From 1 April 2022, fast e-bikes (pedal assistance up to 45 km/h) but also slow e-bikes (up to 25 km/h) must be equipped with a stationary daytime running light on all public traffic areas. We will show you how you can retrofit concretely and what needs to be considered.
The increased visibility is intended to increase safety for e-bike riders and avoid accidents. According to the new regulation, only the front light must be switched on in daylight and good weather conditions, and installation of the rear light is sufficient.
Passive visibility
In particular, sporty e-bikes in the road bike, gravel and MTB sector are usually delivered in the factory equipment without appropriate lighting and must be equipped or retrofitted accordingly if you do not want to risk fines. It should be emphasized that the duty only concerns passive visibility. For example, the e-bikes must be equipped with lights that are easily recognizable to other road users over a distance of 100 meters. Nevertheless, for safety reasons, it is worthwhile to install a light that meets the legal requirements at the same time, but also gives e-bike riders an increased viewing radius. A request from our daily commuter experience: Set the light so that it does not dazzle oncoming traffic. By the way, this is required by law, but above all you protect the nerves of the other road users.
Bringing light into the darkness
For riders who are also on the road in the cold season and on unlit roads, we recommend the Supernova Mini 2 Pro, which can be connected to the bicycle battery and has a daytime running, low beam and high beam function. The Vis-E from Light&Motion also draws its energy requirements from the e-bike battery and withstands shocks thanks to its robust design. Therefore, it is particularly interesting for e-mountain bikes. This variant is available in the 500 as well as in the 800 lumen model. The PWR Road 700 from Knog is a headlight option whose battery can be modularly combined with other Knog products and can also be used as a power bank for smartphones. If you are looking for a minimal solution that works exclusively as a passive light source, you could be looking for the Cobber series from Knog: These different products with different luminous intensity for the front (yellow) and back (red) work simply and uncomplicatedly. With an elastic band, which comes in different sizes, the lights can be attached to handlebars or frames and offer 330° visibility. Charging is practically via integrated USB port.
Sustainable protection on the road
In addition to legal conformity, protection and visibility for cyclists on the road is vital. For the entire Tempo-Sport team, wearing a helmet is therefore an absolute must. Bright clothing, reflective elements or a bright yellow safety vest can become a lifesaver, especially on short winter days. In addition to an attentive riding style, the highest level of safety is still ensured by a well-maintained bike. Of course, our workshop team is also at your disposal for this, so that the next trip will certainly not be the last.
Author: Claudio Meiler, Tempo Sport
