Safety accessories do three jobs: protect you in a crash (helmet), help others see you and help you see (lights, reflectors, bright clothing, bells and mirrors), and protect the bike itself (locks). This guide explains what to look for in each, using federal helmet rules from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), independent helmet ratings from Virginia Tech and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a state lighting law as an example of legal minimums, and the Sold Secure lock rating scheme. It is research-based; we have not crash-tested or attack-tested products ourselves.
Helmets
Certification
Bicycle helmets sold in the U.S. must meet the CPSC safety standard in 16 CFR Part 1203. Each helmet must carry a label certifying compliance, along with the manufacturer’s details and production date; helmets that fail the requirements violate the Consumer Product Safety Act. Look for the CPSC compliance label inside the helmet.
Independent ratings
Virginia Tech’s helmet lab, working with IIHS, rates bike helmets using the STAR system: 24 impact tests at six locations and two energy levels, measuring linear acceleration and rotational velocity, combined into a score where lower is better. Helmets earning more stars are associated with lower concussion risk in those test scenarios, and the lab recommends choosing a helmet rated 4 or 5 stars.
Fit
A helmet only protects if it stays in place. The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute’s fit guidance:
- Sit the helmet level, with the front just above the eyebrows (just above glasses frames if you wear them).
- Adjust the side straps so the Y meets just below the ear.
- Snug the chin strap so that when you open your mouth wide, the helmet pulls down slightly.
- Shake your head, then push the front edge up and back and pull the rear edge up: if it moves more than about an inch from level, tighten the straps or change pads.
See bike helmets.
Lights and reflectors
Lighting laws vary by state, and many set minimums that are lower than what makes you easy to see. As an example, Minnesota’s statute (169.222) requires that at night a bicycle or its rider has a white front lamp visible from at least 500 feet and a red rear reflector visible from 100 to 600 feet, plus reflective material on the pedals and sides; front and rear lamps visible from 500 feet fully comply, and flashing front white and rear red lights are permitted. Check your own state’s code.
| Light | Purpose | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Front “be seen” light | Visibility in town and daylight | Flash and steady modes, wide side visibility |
| Front “to see” light | Lighting the road on unlit routes | Higher output, a beam shaped not to dazzle oncoming users |
| Rear red light | Visibility from behind | Steady or flashing, side visibility, secure mount |
| Reflectors | Passive visibility when lights fail | Pedal, wheel and rear reflectors kept clean and unobstructed |
Consider run time in the modes you actually use, rechargeable batteries with a charge indicator, and whether bags or racks block the light. See bike lights.
Reflective and high-visibility gear
Lights do most of the work at night, but reflective material on moving parts (ankles, pedals, wheels) catches drivers’ attention because it moves. Bright, fluorescent colours help in daylight; reflective material helps at night in headlights. Minnesota’s law, for example, requires 20 square inches of reflective material on each side of the bicycle or rider in poor visibility. See reflective gear.
Bells and mirrors
- Bell: a clear, friendly warning to pedestrians and other riders on shared paths. Some jurisdictions require an audible device; check local rules.
- Mirror: bar-end, handlebar or helmet/glasses mirrors let you check behind without turning. Practise before relying on them, and still look over your shoulder before moving across traffic.
See bells and mirrors.
Locks
Lock security is easiest to compare with independent ratings. Sold Secure, a UK testing and certification house, rates pedal cycle locks in four grades:
| Grade | Tested against | Suggested use (Sold Secure) |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | A short attack with a single, easily concealed hand tool | Short stops in low-risk places such as a café or shop |
| Silver | An enhanced tool list | Lower-value bikes in medium-risk areas such as a town centre |
| Gold | An extended attack with heavy-duty tools | High-value bikes or high-risk areas such as big cities and university towns |
| Diamond | Heavier tools including some power tools | Very high-value bikes in very high-risk areas |
Sold Secure advises choosing a higher grade for higher-value bikes, checking whether your insurer requires a specific grade and confirming that a product currently holds its rating. Good locking technique matters too: lock the frame (and ideally a wheel) to a solid, fixed object in a busy, well-lit place. See bike locks.
Checklist
- Helmet: CPSC label, good STAR rating, fits level and snug.
- Lights: white front, red rear; meet or exceed your state’s minimum; charged.
- Reflectors: present, clean and not blocked by bags.
- Bell or other audible warning where required.
- Lock: grade suited to your bike’s value and where you park.
- Bike in safe condition: brakes, tyres and quick releases checked before rides; see basic bike maintenance.
Accessories for specific riding styles are compared in bike accessories by riding style. All safety guides are under Bike Safety.
Frequently asked questions
When should I replace my helmet?
Replace it after any crash in which it hit something, even if no damage is visible, and follow the manufacturer’s guidance on replacement intervals. Foam that has absorbed an impact does not protect as well a second time.
Are flashing lights legal?
It depends on the state. Minnesota’s statute, for example, permits a flashing white front lamp and a flashing red rear signal. Check your state’s vehicle code.
