WHICH BICYCLE LIGHTS DO YOU NEED?
Good bike lights are not just important for being seen. As soon as you cycle outside of areas with street lighting, you want to be able to see where you are going yourself. But how much light do you need for that? And what do values like 20, 60, or 100 lux actually mean? We’ll help you choose the right bike lights for your ride.
Lux and lumen: what’s the difference?
When looking at bike lights, you will come across lux and lumen. Lumen indicates how much light a lamp produces. Lux indicates how much of that light reaches a specific surface.
You can see that difference in our range. The ACID PRO headlights are rated in lux and have a focused beam to illuminate the road ahead. The ACID Outdoor lights use lumen. These lights spread their light more broadly and are suitable for sporty use off public roads, for example. Therefore, do not just look at the highest number, but above all at the purpose for which a lamp was designed.
How much lux do you need?
The right light intensity depends primarily on where you are cycling.
20-30 lux | Lit city
For daily rides through streets and on bike paths with good street lighting. You are visible and have enough light directly in front of your bike.
40 lux | City and dark bike paths
Useful if your commute also includes stretches without good street lighting. You gain better visibility of the road ahead.
60 lux | Unlit roads
Do you regularly cycle outside built-up areas or on dark bike paths? With 60 lux, you can look further ahead and spot obstacles sooner.
100 lux | Completely dark roads
For rides where there is hardly any ambient light. Think of an evening ride on a road bike along dark country roads. Extra light is also pleasant at higher speeds because you need to be able to see further ahead. You can find these different light intensities within the ACID lighting sets.
And what if you go mountain biking in the dark?
You need different lights for a dark forest. You want to see not only what is directly in front of you, but also corners, roots, and other obstacles clearly. That is what the outdoor bike lights with a wider beam are intended for.
Here, the light intensity is usually indicated in lumen. The darker and more technical the trail, the more important a powerful and wide beam becomes. For a truly dark MTB ride, therefore, choose a powerful outdoor lamp instead of a headlight primarily developed for road use.
Are bike lights allowed to flash?
A flashing mode stands out, but when cycling on public roads in the Netherlands, your lights may not flash. Your front light must be white or yellow, your rear light must be red, and both must remain on continuously. Does your lamp have a flashing mode? Then you should not use it when participating in traffic.
When should you turn on your bike lights?
In the Netherlands, you must turn on your lights when cycling in the dark and when visibility is severely impaired during the day, for example, due to fog. Of course, you don’t have to wait until you can barely see anything. At dusk or during bad weather, lights make you visible to other road users sooner.
Which lamp fits your ride?
Do you mainly ride through the city? Then 20 or 30 lux is often enough. For dark bike paths, look towards 40 or 60 lux, and for completely unlit roads, go for 100 lux. If you are heading into a dark forest, choose a powerful outdoor lamp with a wide beam.