Guide · Lights
Bike light and reflector rules in the US and Canada: examples, not a list
There is no single US or Canadian bike lighting law. The federal reflector rule for new bikes, plus California, Oregon and Ontario examples and how to check yours.
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Picks that fit
- Magicshine SEEMEE 200 V3.0 rear light (brake sensing, USB-C)Check price on Amazon
- Garmin Varia RTL515 rearview radar with tail lightCheck price on Amazon
Short answer
There is no single US or Canadian lighting law for riders. Bicycles sold in the US must carry reflectors under a federal product rule, and each state and province sets its own rules for lights when you ride. The examples below show how much they differ, so check the rule where you ride.
Picks that fitAll picks and how to choose
- Magicshine SEEMEE 200 V3.0 rear light (brake sensing, USB-C)Check price on Amazon
- Garmin Varia RTL515 rearview radar with tail lightCheck price on Amazon
The federal rule is about bicycles, not riders
16 CFR part 1512 sets requirements for bicycles themselves, excluding track bicycles and one-of-a-kind bicycles.[1] It is a product rule for bicycles sold in the US, not a law about how you ride.
Its section 1512.16 requires bicycles, other than sidewalk bicycles, to carry reflectors so they can be recognized under motor-vehicle headlamps.[2] The reflectors it requires:
- Front: one forward-facing reflector, essentially colorless.[2]
- Rear: a red reflector, mounted so its top is at least 3 inches below the seat surface.[2]
- Pedals: reflectors on the front and rear surfaces of each pedal, essentially colorless or amber.[2]
- Sides: retroreflective tire sidewalls, spoke-mounted reflectors or, on bicycles without caliper rim brakes, retroreflective rims.[2]
Section 1512.16 is about reflectors. The riding rules for lights in the examples below come from state and provincial law.
California
California Vehicle Code 21201(d) requires a bicycle ridden in darkness to have a white front lamp visible from 300 feet to the front and sides.[3] At the rear, it requires a red reflector, or a solid or flashing red light with a built-in reflector, visible from 500 feet.[3] The same subdivision also requires white or yellow pedal, shoe or ankle reflectors visible from 200 feet.
Under 21201(e), a white lamp attached to the rider may be used instead of the bicycle-mounted front lamp.[3] The text says "attached to the operator". It does not name helmets.
Oregon
Oregon's ORS 815.280 requires, in limited-visibility conditions, a white front light visible from at least 500 feet and a red rear reflector or light visible from up to 600 feet.[4] The rear figure is tied to being directly in front of lawful lower-beam motor-vehicle headlights.
The difference is the point
California sets a 300-foot visibility distance for the front lamp, while Oregon sets 500 feet.[3] Two neighboring states, two different numbers. That is why no page, product listing or box can promise that a light suits every state's rule.
Ontario
Ontario's government lists a white front light, a red rear light or reflector, white reflective tape on the front forks and red reflective tape on the rear forks as bicycle equipment required by law.[5] The page says the rear light or reflector applies at night, and gives no exact time window. That is Ontario only, not all of Canada.
A contrast: Germany bans flashing lights
Germany's StVZO section 67 prohibits flashing bicycle headlights and flashing tail lights.[6] California, by contrast, accepts a flashing red rear light with a built-in reflector.[3] A light designed for one market's rules may not suit another's.
| Place | Front | Rear | Flashing rear | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US, new bicycles (16 CFR 1512.16) | Colorless reflector | Red reflector | Not addressed | Federal product rule |
| California (CVC 21201) | White lamp, 300 ft, in darkness | Red reflector or red light with reflector, 500 ft | Allowed | State code |
| Oregon (ORS 815.280) | White light, 500 ft | Red reflector or light, up to 600 ft | Not stated here | State statute |
| Ontario | White front light | Red light or reflector at night, plus fork tape | Not stated here | Provincial guidance |
| Germany (StVZO §67) | White low-beam headlight, aimed not to dazzle | Not covered here | Prohibited | German rule |
We could not read NHTSA's summary of state bicycle lighting laws, so we do not quote it. The state statutes above are the primary texts.
Rear lights to consider
Neither light below replaces the reflectors your bike came with. Check its color, mode and visibility against your own state or provincial rule.
Picks that fit2 products
Magicshine SEEMEE 200 V3.0: the USB-C version, a red rear light for the seatpost or saddle.
More on choosing
Garmin Varia RTL515 (010-02376-00): a red tail light with rearview radar; not the RTL516. Garmin rates the RTL515 at 20 lumens solid and lists flash modes too. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or the brand.
Magicshine SEEMEE 200 V3.0 rear light (brake sensing, USB-C)
Rear radar tail light with runtime by mode
Garmin's ratings for the RTL515 are in its manual.[7]
Next
Questions
Are bike lights required by law?
In the places we cite, yes, at night, but each state or province sets its own rule. California requires a white front lamp visible from 300 feet when riding in darkness, while Oregon sets 500 feet in limited visibility.[3][4]
Is a flashing rear light legal?
It depends where you ride. California's code accepts a solid or flashing red rear light with a built-in reflector, while Germany prohibits flashing bicycle lights. Check your own state or province.[3][6]
Does a helmet light count as a front light?
California's code lets a white lamp "attached to the operator" be used instead of a bicycle-mounted front lamp. It does not name helmets, and other places may differ.[3]
Do I need reflectors if I have lights?
New bicycles sold in the US must carry reflectors under 16 CFR 1512.16, and some riding rules ask for reflectors too. California, for example, also requires pedal, shoe or ankle reflectors in darkness. Keep the reflectors and check your local rule.[2][3]
Is there one lighting law for all of Canada?
We cite Ontario only. Ontario's government lists a white front light, a red rear light or reflector, and reflective tape on the front and rear forks as required equipment. Other provinces set their own rules.[5]