to an electric current passed through it, or to a strong electric field. ... Bicycle helmet A bicycle helmet is designed to provide head protection for cyclists. ...

Measures of light output

Three units are used to measure light output. Manufacturers do not always quote the most appropriate figure - for example, watts are commonly used, but wattage alone is a poor measure since (a) it reports the consumption of power rather than the output of light, and (b) lamp optics will significantly impact the proportion of the light which is delivered where you want it, for example concentrated in a nsrrow beam or dispersed as in a running light.

Watts

The watt (W) is the unit of power, and is usually quoted for the electrical power input, not the light power output. Electrical power is the product of voltage and current (watts = volts x amperes). Input power is only useful when comparing lights of similar technologies. A 3 W halogen dynamo headlight will light the road up about the same as a rechargeable light of around 7–10 W, but the rechargeable usually outputs much more light to the sides, which is useful on trails (although wide and narrow beam versions are available). A 3 W LED is somewhat brighter than a halogen lamp but generally less well focused. HID lights put out large amounts of light and are often quoted in terms like "80W halogen equivalent". For other uses, see Watt (disambiguation). ...

Candela

The candela (cd) is the SI unit of luminous intensity. It is the luminous intensity in a given direction of monochromatic light source of frequency 540×10¹² Hz having a radiant intensity in that direction of 1/683 watt per steradian. The measured intensity of a light depends on many factors, including the colour of the light and the eye's sensitivity to that colour, the optics involved, reflector and lens. Despite its complexity, it is a more useful measure than Watts, because it defines how much usable light is shed in a given place: a dynamo headlight designed for road use and focused for seeing the road makes more efficient use of the power of the lamp than lights using rotationally symmetrical optics. Photopic (black) and scotopic [1] (green) luminosity functions. ... The International System of Units (symbol: SI) (for the French phrase Système International dUnités) is the most widely used system of units. ... Luminous intensity is a measure of the energy emitted by a light source in a particular direction. ... In physics, intensity is a measure of the time-averaged energy flux. ... The steradian (ste from Greek stereos, solid) is the SI derived unit of solid angle, and the 3-dimensional equivalent of the radian. ...

Lumens

The lumen (lm) is a derived unit for luminous flux. It is the luminous flux emitted into unit solid angle by a non-directional point source having a luminous intensity of 1 candela. Solid angle is expressed in steradian (sr); the solid angle subtended by a surface at a given distance is defined as the surface area divided by the distance squared. That is, one lumen is the luminous flux that falls on each square metre of a sphere of 1 m radius around a 1 cd light source; i.e. 1 cd = 1 lm/sr. Lumens per watt is a common measure of the efficiency of a light source. The luminous flux of a light source is of little value in isolation, as the light is changed by the optics. Luminous intensity is much more useful, but lumens per watt is a handy way to compare the output of otherwise similar lights. The lumen (symbol: lm) is the SI unit of luminous flux. ... Luminous flux is a measure of the energy emitted by a light source in all directions. ... The steradian (ste from Greek stereos, solid) is the SI derived unit of solid angle, and the 3-dimensional equivalent of the radian. ...

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