Types Of Lighting On Electric Scooters: Headlights, Taillights, Brake Lights, And More

Is anything going to slow down electric scooters? We don't think so. They've fast become a popular form of transportation, allowing people to avoid public transport and save money.

Ultra-cool students cruise on them, extreme sports enthusiasts go crazy for off-road e-scooters, and executives use their sleek Unagi Model One all-access subscription to scoot into the office.

When it comes to safety, there are a few things to consider with electric scooters - including the lighting.

While all scooters come with basic lights, you can swap them for brighter bulbs or choose lights matching your personality.

In this guide, we'll tell you everything you need to know about e-scooter lights, including the different types and how they ensure a safe riding experience.

From headlights to taillights and some more unique solutions, we've got you covered.

Let's get straight to it.

Headlights

Headlights are pretty self-explanatory and an absolute necessity for electric scooters. They're located at the front of your scooter and enhance visibility so you can see what's happening in front of you.

These lights ensure you pay attention to other road users and notice any obstacles in your way, including cars, bikes, and pedestrians.

Even a slight lapse in attention can cause serious accidents, so it will be no surprise that most US states require riders to have sufficient main lights.

While most electric scooters come with headlights, budget, and mid-range models often lack the premium features that enhance safety and visibility.

If your main lights don't fill you with confidence on the road, you can buy a different light that will attach to your scooter.

Choosing the right headlights for your electric scooter

It's always a good idea to buy a better headlight, and there are plenty of brands to choose from. The best lights for electric scooters will have many key features, but you should opt for a brand that prioritizes safety over everything else.

Brightness

The headlights you choose should enhance visibility when riding at night or in low-light conditions. If you have to strain to see oncoming traffic, the lights aren't suitable - but LED lights are often the best choice as they offer a higher lumen rating.

Some LED electric scooter lights come with adjustable brightness settings, giving you more control and saving money by buying just one light instead of multiple lights for different weather conditions.

Beam Pattern

Beam patterns are another factor when choosing headlights because it defines what you'll see. Wider beam patterns are ideal for peripheral visibility, but narrower beam patterns offer long-distance visibility.

Battery Life

The battery life of your headlights depends on how often you'll use the scooter. If you enjoy the occasional ride, you can get away with lower battery life - but commuters should focus on a higher capacity for convenience.

Mounting

It's a good idea to find a flexible headlight in terms of mounting. Some lights allow you to position them on top of the stem or directly above the wheel, which gives you more flexibility.

Durability

Durability is also essential - especially if you often use the scooter at night. Also, the light should be waterproof because it ensures you can ride in wet conditions without worrying about replacing the light.

Price

Let's not forget the headlight's price is another thing to consider. You don't need to bust your budget to find a great light, but you should invest in a high-quality option. Going for the cheapest available isn't always the best choice - especially when you'll probably need to replace the headlight relatively quickly.

Tail lights

Tail lights are another essential component of an electric scooter, and they sit at the rear to make the rider visible to other road users. The most popular rear lights are LED brands because they have superior brightness and leave nothing to chance in terms of visibility.

Rear lights serve two purposes:

1. Signaling: The lights show a rider's intention to turn on the road. Pedestrians are more protected, and collisions with other road users are less likely.
2. Visibility: We've already touched on visibility, but it's an essential aspect of tail lights - especially when riding in low-light conditions. A car does much more damage than a scooter, so these lights have your back on the road.

Safety is everything with tail lights - and many manufacturers offer average brightness, which is fine for riders, but doesn't provide the security you'd get with premium lighting options.

Choosing the right rear lights for electric scooters

Your scooter will probably come with tail lights, but you might want to consider buying them separately if you'll spend a lot of time riding at night. They come at all price points; some have premium features that will improve your riding experience and let you concentrate fully on the road ahead.

Brightness

It will come as no surprise that the best electric scooter lights will offer more brightness. If you want peace of mind that others can see you, bright lights are a must - especially if you use the scooter on busy roads.

Signals

Signals can also be beneficial because they let other road users know your intent to turn. This gives people more time to react to your presence, but it's also ideal if you're new to riding because you can focus properly.

Why tail lights for electric scooters aren't always suitable for night rides

Whether you use built-in scooter lights or buy a separate tail light, there's still the issue of positioning. Unfortunately, most e-scooters have poor lighting at the back because of the rear fender position.

It's something that electric scooter manufacturers can't change, but you can enhance your visibility by using clip-on LEDs that go onto your backpack or shirt.

Many of these clip-on lights come with signals and are often more visible than built-in lights, making them a welcome solution for riders.

Some even allow you to change the color, giving you complete control of your experience and assuring safety.

Brake Lights

Brake lights are similar to tail lights because they go onto the rear of your scooter and ensure other road users can see you. Braking without them could put you at risk of serious accidents - especially from cars.

It's always important to protect yourself on the road, as you won't have the protection a car offers, which is why the best brake lights are necessary.

Most scooters have poor lighting, and even though the brake lights are on the rear deck or fender, they don't offer much security for night rides.

As most states require electric scooter owners to have brake lights, investing in premium models is always a good idea.

What to look for when choosing brake lights for electric scooters

If you're buying brake lights, there are some unnegotiable features to watch out for. You should also prioritize the standard brightness, mounting, and pricing factors.

Response Time

Brake light response times are central to your safety on the road. Fast response times ensure the brake light activates as soon as you apply the brake, which gives road users more time to react.

Look for lights with a fast response time; while it might seem minor, the response time will define your safety.

Sensitivity

Your lights should also be sensitive enough to respond to even the lightest touch of the brakes. Some models are less sensitive, so you'll have to break harder to ensure others can see you.

This isn't an issue for some riders, but your electric scooter lights should be effective in any conditions, and rain might make it harder to brake firmly.

Functionality

Some brake light models offer different functions, including built-in signals or running lights. While these features aren't necessarily essential (especially if you use other signals), it's nice to have customization options.

Other Types Of Lighting

So, we've covered the practical lighting types, but did you know there are also other lighting options? Some people refer to them as swag lights because these lighting options aren't necessary, but they add some flair to the scooter.

Here are some great lighting types that will make your scooter yours.

LED Strips

While most electric scooter lights are there for safety, LED strips are more of a fashion statement. They usually go on the deck of your scooter and offer visibility benefits, but you should never substitute strips for other lights.

LED strips come in various colors, including vibrant pink, blue, green, and pretty much everything in-between.

Better still, they have a flashing mode; some brands even let you choose different colors.

Reflective stickers

Reflective stickers are safety features often found on bicycles (along with bike lights), but they've become increasingly popular with e-scooters. The stickers can boost your visibility and help to prevent accidents in low-light conditions.

In some cases, they might be more beneficial than lights, but that's usually for when you're riding at dawn or dusk - because they're no substitute for proper lighting.

The great thing about reflective stickers is they're cheap to buy and easy to apply. Simply put, having them is better than not - especially if your state's made them mandatory.

How important are electric scooter lights?

Since e-scooters took to the roads, there's been some negative - and unfair press about their safety. Potential risks exist, but it's no different from being a pedestrian, car, or bike user.

An article published by Finding Press highlights the importance of e-scooter lights because riders are twice as likely to suffer a collision with cars when riding at night.

Your safety depends on co-existing with other road users, and the right lights ensure you take responsibility and let people know where you are.

Lights also highlight obstacles ahead and protect pedestrians from your scooter, which enhances safety for everyone.

With so much negative press and misconceptions about e-scooters, it's clear that everyone should play their part to promote safety.

Only then, will we be able to continue enjoying the many benefits these genius and environmentally friendly modes of transportation offer.

The bottom line

Lighting isn't something you can compromise on, and if you want to enjoy the flexibility electric scooters offer, you will need to ensure the lighting meets your state's legal guidelines and keeps you safe.

With the technology surrounding e-scooters continuing to evolve, the future looks bright, and we're confident there will soon be other lighting options that offer more convenience.

Remember, your lighting needs might be completely different from someone else's - so ask yourself the following questions when deciding which to buy:

• Am I comfortable with the built-in lights?
• What's my budget?
• Which conditions will I be riding in?
• How often will I use the scooter at night?
• Can I have confidence that I'll keep myself and others safe?

Ensure you regularly check that your lights are in working order, and be ready to replace them as needed.

As long as you have the right lights, you can have peace of mind that you're always prepared for any conditions.

Now all you need to do is choose the right lights for your needs and enjoy the experience of jumping on an e-scooter and going wherever your heart takes you.