Enhancing Visibility: Why Lighting & Reflective Gear Are Essential For Electric Two-Wheeler Safety

Visibility is a major safety concern for all two-wheeler riders, but it's especially crucial for electric scooter and motorbike riders.

Poor visibility is a leading cause of accidents involving two-wheeler riders.

Source : Bastian Riccardi/Pixabay

By Sagar Siwach

Electric two-wheelers, including scooters and motorbikes, are becoming increasingly popular in India due to their convenience, eco-friendliness, and power. One crucial aspect of electric two-wheeler safety is visibility. Given that these vehicles can reach higher speeds compared to traditional petrol-powered ones, riders must be visible to drivers, pedestrians, and other road users, especially in low-light conditions. Improving visibility through proper lighting and reflective gear is key to avoiding accidents and ensuring a safe riding experience.

Importance Of Visibility

Visibility is a major safety concern for all two-wheeler riders, but it's especially crucial for electric scooter and motorbike riders. Electric two-wheelers, which are often quieter and faster than their petrol counterparts, need more time and space to stop safely. As a result, other road users need to be aware of an electric two-wheeler rider well in advance to react appropriately.

Poor visibility is a leading cause of accidents involving two-wheeler riders. The risk increases significantly during dawn, dusk, or night rides, and in bad weather conditions like rain or fog. Even during the daytime, factors such as shadows, blind spots, and sun glare can affect a rider's visibility to others. Therefore, using visibility tools—like lights and reflective gear—is not just recommended but essential.

Essential Lighting For Electric Two-Wheelers

Lighting is one of the most effective tools to increase visibility. Electric two-wheelers typically have both front and rear lights, and sometimes additional lighting for maximum coverage.

1. Headlights: The white front light should be bright enough to illuminate the rider's path and make the vehicle visible to oncoming traffic. LED lights, known for their brightness, energy efficiency, and longevity, are the preferred choice. A good headlight should offer multiple settings, such as a steady beam for dark roads and a flashing mode for increased visibility in urban areas. 
2. Tail Lights: Red rear lights are crucial to warn drivers and riders behind you. Like headlights, tail lights should be bright and preferably have a flashing mode. Some advanced models feature brake lights that activate when the vehicle slows down, providing an additional safety feature.
3. Turn Indicators: Clear and bright turn indicators are essential for communicating your intentions to other road users. Some vehicles come with LED turn indicators that ensure high visibility even in bright daylight.
4. Advanced Lighting Systems: While Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) are now standard on all-electric vehicles, some models offer superior lighting technology. Advanced lighting options provide exceptional visibility, offering riders a clearer view of the road ahead and ensuring they're more visible to other road users, both during day and night.

Reflective Gear For Enhanced Safety

While lights are crucial for active visibility, reflective gear adds a passive element by reflecting light from other sources, such as vehicle headlights. Reflective materials bounce light back to its source, making the wearer visible from a distance.

1. Reflective Clothing: Wearing reflective clothing, such as jackets or vests with reflective strips, greatly increases a rider's visibility. Reflective elements on the back, chest, and arms ensure that the rider is visible from all angles. For those who prefer regular clothing, reflective belts or sashes can be worn over clothes.
2. Reflective Accessories: Reflective tape or stickers can be applied to various parts of the electric two-wheeler, including the frame, wheels, and storage compartments. These accessories are an inexpensive and effective way to boost visibility. Reflective ankle bands are another useful accessory, as the movement during riding catches the attention of drivers.
3. Reflective Helmets: Helmets with built-in reflective elements or high-visibility colours can make a significant difference. They ensure that the highest point of the rider is visible, which is especially important in traffic or when riding in low-light conditions.
4. Reflective Luggage: For those who carry backpacks or use storage boxes on their electric scooters, choosing models with reflective material or adding reflective strips is crucial. These items often cover reflective elements on clothing, so ensuring they have their reflective surfaces is important for maintaining visibility.

Combining Lighting & Reflective Gear

For optimal safety, electric two-wheeler riders should combine both lighting and reflective gear. The Projector Headlamps and LED lights on vehicles ensure you're visible at all times, especially in the dark, while reflective gear provides an added layer of visibility when lights from other sources hit you. Together, these tools create a visibility strategy that addresses different situations and angles, helping to keep you safe on the road.

As electric two-wheeler usage continues to rise in India, prioritising visibility is paramount. Proper lighting and reflective gear are not merely accessories; they are essential components of safe riding. By investing in high-quality lights and reflective items, riders can significantly reduce the risk of accidents, ensuring that they are seen by others and can navigate the roads safely. Whether you're commuting on an Intercity 350, making quick deliveries on a Hermes 75, or enjoying a ride on a KM4000, enhancing your visibility is a simple yet effective way to protect yourself and enjoy your electric two-wheeler to the fullest.

(The author is the CMO of Kabira Mobility)

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