Electric Bike Lighting – What Matters

Only if your electric bike is fitted with a good light can you ride safely in the dark – whether it's on a cycle path, a road or a trail. This is not only a logical empirical value, but also a legal requirement. Under the chapter "Lighting equipment", the StVZO lists various lighting elements that must be fitted to a bicycle when riding on the road. These include the classic components of bike lights such as headlights and rear lights, but also front and rear reflectors as well as spoke and pedal reflectors. Although there may be deviations here depending on the type of bike and where it is used – for example on road bikes or electric mountain bikes – in principle, this requirement also applies to electric bikes.

And for good reason: not only are you usually faster on an electric bike than on a classic bike, but you may also use it more often. Modern lighting systems make riding an electric bike much safer in the early morning or evening. Thanks to the technical requirements of electric bikes in terms of bicycle electronics, the lighting options on pedelecs are very diverse. There are now brake lights and daytime running lights for electric bikes. In many cases, lighting is already installed on new electric bikes. However, you can of course also replace these with a better light or one that you like better. The lighting can also often be retrofitted to older electric bikes.

Riders of S-pedelecs, i.e. electric bikes that support speeds of up to 45 km/h and require a license plate and insurance, must also ride with lights on during the day. The regulations for lights on S-pedelecs are stricter, so most manufacturers fit the appropriate equipment ex works. So when replacing your bike, make sure that the new electric bike lighting also meets the specifications.

As with many other bike parts, the right electric bike lighting depends on what kind of pedelec you own and how you use your bike. If you ride home at dusk every day, you may need a more powerful light for your pedelec than someone who only cycles to a restaurant in the dark every now and then. Some e-mountain bikers even ride trails in the dark – they then need a particularly bright lighting system. Many also rely on head lights, although these are not permitted on the road.

Either way, in many cases you don't need your own battery for your electric bike lighting. As already mentioned at the beginning, many modern electric bikes and e-mountainbikes have the option of connecting the lights directly to the rechargable battery. Conventional lights powered by a standard dynamo are therefore hardly ever used on electric bikes.

Lights for electric bikes are available in a wide range of price and quality levels. The trend is towards modern LEDs: manufacturers are using powerful LED lights for both front headlights and rear lights. Below we explain which types of lights you can find in our range of electric bike lights.

Current electric bike front lights are often much more versatile than classic bike lights thanks to the generous rechargeable battery. For example, high-quality models offer different lighting levels so that electric bikers can switch their light brighter or dim it as required. However, many electric bike headlights can now do even more: for example, they have a high beam, comparable to a car headlight, which is designed to illuminate the path in the best possible way. Some cannot be switched on via the electric bike's remote control, while others have their own button on the handlebars. A parking light or daytime running light are also integrated into many models and further increase safety. The automatic switch-on function is practical on top models:

Rear lights on electric bikes have also undergone further development. Some now have an integrated brake light, for example – very similar to those found on cars. These electric bike rear lights therefore offer even more safety for the rider in road traffic.

Want to buy new lights for your electric bike? Below we have listed the most important criteria that you should pay attention to when buying a new lighting system.

• Luminous intensity: Manufacturers usually specify lux and lumen as the unit for the brightness of electric bike lights. Lumen describes the luminous flux of a lamp. Lux describes the illuminance that hits a surface. Most lights have different levels in which the luminosity is dimmed.
• Light field: For your electric bike lighting, however, it is not only important how powerful your lighting is, but also how it illuminates your surroundings. The lights differ, for example, in how wide the light cone is. In addition, the sides of the light cone are stronger on some lamps to better illuminate the potentially darker area.
• Lamp equipment: With many electric bike lights, the lamp is powered by the rechargable battery. Very often, the light can also be controlled via the electric bike display. Also important are the various lighting modes, which can save battery power if necessary. The locking mechanism between the bike and the light is also a factor that you should pay attention to when buying.

Which brings us to the attachment of the lights to the electric bike. The lights often come with simple clamps for the handlebars or seatpost. However, there are also rear lights that are integrated into a fender, for example. Some manufacturers also offer special mounts, e.g. for mounting on the stem. This allows you to attach or remove your light quickly and easily. In our category for lighting accessories, you are guaranteed to find the right mount for you and other practical light accessories.

There are now numerous lighting options for electric bikes in all price ranges. The lighting can often be powered directly from the electric bike battery. When buying, it is important to consider where you want to be riding in the dark. For example, it makes a difference whether you are commuting in road traffic or looking for a light for night-time trail fun in the forest.

Important: For all bikes that are used on the road with an electric bike, the lights on the electric bike must also comply with the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO) – otherwise fines will be imposed.