What French law requires
The French Highway Code (articles R313-4 and R313-5) mandates lighting at night or when visibility is poor:
- Front: white or yellow light, visible from at least 150 m
- Rear: red light, visible from at least 150 m
- Reflectors: red at the rear, white at the front, orange on the sides (wheels or pedals)
- Reflective vest: mandatory outside urban areas at night
The fine for missing lights is 11 euros (class 1 offense), but the real risk is your safety.
Tip: even during the day, a front flashing light ("daytime flash" mode) significantly increases your visibility to drivers. Several studies show a 19% reduction in accidents with daytime flash mode.
Hub dynamo: autonomous lighting
A hub dynamo integrates an alternator inside the front hub. No batteries, no USB charging — it works as long as you ride.
Advantages:
- Unlimited range — you'll never run out
- Mechanical reliability — no exposed electronics
- Ideal for commuting and long-distance touring
Disadvantages:
- Rolling resistance: +3 to 7 W depending on model (the best like the SON 28 are around 3 W, entry-level around 6-7 W)
- Initial cost: 60-250 EUR for the hub alone (+ headlight + taillight)
- Front wheel replacement required
Reference models:
| Hub | Power | Resistance | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shimano DH-3N72 | 3 W / 6V | Medium | ~50 EUR |
| Shimano DH-UR700 | 3 W / 6V | Low | ~80 EUR |
| Shutter Precision PV-8 | 3 W / 6V | Very low | ~130 EUR |
| SON 28 (Schmidt) | 3 W / 6V | Very low | ~200 EUR |
Recommended dynamo headlights: Busch+Müller IQ-X (100 lux), Supernova E3 Pro 2 (205 lux), Busch+Müller Lumotec IQ2 Eyc (50 lux, budget).
Battery LED: the flexible solution
USB-rechargeable LED lights are the most common choice for urban and sport cyclists.
What matters:
- Lumens: 300-600 lm for a front light (city), 800-1500 lm for night MTB. Note that lumens alone don't tell the whole story — beam pattern matters too
- Battery life: look for at least 3h at full power, 8h in eco mode
- Waterproofing: IPX4 minimum (rain), IPX6 recommended (water jet)
- Mount: quick-attach Garmin quarter-turn or silicone strap — avoid screws that loosen
Reliable brands: Knog (Blinder), Lezyne (Macro Drive), Bontrager (Ion), Exposure, Lupine (high-end MTB).
Rear light: the Lezyne Strip Drive or Bontrager Flare RT are benchmarks. Look for a daytime visible flash mode (>20 lm).
