Lighting regulations explained 

The vast majority of bikes sold in the UK come without lights as standard – indeed they are regarded as optional extras or accessories. There’s no legal requirement for manufacturers to fit lights to bikes at point of sale, but if you need to ride at night, you’re legally obliged to fit lights that comply with the Department for Transport’s Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations.

Here’s what you need to be legal: 

A white front light (this can be flashing or static)

A red rear light (again this can be flashing or static)

A red rear reflector

Amber/Yellow pedal reflectors front and rear on each pedal

Here comes the caveat…

If either your front or rear light is capable of producing a static beam, then it must comply with BS6102-3 and be marked accordingly.

Purely flashing lights do not need to comply with BS6102-3, provided that their flash rate is between 1 and 4 flashes per second and their brightness 4 candela or above.

Full details of the rules surrounding lights can be found at www.dft.gov.uk