Our Guide to Electric Scooter Lights

One of the great things about electric scooters is that they come with built-in lighting that makes riders more visible to passing drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and other scooter riders.

Lights should not be considered an accessory. They are a critical safety feature on an electric scooter even if you don’t plan to ride at night.

Low light conditions can sneak up when it gets cloudy or the sun descends at the end of a long afternoon.

And even when you can see others, there's no guarantee they can see you without lights and reflectors on your electric scooter and/or your clothing and helmet.

Why Electric Scooter Lights are Different

Lights are especially important when riding an electric scooter because they're so low to the ground.

Scooters can be invisible to drivers. A good lighting profile helps drivers see electric scooters as another motorized vehicle and make way.

At night, lights are non-negotiable and potentially life-saving. They should be bright enough to illuminate the road ahead for safe braking and maneuvering around obstacles.

In this article, we’ll discuss the types of lights you’ll find built-in on an electric scooter.

We’ll also talk about terms like lumens, how to know if your scooter’s lights are bright enough, and when and where to add aftermarket lights.

Types and Positions of Electric Scooter Lights

Source: Electric Scooter Guide

Headlights

Because electric scooters are so low to the ground already, headlights are most visible to others when they are mounted high up on the stem or right between the scooter’s handlebars.

Many scooter brands choose to mount their scooter’s main headlight in the deck or near the front wheel. Although these locations will still illuminate the road ahead, they won’t make your vehicle as visible to drivers as it should be.

If your scooter has headlights mounted close to the ground (or you’re considering buying a scooter with low-mounted lights), you’ll want to purchase aftermarket lighting for maximum visibility.

Tail Lights

Tail lights are no afterthought (no pun intended). They should be bright red and easy to see in low visibility conditions and at night.

Tail lights will most often be mounted to the rear fender of an electric scooter. They simply can't be placed any higher because of the vehicle's design.

You may wish to add additional rear lights to make sure you can be seen from behind. You can wear a rear light clipped to a backpack or the back of your helmet.

Some of the most common types of helmets made for commuters these days incorporate rear lighting and other lights into their design.

Brake Lights and Turn Signals

Most electric scooters these days have some form of brake light that alerts those behind you when you're coming to a stop.

Remember that braking early before you stop or go into a turn will signal drivers earlier, so they can start slowing down behind you or prepare to pass safely.

Turn signals tend to only come on scooters that cost over $1000. They can be particularly useful for obvious reasons, but if your scooter does not come with turn signals, there are aftermarket add-ons for bicycles you can purchase that will work for electric scooters.

Source: SolarScooters

LED Strips and Swag Lighting

Many scooters also incorporate multicolored LED strips or elaborate swag lighting schemes into their stems and deck sides. These can definitely be attention-getters, but swag lights are no substitute for proper head and tail lighting. They're not designed to light up the road for safe riding.

Riding at Night: Light Modes and Lumens

Light Modes

Most electric scooter lights, whether built-in and aftermarket, have different modes that let you select between continuous and flashing lights at a few different intervals and levels of brightness.

During the day, it’s usually recommended to use a flashing mode, as it will be more readily seen in sunlight.

Always use continuous lights at night to illuminate the road ahead, and make sure you set your headlight to the brightest setting for maximum visibility if you’re on dark roads with few streetlights.

Lumens

All electric scooter use LED lights, and their brightness is measured in lumens, not watts. The lumen scale measures in hundredths. A 2-3 watt LED light will produce up to 200 lumens minimum. A 5-7 watt LED bulb will produce around 300-500 lumens.

How Do You Know If Your Lights are Bright Enough?

The guidelines for cyclists are a good place to start when thinking how bright the lights should be on you electric scooter: both headlights and rear lighting should be visible at least 500 ft (152 m) ahead and behind the vehicle.

The level of brightness you will need, however, will ultimately depend on your riding conditions (and your budget if you’re buying aftermarket lights).

Source: NIU

100-300 Lumens

As a general rule, it’s best to supplement headlights between 100-300 lumens with a brighter aftermarket light if you plan on riding at night or if you frequently encounter low-light conditions.

If you ride solely in well-lit urban areas with lots of bright storefronts and streetlights, you won’t need a super bright headlight to see the road ahead.

You want to make sure that drivers can see you. Reflectors and brightly-colored reflective clothing is highly recommended.

Source: Electric Scooter Guide

300-1000 Lumens

For best visibility in almost any conditions you’ll encounter, lights above 300 lumens will ensure you can see the road ahead and that others can see you.

There is a huge range of brightness between 300 and 1000, and a range of pricing. Spend the money you can afford in this category. There is no need to buy a 1000 watt light if you don’t need one.

1000 and Above

If you ride in pitch dark conditions (off-road at night, for example) or want to create absolute peace of mind when it comes to visibility, lights of 700 lumens and above will make your scooter as bright as passing cars at night. But high-powered LED lights are rarely necessary and usually quite expensive.

What is the battery life of electric scooter lights?

The battery life of electric scooter lights varies depending on the type of light and the intensity setting used. It's important to check the specifications of each light. Some lights may only last a few hours on a single charge, while others can last for several days of use.

Extra Lights for Visibility: Things to Consider When Buying Lights For Your E-Scooter

If you want to add extra lights to your electric scooter for improved visibility, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Some areas have regulations on the brightness of lights or the colors allowed. In general, headlights should be white and rear lights should be red.

Make sure the lights you choose are compatible with your scooter. Some lights are designed to be mounted to specific parts of the scooter, so be sure to read the product description carefully.

Think about where you want to mount the lights. Additional lights can be mounted on the stem, handlebars, deck, or even the rider’s helmet. Consider your riding style and which mounting locations will provide the best visibility.

Finally, consider the brightness and battery life of the lights. Look for lights with a high lumen count and long battery life to ensure that you’ll be visible to others and won’t have to constantly recharge your lights.

Many Electric Scooters Have Poor Built-in Lights

Some electric scooter manufacturers don't place safety concerns at the center of their design philosophy, and this can lead to lighting profiles that are not safe for riding at night. The main problem is headlights that are mounted too low on the scooter to be seen by oncoming traffic.

Remember that even if your scooter has extremely bright lights, if they're mounted low, drivers sitting up high in trucks and SUVs still might not see you.

The best place to mount electric scooter lights is as high on the vehicle as possible, which is why the Unagi Model One mounts its headlight right between the handlebars, where it can be clearly seen by other drivers and oncoming traffic and where it's best positioned to illuminate the road.

FAQs

What are the best electric scooter lights?

The best electric scooter lights are the ones that provide maximum visibility and safety while riding. Some of the top brands for built-in scooter lights include Segway, Xiaomi, and Ninebot. For aftermarket lights, popular brands include NiteRider and Cygolite.

Can I add bike lights to my scooter?

Yes, you can add bike lights to your electric scooter. However, it's important to make sure that the lights you choose are compatible with your scooter and won't interfere with its performance. Additionally, some areas have regulations on the brightness and placement of lights on personal electric vehicles, so be sure to check your local laws before adding lights.

Lights for night rides should be bright enough to illuminate the road ahead a safe distance for braking and maneuvering around obstacles. The guidelines for cyclists recommend that both headlights and rear lights should be visible at least 500 ft ahead/behind the vehicle. It's also important to use continuous lighting at night and to set your headlight to the brightest setting for maximum visibility.

How bright do lights need to be for night rides?

The brightness of lights for night rides is measured in lumens, and it's recommended that both headlights and rear lighting should be visible at least 500 ft ahead/behind the vehicle. Lights should be at least 300 lumens for riding in low light conditions or at night. Additionally, it's important to use continuous lighting at night and to set your headlight to the brightest setting for maximum visibility.