Bike Lights Guide: Get Ready for the Clocks Going Back

Author: Gavin Hanna | Publish Date: 2026/10/11

The clocks go back an hour at 2am on Sunday 25 October 2026. That extra hour in bed is lovely, but from the Monday the ride home from work, school or the gym will be in the dark for many of us. Whether you cycle into Belfast, potter around Lisburn or head out on the country roads of Co. Antrim and Co. Down, now is the time to check your lights.

This guide covers what the law in Northern Ireland asks for, how bright your lights need to be, and what to look for in charging, mounting and beam pattern. At the end you'll find every bike light we have in stock, with links to buy.

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What the law says in Northern Ireland

The rules are set out in the Highway Code for Northern Ireland. Rule 60 on nidirect says that between sunset and sunrise your bike must have a white front light and a red rear light, both lit. It must also have a red rear reflector, and amber pedal reflectors if the bike was made after 24 January 1996. The same rule says flashing lights are permitted, but recommends a steady front lamp if you're riding where there are no street lights. White front reflectors and spoke reflectors will also help you to be seen.

The law behind these rules is the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000. nidirect's You and your bicycle page also reminds you to keep your lights and reflectors clean and in good working order. The Highway Code also suggests light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight and poor light, and reflective clothing or accessories such as arm or ankle bands in the dark.

Front and rear: what each one does

Your front light is white and does two jobs: it lets drivers and pedestrians see you coming, and a brighter one also lights up the road ahead. Your rear light is red and is all about being seen from behind, which is where most riders feel most exposed on a dark evening. You need both, and a matching set is a simple way to get them in one go.

Be seen or see with?

Lights are measured in lumens, and the right number depends on where you ride.

Lit town streets: in Lisburn or Belfast city centre, the street lights do most of the work, so your lights are mainly there to make you visible. A simple battery light such as the Smart Diamond front and rear twinset or a rechargeable front light of a few hundred lumens will do the job for most riders.
Unlit roads and lanes: once you're out on the country roads between towns, your front light has to show you the potholes, verges and wet leaves. That's where a high-output light such as the Ravemen K1400 (1400 lumens) or K1800 (1800 lumens) earns its keep. The Ravemen LR500S (500 lumens) sits in between and suits mixed commutes.

Treat these as a rough guide rather than a rule. If you're not sure, tell us where you ride and we'll suggest something sensible.

Ravemen K1800 front light fitted to a road bike handlebar

For rear lights, the Ravemen TR30 and CL05 give up to 30 lumens, and the TR250 gives up to 250 lumens on its flashing mode, which Ravemen says is visible from up to 1.8 km away.

Ravemen TR250 rear light lit on a road bike seat post at night

Batteries, charging and run time

Most of the Ravemen lights we sell charge by USB. The K1400, K1800, LR500S, FR300 PRO, TR250 and CL05 use USB-C, and the TR30 uses micro USB. The K1400, K1800 and FR300 PRO can also act as a power bank in a pinch.

Run time depends on the brightness you choose. Ravemen's chart for the LR500S, on our product page, shows how much difference it makes: about 1.6 hours on 500 lumens, 2.8 hours on 300 lumens, 7.5 hours on 100 lumens and 15 hours on its 200 lumen rapid flash. So for a long winter commute, a mid setting is often the smart choice. Not every product page lists run times, so if it matters to you, ask us.

Ravemen LR500S run time chart for each brightness mode

Battery lights still have their place. They're cheap and simple, and they're ideal as a back-up. The Smart Diamond lights run on two AAA batteries, and Smart quotes up to 80 hours steady and 160 hours flashing.

Mounting and beam pattern

A good light is only useful if it stays put and points the right way.

Handlebar mounts: the K1400 and K1800 come with a handlebar mount and can also be mounted upside down with a GoPro-style interface. The FR300 PRO fits Garmin quarter-turn computer mounts and comes with Wahoo adaptors.
Seat post and rack mounts: the TR30 and CL05 fit 24 to 36 mm seat posts, and the TR250 fits round or aero seat posts, saddles and backpacks. If your bike has a rack, our carrier-fit rear lights bolt straight on.
Beam pattern: a light that dazzles oncoming traffic isn't doing anyone a favour. The LR500S has a curved lens inspired by car headlights that gives an even, wide beam with side visibility, and the K1400 and K1800 have a wide-angle lens designed to reduce glare for pedestrians.

Daytime flash and smart features

Lights aren't just for night time. In the grey, wet afternoons we get in Northern Ireland from November onwards, a daytime flash helps drivers spot you sooner. The FR300 PRO has a 300 lumen daytime flash, the K1400 and K1800 have an intelligent daytime mode, and the LR500S has a daytime-visible rapid flash.

Some of our rear lights are clever too. The TR250 brightens when you brake, and many of the Ravemen lights switch themselves on and off automatically when you start and stop. The CL05 has a light sensor that gives a warning flash when it detects headlights coming from behind. The Ravemen NT201 adds radar that warns you of vehicles approaching from up to 140 metres behind, via a Garmin, Wahoo or Hammerhead bike computer. The Ravemen NT301 has a built-in 2K rear camera that connects to your phone.

Ravemen NT201 radar rear light lit on a bike seat post

Reflective kit

Lights do the heavy lifting, but reflective kit helps too, and it doesn't need charging. We stock reflective yellow arm or leg bands, a hi-vis yellow vest and a red rear mudguard reflector for traditional mudguards. The bands go on an arm or a leg, so they work whatever you're wearing.

Reflective yellow snap-on arm or leg bands

Yellow hi-vis vest with reflective stripes

Lights for kids' bikes and e-bikes

Children cycling home from school in the dark need lights just as much as adults do. Our pair of LED bicycle lights is a simple, low-cost front and rear set suitable for kids' bikes, and the Smart sets are another good-value option. Do check that the lights are fitted where a pannier, basket or coat won't cover them.

On an e-bike you'll often ride a little faster, so it's worth choosing a brighter front light. Some e-bikes have lights built in, but if yours doesn't, any of the lights below will fit, and we can help you choose.

Why buy your lights from us

We're a family-run bike shop on Chapel Hill in Lisburn. When you buy lights from us, you can see them, feel how they switch on and ask which mount suits your bike. If you'd rather not fit them yourself, fitting a pair of lights costs £6.50 on our workshop price list. We're always happy to help you get them on straight and pointing the right way.

Every bike light we have in stock

These are all the bike lights and reflective kit on our website that are in stock or due in soon. Prices and stock are as shown on our website when this guide was written, so always check the product page for the latest. You can also browse our front lights, rear lights and light sets.

Frequently asked questions

Do I legally need lights on my bike in Northern Ireland? Yes, between sunset and sunrise. The Highway Code for Northern Ireland says your bike must have a white front light and a red rear light lit, plus a red rear reflector and, on bikes made after 24 January 1996, amber pedal reflectors.

Are flashing lights allowed? Yes. The Highway Code says flashing lights are permitted, but recommends a steady front lamp where there are no street lights.

How many lumens do I need? For lit town streets, a modest light is usually fine. For unlit country roads, look at something like the 1400 or 1800 lumen Ravemen K-series. Come in and we'll help you choose.

Rechargeable or battery? Rechargeable lights are brighter and cheaper to run if you ride often. Battery lights are cheap, simple and make a great back-up.

Can you fit my lights? Yes. Fitting a pair of lights is £6.50 on our workshop price list.

Get lit up before the clocks change

Don't leave it until the first dark Monday. Call in to see us at 11-15 Chapel Hill in Lisburn, give us a ring or send us a message on WhatsApp, and we'll help you find the right lights for your ride, whether that's the school run, the commute into Belfast or the back roads of Co. Antrim.

John M Hanna Cycles
11-15 Chapel Hill, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, BT28 1EP
Phone: 028 9267 9575
www.jmhcycles.co.uk

Message us on WhatsApp Call 028 9267 9575 Shop bike lights

Tags: bike lights, bike lights northern ireland, clocks go back cycling, ravemen bike lights, rechargeable bike lights, lisburn bike shop

Bike Lights Guide: Get Ready for the Clocks Going Back

What the law says in Northern Ireland

Front and rear: what each one does

Be seen or see with?

Batteries, charging and run time

Mounting and beam pattern

Daytime flash and smart features

Reflective kit

Lights for kids' bikes and e-bikes

Why buy your lights from us

Every bike light we have in stock

Rechargeable front lights

Battery front lights

Rechargeable rear lights

Battery rear lights

Front and rear sets

Dynamo and classic lights

Reflective kit

Frequently asked questions

Get lit up before the clocks change