Bike Lights - Why Aren't They Like Car Lights?

I'm going to throw this out there hoping to spark a discussion about bike lights. We all worry about fellow cyclists posing as bike ninjas (dark clothing, no lights). 

So why isn't there a law to add lights automatically powered by the bike (hub lights) to every bike that's built? We have those lights for Divvys, why not add them to all new bikes? 

So if you agree or disagree, all POVs welcome. Just want to hear from you and wondering if this is a good, logical idea or asking too much of bike safety legislation or cost prohibitive or ??

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Permalink Reply by David Altenburg on February 28, 2017 at 12:01pm

I'd also add theft to that list. I've had my dynamo lights on my commuter bike for 2 years with no theft of them, while it would only take forgetting to remove my battery-powered lights once or twice when locking up on the street before they'd get lifted. It's really nice to not have to remove lights when locking up to run into a store.

Permalink Reply by Colin Hayes on March 2, 2017 at 8:14am

I see your 8 hours and raise you to a number closer to infinity than 8.

But also, my lights are bolted to the bike, so I don't have to worry about taking them off every single time I park the bike, never have to worry about leaving them at home or going dead without warning. In addition, my headlight's reflector is designed to evenly illuminate the road in front of me up to like 30 feet away and not blind any oncoming traffic. All this for a bit more of an initial investment and 7 watts.

It's worth it to me, I love my lighting setup.

Permalink Reply by HumanPoweredTransportation on March 2, 2017 at 9:07am

so what's this headlight you have?

Permalink Reply by Colin Hayes on March 2, 2017 at 9:17am

It's the Schmidt Edelux II

Permalink Reply by HumanPoweredTransportation on March 2, 2017 at 9:35am

thanks!

for the curious, $176 what looks to be a super light and no messing with a battery pack:

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/schmidt-headlights.php

Permalink Reply by Jeremy Bloyd-Peshkin on March 2, 2017 at 9:40am

For a less expensive (but no less functional) option, you might also be interested in the Busch & Muller lights. Their Lumotec range is especially good, and Comrade Cycles has them in stock so you can look at them. You can get a very solid Lumoteq Cyo for ~$90, and it comes with a standlight and passthrough if you want to run something else off the dynamo as well. I have one of the Cyo IQ lights and a BikepPacker Pro light from K-Lite, and I can definitely recommend both. Excellent products. 

Permalink Reply by Colin Hayes on March 2, 2017 at 9:43am

It's ~$50 cheaper (116eur) if you order it from a site like bike24 in Germany. I ordered a ton of stuff from them, including the SON delux hub for 175eur, for this build and it was only 20eur for shipping

Permalink Reply by Duppie on February 27, 2017 at 8:30am
One word: cost.
Permalink Reply by Jane on March 2, 2017 at 7:48am

Agree about the fancy lights, but please consider USB charged ones? Around $30 a pair and just a reliable and bright, seem to be ok in winter temperatures as well.

Permalink Reply by Grace Van Moer 8.25 mi on February 28, 2017 at 4:43am

Taking the convo in a slightly different direction, have you seen this lighted helmet?

https://lumoshelmet.co/

Pretty spendy still at $169, but has some great features.  If I was commuting in the dark, I'd consider investing in one of these.

Permalink Reply by Colin Hayes on March 2, 2017 at 8:15am

One of my students has that! My only gripe with it is the proprietary electrical plug to charge it.

Permalink Reply by HumanPoweredTransportation on March 2, 2017 at 8:58am

these can be great to be seen, and they can be IN ADDITION to standard on-the-bike lights, such as manufacturers could be required to install before sale to stores/customers.

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