There are many different bicycle lights to choose from, and it can be difficult to choose the best one for your needs. Things to consider include the type of light bulb, the power source, and where you want to mount the light to your bicycle.
Bicycle head lights are those mounted to the front of your bicycle that are white and help you to see ahead of you and helps others (drivers and pedestrians) see you. Depending on your riding conditions, you may settle for a cheap headlight system that is more to help others to see you to prevent accidents, or you might need a bright light to help you find your way on a dark bicycle path.
Depending on the length of time and frequency of your nighttime riding, you may decide on an alkaline battery powered light, or one that you can charge while at work before your evening bicycle commute home. The type of light bulb (LED, and halogen are two common types) can affect how long the battery lasts, and also the price of the system.
Rear bicycle lights are always red and are strictly to help others behind you to see you. These lights can be set to blink mode or steady. Blink mode is essential to your safety especially while riding on a road at night. The blinking will help draw attention to you while a steady light might else be overlooked. These lights most commonly use LED bulbs. Some rear bicycle lights can be seen a great distance, while others might not be bright enough to be seen quickly by drivers in conditions where there are many other lights around.
Different types of bicycle lights also have different power sources. The simplest and most basic are standard non-rechargeable alkaline batteries. These batteries are cheap, but they are wasteful. However, they tend to last a very long time. Many bicycle lights these days are using lithium-ion batteries. These small compact batteries hold a long charge and can be recharged hundreds of times. Many lithium-ion powered lights can even be charged from the USB ports on your computer giving you a quick and easy way to charge your lights without having to use a dedicated charging adapter.
While headlights are typically mounted to your bike's handlebars, many lights can also be fitted to your helmet. By having the light on your helmet, it enables you to direct the light to exactly where you need it. This can be helpful in intersections since it allows you to direct the light right at a driver to help them notice you. Rear lights are typically mounted to your seat post, but many can also be mounted to your clothing or a backpack.
Although there are many different types of bicycle lights to choose from, it is essential that you have lights on when you ride in low light conditions or at night. Your safety depends on it!