Tips & resources
Light up and be seen
You need to use front and rear lights when riding in dark conditions or at night so other road users can see you. Australian road rules say that you need a front white light and rear red light visible from at least 200 metres away.
A simple on-off flashing sequence makes your lights noticeable to other road users and helps them understand there is someone riding a bike up ahead.
Where to stick them
The best spots to attach your lights are your handlebars and seat post. This sets the lights at a height that is most visible to other road users.
Lights attached to bags or clothing often end up facing the wrong direction, while lights on helmets are less visible to drivers and can also be a menace to other bike riders.
What makes a good light?
When it comes to bike lights, we score them on seven different categories:
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High visible output (head-on and angled)
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Excellent water resistance
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Durability
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Ease of use
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Easy to fit to a bike
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Easy to charge or change batteries
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Secure attach/detach
Become a Bicycle Netwok Member before 11 June to score a free Knog light set!
Learn moreWhich lights are best?
We’ve ranked, rated and tested the best bike lights for value, durability, ease of use, and of course, visibility.
While riders only need to be seen at 200m to comply with the road rules, some choose a light that can light up the way ahead. So we’ve divided our test into lights to ‘be seen’ and those that are ‘to see’.
All lights on this list have been recommended and tested by staff at Bicycle Network with varied use from long days on the bike to commuting to work.
To see
Moon Meteor Vortex Pro 900L Front Light
Best light
Cygolite Dash Pro 600L Front Light
Best value
Be seen
BBB Ultrabeam Headlight Deluxe Light
Best light
Knog Plus
Best value
Rear lights
Knog Kobber light
Best light
Knog Plus (rear)
Best value
Remember when using lights to see, overly bright lights are a challenge for other path or road users. Be considerate and keep your lights pointed down when other riders or path users are coming your way.
Visibility
It's all in the legs
Reflective material
It’s not just lights that can improve your visibility – research shows that reflective full-length leggings and ankle bands can greatly improve visibility.
We’ve long recommended reflective ankle bands as a powerful visibility enhancement at night, and now there is convincing evidence that they are also effective during daylight.
Read more