Bicycle lighting

The bike lights is a vehicle lighting on the bicycle. It is used while driving the driver to gain visibility on the roadway and to help other road users to perceive the bike quickly.

Is first used lighting types that have been adopted by other types of vehicles and adapted the design of the bike for the early bikes. This bicycle lamps and lanterns with candles as a light source, small oil lamps, oil lamps and carbide lamps came before.

Today the bicycle lights is electrically operated with active elements.

The illumination consists of active and passive elements, a power source and cabling. Active and passive elements differ in their function by the fact that active elements emit light - battery or dynamo operated - and passive elements only reflect strange light. Passive elements work without power.

• 2.1 Front Headlight
• 2.2 Rear Light

• 3.1 reflector

• 4.1 dynamo
• 4.2 Battery or rechargeable battery operation
• 4.3 parking light

Legal regulations

Germany

In Germany, for the operation of a bicycle on public roads, the construction of the bicycle lights law in § 67 of Road Traffic Licensing Regulations ( Lighting equipment on bicycles ) and the TA 4 ( ​​Constructional requirements), 6 (lamps), 14b ( tail lights for bicycles and their trailers ), 14c ( marker lights ), 18 ( reflectors ), 18a ( retro reflective strips on tires of bicycles ), 23 (headlights for bikes ) and 24 ( bike alternators ) regulated. Children's bikes are not affected by the rules for lighting, since this is not traffic regulations for vehicles within the meaning of the provision in accordance with § 16 para 2. A discussion since 1998 Fahrradausrüstverordnung ( FAusrüstV ) with changes of some of these provisions was rejected in 2006 by the Federal Council.

Required are:

• An alternator with an output of at least 3 W, whose rated voltage is 6 V, or a battery with a nominal voltage of 6 V ( Battery Duration lighting) or a rechargeable energy storage as an energy source. Notwithstanding paragraph 9 headlights and rear lights must not be switched on together. "
• A forward -looking headlights for white light
• At least one forward -looking white reflectors, these must be integrated into the front headlights
• A tail light to red light, the lowest point on the illuminating surface is not less than 250 mm above the road
• At least one red reflector, whose highest point of the illuminating surface is not higher than 600 mm above the road
• One with the letter " Z" marked red large area reflector ( the tail light and one of the reflectors must be combined in one unit)
• Forward and backward -looking yellow reflectors to the bicycle pedals
• Displaced at least two 180 ° mounted, acting according to the side spokes yellow reflectors on the spokes of both wheels or ring contiguous retro reflective white stripes on the tire or the spokes of both wheels.

In addition, be accepted:

• An additional, acting in stand tail light to red light
• Additional action by the side yellow retroreflective means.

The provisions of the Road Traffic are already outdated in some respects. There are now according to traffic regulations approved taillights, combine the taillight and auxiliary light in a single lamp and bicycle headlights, which have a side light to the front. Also would be by LED technology for an achievable with incandescent brightness significantly less electrical power sufficient. Due to the prescribed still 3 W power LED bulbs are much brighter.

The following exceptions apply to racing bikes with a maximum of 11 kg in weight:

• Instead of the alternator batteries for the operation of headlights and tail light may be used.
• Headlight and tail light need not be firmly attached to the bicycle; but they are carried and when required to use.
• Headlights and rear lights do not need to be switched together.
• The nominal voltage of the headlamp may be lower than 6V.

For the duration of participation in races road bikes are exempt from the requirements for illumination.

Since 2006, the illuminance of the headlight illumination in the core area, 10 meters away must be at least 10 lux by weight (see 10 lux control).

All components used must carry the German mark. This approval is issued by the Federal Motor Vehicle Office and can be identified by a registration number with a wavy line, the capital letter K and a number. For bicycles without fasteners to the frame using a removable clamped lamps. (Source? ), But they must also bear the mark. Whether other lights without the registration number can be tolerated depends on the discretion of the controlling officers.

The Dynamo obligation is estimated by the police union as technically obsolete. Beginning in January 2013 gave the Federal Ministry of Transport announced that a group of experts check the " photometric requirements " of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations. The audit should determine whether the current system, which requires a fixed mounted dynamo, is now technically obsolete and the Dynamo duty should be set aside in favor of battery-powered lights.

Since August 1, 2013 in addition to the dynamo and battery and battery-powered lighting for all types of bicycles is permitted. This brought in by the Federal amendment to § 67 paragraph 1 traffic regulations were passed by the Federal Ministry of Transport, the ADFC, Stiftung Warentest and other particular been criticized that battery lights set impractical to a voltage of 6 volts and the unchanged wording in § 67 paragraph 2 traffic regulations that lights must be " firmly attached " could lead to misunderstandings. Politically wanted was the release of the " long since become commonplace everywhere " so-called plug-in lighting. So said Vera Moosmayer, spokeswoman for the Federal Ministry of Transport, of " contained ambiguities ," the ADFC described the amendment as " a skillfully crafted bad". The Federal Government has introduced the provinces in September 2013 a draft amendment; the changes are according to the Federal Ministry of Transport " as soon as possible (expected spring 2014 ) will be implemented."

Austria

In Austria the active bicycle lighting requires no mark, neither wavy nor K- number. The passive lighting ( reflectors ), however, must ECE regulation "R 104 " or higher. Also there is no limit on how much light must shine on the bike (except for the front light, which must be at least 100cd radiate ) and through which power source the lighting system is operated. The light colors of the active illumination are white and pale yellow to the front or red ( which also may blink ) to the rear. Is defined such that the lighting from 15 km / h must fully effective and the headlamps must be firmly attached to the bicycle. This means that the like used in the previous front and backpack lamps are not enough. In the paragraphs below detail is to ensure that at legal notices the situation in the German road traffic is described. In Austria the Austrian bike Regulation for the active and passive lighting and for other bicycle component such as a bell or horn, brakes, etc..

Switzerland

In Switzerland, the lighting regulations are handled liberal.

Road Traffic Regulations ( VRV )

Article 30: Vehicle lighting in general ( Art. 41 SVG)

1 The vehicle shall be illuminated as soon as the other road users would otherwise not be able to recognize in time.

Ordinance on the technical requirements for road vehicles (VTS )

Article 216: Lighting

Bicycles must first when a lighting under Article 30, paragraph 1 VRV is required, with at least one white to the front and one to be fitted to the rear a red light on dormant light. These lights must be visible in good weather to 100 m at night. You can be permanently attached or removable.

2 lights of bicycles must not dazzle.

3 For the colors, additional lights Annex applies 10

4 direction indicators are only allowed on bicycles with closed bodywork.

Stand July 1, 2007

Active lighting elements

The prohibition of the further journey in the absence of lamp function has to be accepted in the absence of daylight ( at least for foreign risk ). The lack of lights or the defect can also lead to chargeable day warning.

Headlights

The headlights emits white light. The light source is either a conventional incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, or one or more LEDs. For the latter, the term LED headlamp has prevailed. The front headlight shines the light directed against the bike. The required shape of the beam is realized by the reflectors and, if applicable by lenses. The bulbs used in a dynamo -powered headlights and permissible according to traffic regulations have a power consumption of 2.4 watts at 6 V operating voltage ( or even 4.8 W at 12 volts). The front lights can additionally be equipped with a white parking light LED that is powered by a built- in lamp capacitor or by batteries.

Halogen Dynamo front lighting

Dynamo Front lighting

Rear Light

The tail lamp emits red light. The light radiates diffuse through a lens backwards. The light source is either a light bulb or one or more LEDs. The rear light is supplied either by the dynamo or batteries. The bulb of a dynamo powered rear light has a power consumption of 0.6 watts at 6 V. The most modern LED rear lights have a stand light function, which is powered either by batteries or via a charged while driving capacitor. Prescribed a parking light in Germany is not far. Especially battery powered rear lights have besides the continuous illumination also a flashing function, their use is not permitted under the German road traffic law, according to the Austrian road traffic law does. The purpose of flashing lights on the road is controversial.

Passive lighting elements

Reflector

Reflectors, also called retro - reflectors, reflect the light of other light sources (eg from vehicle headlights ) directly to these back. Thereby, the brightness impression is also dependent on the surface of the reflectors. Better recognizable as the " selective cat's eye " are therefore large surface reflectors. Are particularly important in the direction of travel of the rear ( red) and front ( white) visible reflectors, as they ensure a certain visibility, for example the event of failed self- lighting. They are therefore an important part of bike lights. The effect of reflectors the bicycle as a bicycle ( contour detection) make visible ( reflective materials to tires, rims spokes, pedals ) are controversial in their effectiveness.

The following reflectors are required by the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations traffic regulations:

• A white reflector to the front, which must be installed in the headlamps
• A red reflector to the rear, which may be attached to more than 60 cm above the floor
• A red large area reflector (Z- reflector); one of the two rear facing reflectors may be integrated in the rear light
• Each pedal in each case a forward and a backward -acting yellow reflector, additional reflectors are laterally acting permissible
• At least four ( two components each with two reflectors) yellow reflectors in the front
• At least four ( two components each with two reflectors) yellow reflectors in the rear

The reflectors in the wheels may alternatively be replaced by the following reflex products:

• Provided with two white reflective stripes tires

Or

• Two white, ring- coherent reflective stripe between the spokes

Spoke reflectors and reflective tires or spokes rings must be installed together. More yellow laterally acting reflectors may also be used.

More passive lighting equipment on bicycles are not allowed in Germany. It is at the discretion of the controlling officers to control other devices, but is not allowed in case of inadmissible reflectors shall not prohibit the onward journey.

Except for participation in races remain for the duration also known as sports equipment such as racing bicycles above with a weight below 11 kilograms.

Power sources on the bicycle

The active illumination is supplied to the bike from either a dynamo, a battery or a rechargeable battery. But it is also possible to produce a voltage on the eddy currents.

Dynamo

Almost all bicycle dynamos currently sold are AC generators that emit above their rated speed an approximately constant alternating current ( constant current source). After Highway Code, this current is 500 mA and has a 6 volt or more recently alternative 12 volt lighting are available from 15 km / h for feeding. This results in an electrical output of 3 watts ( 6 watts at 12 V lighting). The power drops to a typical minimum speed decrease and the lamp goes out when standing

When increasing the speed of travel and corresponding to the dynamo speed, the lamp power increases slightly. A control of the dynamo is not necessary for the normal operation.

There are different designs of bicycle dynamos:

• External Dynamo
• Roller dynamo
• Spoke Dynamo
• Hub Dynamo

The advantage of the dynamo is their constant availability. Disadvantages of Reibraddynamos (page runners, roller dynamo ) are slipping in wet or snow tires and the wear of the friction wheel and the roller and the tire - which also leads to slip. Other disadvantages of the most Reibraddynamos is their high running noise, dirt retention, the low effectiveness, which has a negative effect on the overall riding performance and availability. Modern hub dynamo, however, are almost silent, maintenance free and to weather and dirt almost insensitive. Moreover, they have a very high efficiency, so you will notice a hub dynamo in everyday use very little. The integration into the hub makes repairs expensive; retrofitting requires a Neueinspeichung of ( dynamo) hub. Avoid spokes Dynamos also the disadvantages of Reibraddynamos, however, the efficiency of current models is significantly lower than that of the hub dynamo.

The use of incandescent lamps at the Dynamo requires because of the approximate constant current characteristic of bicycle dynamos compliance with the specified for the Dynamos rated currents (at 6 -volt systems, for example, by the use of 6- volt bulbs with a rated current of 400 mA for the headlights and 100 mA for the tail light ). The use of lamps with higher current ratings is not possible, but at a sufficient speed, a second fixture may be connected in series.

Approved LED headlights and taillights fit the operation of the LED with electronic circuits to the power supplied by the dynamo. LED (or several in series) can be directly connected to a dynamo after rectification of the alternating current without a series resistor, provided that the maximum allowable current of the LED is large enough.

Battery or battery operation

Battery lighting typically works with 3 to 6 VDC. The lamps can be quickly attached to the bike and removed by plug-in system.

Advantageously, the ease of assembly and that in contrast to Dynamo operation of the driver's level of resistance is not increased, and that battery-powered lights also illuminate when the bicycle is. A disadvantage is that the light can not be operated indefinitely. It fails when the batteries are discharged.

August 1st, 2013, the exclusive use of battery or battery-powered lights for all types of bicycles is permitted in Germany in addition to a dynamo lighting.

In Germany, it is permissible to operate a functioning, based on dynamo lighting supply with a battery. Thus, most of the disadvantages of the different systems dynamo and battery lighting can cancel.

Since almost all produced dynamo operation in LED technology headlamps and taillights, partly in compliance with the connection polarity can be operated with 6 volts DC, a switchable battery supply is connected with relatively little design effort. Compared to a more complex retrofitting with a hub dynamo enable commercially marketed retaining plates for Cantisockel a more cost effective cultivation of a Reibraddynamos on most fork and frame designs.

Sidelights

Commercially available or already mounted are front and rear lights with parking light function. Such lights are on, for example, in the state of up to five minutes. The electrical energy required is either removed whilst driving from the dynamo and in a special capacitor ( supercapacitor ) stored in the light or removed a battery inside the light. In LED headlights and LED taillights, a single LED can assume the function of the parking light.

Connection and wiring

The wiring is necessary for the dynamo powered lighting to connect the dynamo is electrically connected to the lamps. In principle, a distinction is single-core and two-core wiring. In the single-core cabling for the power via a cable to the lamp is passed. The frame, Porters and other bicycle parts are used as the return line (ground). Disadvantage is that corrosion or paint layers can lead to high contact resistance or to an interruption of the flow guide. With the two-wire cabling, the disadvantages are avoided.

To improve durability and appearance, the cables are run mostly by drilling through the frame. The place where the cable is routed into the frame is exposed to an increased risk of fracture and cable must be protected by suitable plastic parts. A disadvantage of this kind of cabling is that a replacement of the cable is very complicated, in part, the expansion of the bottom bracket is needed.

Sometimes metal foils are used to conduct electricity. On plastic parts such as fenders or carbon frame copper foils are glued to conduct electricity. To make electrical contact connection parts are riveted. Because of unprotected routing and mechanical stress occur frequently contact problems due to corrosion of the films and relaxation of riveted joints.

The contacting of the cable to the dynamo and bicycle lamps is nowadays mainly via terminal and plug connections. The connection of plug connections with crimped connectors ( 4 and 6.8 mm) to be very reliable. Until the 1970s cables are connected as easily adjustable connection at Dynamo via a knurled nut.

Especially inexpensive bikes are equipped with single-core cabling and / or thin lines. The problem of thin lines is less the higher internal resistance than the lower mechanical stability. Retrofitting of two-wire lines, possibly with a higher cross-section, the replacement of existing film wiring through conduits and the use of plug-in cable shoes increase the reliability significantly. Corresponding connectors and weather-resistant cable with a larger conductor cross -section and appropriate clamping tools are available in the automotive parts and electronic commerce.