Bike lights

Riding without proper lighting during any kind of commute puts you at risk, especially in low-light conditions or heavy traffic. A good set of bike lights not only illuminates your path but also ensures that others on the road can see you. Front and rear lights are essential for safety whether you're cycling during the day, at dusk or in complete darkness. In many places, bike lights are legally required when riding at night, so having a reliable set is crucial for both safety and compliance. You can find all types of bike lights at MEC from brands like MEC Label, Lezyne, Garmin and more.

Safety/urban bike lights

On streets and bike lanes, there’s usually enough ambient light to see, so your bike lights are primarily for visibility to motorists, pedestrians and other cyclists. Small safety lights of about 10 lumens, powered by a coin cell battery, work well as backups or for unplanned after-dark rides. If you regularly ride at night, a brighter rechargeable version is a better choice. For commuting, a 60–150 lumen headlight provides sufficient illumination, while flashing lights are more attention-grabbing than a steady beam. Using multiple lights in different locations—on your handlebars, helmet, backpack, forks, under your seat or even on your arms or legs—can increase your visibility. Since it’s often difficult for motorists to see cyclists from the side, adding side lighting ensures you’re noticeable to drivers making left or right turns onto your street.

Trail and off-road bike lights

For places without streetlights, you need enough light to illuminate obstacles and give yourself time to react, with faster speeds and trickier trails requiring even more brightness. For trails, choose a focused headlight of 150 lumens or more, with the brightest lights mounted on your handlebars or helmet. Handlebar mounts are more comfortable since they don’t add weight to your head, but they can create shadows from obstacles. Helmet-mounted lights reduce shadows, but the beam may jump around as your head moves.

For more information on bike lights, check out our article on how to choose bike lights.