Lighting and StVZO
That's why a traffic-safe bicycle is so important
Cycling means freedom: No traffic jams, no waiting for buses or trains and self-determined speed.It promises pure joy.In order to keep having fun on a bike, the road-safe equipment of the bike is essential – for your safety and that of other road users.Learn all you need to know about bicycle lighting and a traffic-safe bicycle.
Traffic-safe bicycle according to the StVZO (German Road Licensing Regulation)
Checklist for safe cycling
The German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO) determine which elements a bicycle must have. If parts such as reflectors are missing at a police checkpoint, the fines will start to add up. That’s one reason why the right bicycle equipment is so important. The prescribed components for a road-safe bicycle according to the StVZO in Germany at a glance:
- Front light (dynamo or battery operated)
- White reflector in front
- Red rear light
- Red reflector at the rear (integrated in the rear light also possible)
- Four yellow spoke reflectors, alternatively reflective white strips on the tyres or spokes
- Two independent brakes
- A sufficiently loud bell
- Non-slip and screwed-on pedals with reflectors
Safety knows no boundaries. The StVZO also recommends the following components for particularly safe cycling:
- Fenders
- A rack
- A multi-speed drivetrain
- A kickstand
- A chain guard
- A bike lock
The lighting
The front light
Seeing and being seen – this is important for cyclists in traffic, especially in the dark. For this, a bike needs the right lighting. The front light is bright white at best and should have at least a light intensity of 30 lux. The centre of the light cone must be at most half as high as the light is above the ground at a distance of 5 m. If you’re unsure, simply have it checked in a workshop.
The rear light
Red light shines at the rear of properly equipped bikes. A benefit: When setting your bike up with lights, you often get the lights in a set.
Lighting traffic control
The police also check whether bicycles are safe for road use during traffic checks. Important: The lighting must be attached even in daylight and must be functional.
The reflectors
Just as important as the front and rear lights: The reflectors or cat eyes. A white reflector is required at the front, a red large-area reflector at the rear. The cat eyes must be at least 25 cm above the ground. Most bicycle manufacturers now integrate the reflector into the respective light, which is also in line with the law. The wheels each require two yellow spoke reflectors. Instead of the reflectors in the spokes, the StVZO also allows bicycle tyres with white reflective strips.
Exceptions for road bikes
For road bikes under 11 kg, exceptions to the above-mentioned regulations on bicycle lighting apply. For example, road cyclists do not have to attach their lights during the day. However, even journeys at dusk or even through a tunnel require the use of the lights on a bicycle. In this respect, we recommend that road cyclists always have their lights.
The brakes
Good braking is the heart of a safe bicycle. According to the StVZO, two independent brakes on the front and rear wheels are required. The reason: If a brake fails, the bike can still stop. What kind of brakes you choose is up to you.
The choices are:
- Disc brakes: Brake pads press against a brake rotor.Even in wet conditions and on any terrain, the braking performance is very good.
- Rim brakes: Opposite brake pads press against the rim.When dry, a rim brake offers good braking performance.
- Coaster brakes: An internal brake acts on the rear wheel.An additional front brake with hand lever enhances the braking power.
- Drum brakes: Brake pads are pressed against a drum from the inside, the brake is attached to the hub.The drum brake offers good braking performance even in wet conditions.
- Spoon brakes: A rubber pad presses against the tyre tread.The wear is high, the braking power is rather low, resulting in the spoon brake no longer being up-to-date.
The bell
You can get bicycle bells in many different designs to meet any style needs. More important, however, is how well it works: A bell must be so loud that pedestrians and other cyclists perceive it even in the event of traffic noise. In addition, the rider must be able reach the bell comfortably from a grip. By the way, the law does not allow horns and tyre bells.
The pedals
If you want to sit firmly and safely in the saddle, you also need non-slip and tightly bolted pedals on a bike. The StVZO prescribes two yellow reflectors on each pedal: One reflector in the front, one in the rear.
Chain guards, fenders & co.
In addition to the legal regulations, the StVZO issues recommendations. Practical benefits: Even more safety when cycling.
These recommended components include fenders. They protect cyclists and bicycles from dirt, moisture and stone impacts. A fender is especially important on the front wheel, so that dirt, stones or splash water do not get into your eyes. A chain guard is also part of the recommended bicycle accessories. It also protects against dirt, but in particular ensures that trousers do not get caught in the chain.
Safety recommendation
The StVZO also recommends a rack, a kickstand, a good bicycle lock and a multi-gear drivetrain. This way, riding and stopping the bike will be as safe as possible.
Do pedelecs and e-bikes have the same rules?
The pedelec – an electric bicycle in which an auxiliary motor supports the pedal power up to a speed of 25 km/h – is legally a bicycle. In this respect, the same rules apply as for regular bicycles. The S-pedelec , whose motor can support a speed up to 45 km/h, is not a bicycle. For this electric bicycle, the legal regulations for small motorcycles apply. E-bikes, which are operated without pedals, are also considered small motorcycles and are subject to the relevant regulations.
This is how much lux the bicycle lighting needs
Dim lighting or blinding front lights - not all lights are the same. This also applies to bicycle lights. Formally, the lighting intensity of bike lights in given in lux. The lux value indicates how high the light output is on a lit area.
In determining the lux value, the illumination intensity is measured perpendicular to the road surface at the centre of the beam at a distance of 10 m. However, the light intensity depends on the light distribution. A higher lux value therefore does not necessarily mean a brighter lighting result. The problem with the measurement of lux is that the lux value always refers to the amount of light on a defined area. Lasers, for example, have very high lux values because they bring a large amount of light onto a small area. Nevertheless, no one would come up with the idea of mounting a laser pointer as lighting on a handlebar, because the illuminated surface is far too small.
From theoretical to practical: The range of products offered by most manufacturers and also by CONTEC is between 15 and120 lux, the minimum required illumination is set at only 10 lux. In order to see something, the new front light should produce at least 20 lux of light output.
This is how much lumens the bicycle lighting needs
The lumen unit is also the guide value for bicycle lights, which takes into account the total radiation output of the luminous flux . The higher the lumen value, the higher the emitted light per unit of time. Or roughly: The higher the value , the brighter the light. For comparison: A candle lights up with about 12 lumens.
But a high lumen value says little about the quality of the illumination. When riding a bike, you should always look forward so that you know what is coming at you. In the dark, this is only possible with a light. If the light has a high lumen value but a too large beam angle, it may be that everything around you is bright, but you are still riding into a dark wall after 10 m. Especially when it is dark, it can be unsettling. So the direction of the light and the angle of the beam of the light also plays a big role.
Buying a traffic-safe bike: The all-round carefree package
Most city, trekking or touring bikes already have StVZO-compliant equipment. It is best to check directly with your dealer whether your desired model has all the important characteristics. An annual check-up is also worth it if you buy a traffic-safe bicycle directly. This way you avoid unnecessary fines and enjoy the pleasures of cycling to the full – safe and worry-free.
Adjusting a front light correctly
To find out how to adjust the front light of your bike, read more in another how-to.
Installing lighting
Your bike doesn't have lighting yet? No problem, we'll show you how to install.