Daytime Running Lights

If you only do one thing, do this

Research shows that riding with a flashing, daylight-visible rear light is the single most effective measure a cyclist can take to increase their likelihood of standing out to drivers.* Bontrager Daytime Running Lights are designed with a specific flash, focus and range to make them more visible during daylight hours.

Will you be seen?

Studies show that riders overestimate their visibility by 700%. The Flare R is the original Daytime Running Light, and it's still the best.

After I put on the tail light, (drivers) respect me more, they give me more space when they have to pass me... I tell everyone I know to put lights on the bike.

Mads Pederson, Trek-Segafredo
World Road Cycling Champion

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Award-winning performance

Bicycling Magazine loved Ion 200 RT and Flare RT for being powerfully bright and extremely easy to use.

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See the lights

What makes a light a Daytime Running Light?

Not all lights are created equal. Brightness is important, but it takes more than a lot of lumens to make an effective Daytime Running Light. A true DRL is designed with specific focus, flash and range to be seen from a meaningful distance during daylight hours. Without these three things, you just have a light.

Flash

Most bicycle lights use a steady flashing pattern. This pulsing is less noticeable than one that continually varies its intensity and pattern. The Day Flash setting featured on Bontrager Daytime Running Lights was created specifically to increase noticeability with varying outputs and an interruptive flash pattern.

Focus

Creating a light visible in daylight requires intentional design. By directing or amplifying output, we intensify the beam and extend its range. Without this, a light may appear bright in your hand but may not be noticed in daylight by a motorist on the road.

Range

The earlier a rider is seen, the more time a driver has to react and pass safely. Bontrager Daytime Running Lights are detectable from a greater distance than standard lights. Every model in the line-up is made to be seen from at least 400 m away, and select models are designed for visibility from over 2 km, even during daylight hours.

When you use a flashing rear light during the day, you’re up to 2.4x more noticeable than a rider using no lights at all (and up to 1.4x more noticeable than a rider using a light in steady mode). Bontrager Daytime Running Lights use an interruptive flash pattern designed to stand out specifically during daylight conditions.

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Research shows a 33% decrease in accidents for bicycles outfitted with Daytime Running lights.* There’s a similar trend in both cars and motorcycles that use DRLs, with 25% and 13% drops in collisions respectively.

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8 out of 10 cycling accidents occur during daylight hours, when most people are riding and driving. Daytime Running Lights are the single most effective product to help increase your noticeability during these peak hours.

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The Daytime Running Light difference

Bontrager Daytime Running Lights are designed to help you stand out when it matters most. Using them is proven to be the single most effective way to make your presence known to motorists.

In today’s world of distracted motorists, it’s more important than ever to take measures that could increase your safety. Select Bontrager DRLs are visible from up to 2 km away, even during daylight hours, so drivers have more time to see and react.

Reference our resources

The information presented throughout was curated from many sources. If you’re interested in digging deeper, check out our sources for yourself.

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Bontrager offers both front and rear Daytime Running Lights, individually and in sets. These smart, powerful lights are USB-rechargeable, easy to mount and feature loads of functional features from the industry leader in bicycle lights.

Ion Front Bike Lights

See and be seen. Choose from small, discreet models that seem impossibly bright to Pro-level models designed to light up the trail for confident off-road riding after dark.

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Flare Rear Bike Lights

The original rear Daytime Running Light, and still the leader in the field. If you make only one upgrade this year, make it this one.

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Commuter Front Lights

A kinder way to ride. Commuter lights with Kindbeam tech shine bright on the path ahead while avoiding oncoming riders’ eyes. Choose Commuter Pro RT for the brightest option packed with features, like chargeback and wireless pairing, or Commuter Comp R for a simple and streamlined light.

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