Thousands of people will walk up and down the promenade again this autumn, shining the light on their faces. A bike lighting is required by law – but how is this properly installed? Tips for properly attaching the bicycle lights.
At least since the time change to the winter time, it gets noticeably darker earlier. Cyclists have to fix their lights correctly or they risk to dazzle oncoming traffic or not be noticed. “The lighting should be adjusted so that other road users are not dazzled at a great distance,” says Angela Bultmann of the Minster police.
It should be noted that too high a setting lights directly into the eyes of others, while a too low setting is not detected early by other cyclists. As can be seen on a graphic by Hofstadter.ms, the light cone must be below the headlight height and illuminate more than five meters:
If you want to play it safe, make the test at home: Simply place the bike five meters from a wall on which the headlight height is marked. If the light is above the mark, the headlight must be directed downwards. If he just lights the floor in front of the wall, he is clearly set too low and has to go up.
Which bicycle lighting is required by law?
In order to ensure safe traffic, the legislator prescribes, according to the General German Bicycle Club (ADFC), a whole series of headlamps and reflectors:
– A headlight and a white reflector
– a taillight and a red reflector
– circumferential reflective tapes on front and rear tires or yellow reflectors in the spokes or reflective spoke sticks in all spokes as well
– two yellow reflectors on the pedals
Information from the police
Angela Bultmann of the Minster police points out that even drivers, for example, of mountain bikes, on which no permanent lighting is appropriate, always remember to carry a mobile bike light at dusk and darkness and attach them at the latest at dawn and turn on. Flashing lights are – in principle – not sufficient as lighting, “permanent lights” are required.
Cyclists should also remember to wear bright, visible clothing with reflective fabric in the dark, especially during rush hour traffic. Because reflectors and reflective clothing increase the safety of cyclists significantly – so they are recognized by motorists already at a distance of 150 meters.
It is important to note that a functioning lighting is required for trips during the onset of dusk and darkness. “If there is no lighting – or if it is defective on the bike, this is usually a fine of 20 euros,” warns police spokeswoman Angela Bultmann. For example, the police in Minster are intensifying checks in the dark season. For the own as well as for the safety of the other road users basically, every cyclist should pay attention to a proper bicycle lighting at his Lee.