Compliance as a Foundation

The bicycle lighting market is evolving rapidly, driven by stricter regulations and changing riding behavior. In this complex environment, regulatory expertise becomes a competitive advantage.

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Market Context

  • European regulations are becoming more detailed and demanding
  • Strict local rules like German StVZO and French Homologation
  • Increased focus on cut‑off, glare prevention, light distribution and minimum light output
  • Growing e‑bike usage leads to higher speeds and higher safety expectations
  • Dealers require certainty, not risk

Compliance Is Not an Option — It Is Our Starting Point

At Allegion, compliance is built into every stage of product development.

  • Large part of the portfolio is fully StVZO‑compliant
  • Additional approvals for markets such as France and Denmark
  • Designed according to the strictest optical standards worldwide
  • Reduced risk of returns, complaints, and legal uncertainty

 

Whether you operate in The Benelux, Germany, France, or somewhere else in Europe, our portfolio includes products specifically engineered to meet local legal requirements, ensuring your inventory is always compliant.

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Germany: The StVZO Standard

Germany has the strictest laws in the world (StVZO § 67). Most high-quality European lights are designed to meet this standard because it is widely respected across the continent.

  • Anti-Dazzle Beam (Cut-off Line): Front lights must have a “cut-off line.” This means the light beam is directed downward onto the road and not into the eyes of oncoming traffic.
  • Brightness (Lux): Front lights must have a minimum of 10 Lux at a distance of 10 meters.
  • High Beam: Legal if switchable
  • Steady Light Only: Flashing front or rear lights are strictly prohibited on bicycles in Germany. They must provide a constant, steady beam.
  • Brake light: new homologation requests a much brighter light output, like motorcycles, for the brake light and allows a short flashing as emergency brake light.

France: Code de la Route

French regulations focus heavily on visibility and “passive” safety.

Fixed vs. Flashing:

  • Front: Must be a steady white or yellow light. Flashing front lights are generally not permitted as primary lighting.
  • Rear: A steady red light is the standard requirement.

 

High Beam (Route) vs. Low Beam (Croisement):

  • Crucial Detail: While High Beam functions are becoming popular on E-bikes, High Beam is currently not permitted on public roads in France for bicycles. Lights must operate in a “low beam” (non-dazzling) mode.

European Union: The New Battery Regulation (2023/1542)

This is the most important “upcoming” regulation for the entire EU market, affecting all member states.

  • User-Replaceability: By February 2027, all portable batteries in electronic appliances (including USB bike lights) must be removable and replaceable by the end-user using commonly available tools.
  • Sustainability: This effectively bans “sealed” or glued USB lights that must be thrown away when the battery dies.
  • Labelling: Batteries must carry labels capacity, and chemical composition.
  • USB-C: We’ve switched to USB-C across our entire new rechargeable range. By using this widely accepted standard, we reduce cable clutter and make charging simpler and more convenient for every rider.

Is your light portfolio compliant? Contact our light experts!

Feel free to contact us without any obligation. Our retail specialists are ready to assist you!

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Safe bicycle lighting

Our lighting engineers are constantly working on new lighting solutions that ensure cyclists are safe on the road, both during the day and in the evening or at night.

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Innovative products

Our engineers have come up with numerous innovations. For example, safety lights that provide optimal safety even in daylight. And a constant light function that provides 4 minutes of light when the cyclist is stationary, ensuring visibility even at a traffic light, for example.

In all these innovations, our engineers always work according to international standards, so that our bicycle lighting can be used worldwide.