Cyclists in Helsinki urged to improve bike lights for safety in winter traffic

Cyclists need lights when biking in the dim evenings and mornings, but those lights should not dazzle others. According to a survey by Traffic Safety, one in four respondents identifies flashing bike lights as a safety issue during winter traffic. Similarly, 24% reported that overly bright or misaligned front lights cause problematic glare.

Henni Ahvenlampi, Executive Director of Helsinki Region Cyclists (Hepo), noted that particularly bright or erratically flashing lights can trigger migraines and temporary visual disturbances for pedestrians. Various bike lights operate with different effectiveness levels, which can even be adjusted while riding, depending on ambient light conditions.

Dennis Pasterstein, head of the Traffic Supervision Unit at the Helsinki Police, mentioned that cyclists cannot be fined specifically for glare or flashing lights. He acknowledged that while bright lights can be blinding, they also enhance visibility.

In informal interviews along Helsinki’s Baana and Töölönlahti, locals expressed their views on lights. Cyclist Erkka Valo stated that flashing lights are visible but distracting if aimed directly at eyes. Henrietta Hörhammer suggested that cyclists should have more lights, emphasizing the issue of visibility worsened by pedestrians wearing dark clothing without reflectors.

Other residents such as Eero Kivistö and Eeva-Kaisa Taijala advocated for the presence of lights to alert pedestrians and improve overall safety, as non-lit cyclists can be hazardous on dark paths.

Police officials highlight that the greatest safety risk occurs when cyclists do not use any lights. It is required by law to have appropriate front and back lights for cycling in low visibility. The police encourage proper use of bike lights, providing guidance and issuing fines for severe offenders.