Smart Bike Gadgets: What Makes Cycling Safer

Bicycle Safety Guide Smart Bike Gadgets: What Makes Cycling Safer

2026-09-15 Source: TÜV Association e.V. | Translated by AI 3 min Reading Time

Related Vendor

tmts2026-ticec-banner-en-2000px (https://www.tmts.tw/en)

Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders' Association (TMBA)

Bright lights, smart sensors, ABS, and other features promise greater safety for cyclists. The TÜV Association offers practical tips on which gadgets are truly useful and what to keep in mind when using them.

The TÜV Association explains which bicycle gadgets are useful and what consumers should keep in mind when purchasing and using them.(Source: / Pixabay) — The TÜV Association explains which bicycle gadgets are useful and what consumers should keep in mind when purchasing and using them.
(Source: / Pixabay)

Whether for work, exercise, or leisure, bicycles are part of everyday life for many people. According to the 2026 TÜV Mobility Study, one in five people in Germany (20 percent) rides a bicycle at least once a week, and another 14 percent regularly ride an e-bike.

Why Safety On a Bike Is So Important

More than half of those surveyed (56 percent) consider the safety of cyclists in their area to be low. According to the Federal Statistical Office, 462 cyclists were killed in traffic accidents in 2025. Fani Zaneta, a traffic safety expert at the TÜV Association, emphasizes: “In addition to riding cautiously, cyclists can increase their own safety with the right equipment. However, even the best gadget is no substitute for safe infrastructure or anticipatory riding.”

The TÜV Association explains which bike gadgets are useful and what consumers should keep in mind when purchasing and using them.

Lighting and Mirrors: See and Be Seen

Good visibility is essential. The German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO) set clear guidelines here:

Approved lighting: A white front light, a red taillight, and reflectors are required. Flashing lights are not permitted on bicycles. You can identify approved lights by a wavy line, the letter “K,” and a test number.

The right brightness: For lit streets, 30 to 50 lux are sufficient. On unlit paths, around 100 lux are recommended. The headlight must be adjusted so that it does not blind anyone.

High beams for bicycles: Officially permitted since 2017. They help on very dark stretches but must be turned off in time using the handlebar switch when oncoming traffic is approaching.Rearview mirrors: They make it easier to see behind you. They must be securely mounted to the handlebars (or helmet) and must not wobble. Important: A mirror does not replace looking over your shoulder when turning!

Gallery

Smart bike helmets greatly increase visibility. Built-in taillights and automatic brake lights immediately alert traffic behind you when the bike slows down.(Source: KI-generiert / Dall-E)

Bicycle radar systems detect approaching cars and issue warnings via the display on the handlebars. This is especially helpful on country roads with limited visibility.(Source: KI-generiert / Dall-E)

Brake safely without rolling over: A bicycle ABS system prevents the front wheel from locking up during emergency braking. This keeps the bike steerable and helps prevent falls—especially on wet roads.(Source: KI-generiert / Dall-E)

A properly adjusted headlight illuminates the road but has a sharp cut-off at the top. On unlit roads, 100 lux or even high beams—which have been permitted since 2017—are advisable.(Source: KI-generiert / Dall-E)

Gallery with 6 images

Smart Gadgets for Better Protection

Technology is advancing rapidly. These systems can help in an emergency:

Smart bike helmets: Combine head protection with built-in taillights, automatic brake lights, and turn signals.
Fall Detection: Sensors (in the helmet, on the bike, or in the smartwatch) detect falls. If the person does not respond after a countdown, an emergency contact or emergency services are automatically notified, along with the user’s location.
Bicycle turn signals: These are permitted on bicycles if they bear a certification mark (wavy line + K number or E mark). They are operated from the handlebars and replace the hand signal. Note: Helmet turn signals are not legally considered approved bicycle turn signals—you must still stick your hand out in this case!
Bicycle radar systems: A sensor at the rear detects vehicles approaching from behind and issues a warning via a display. Tip: More useful for road cyclists on country roads; in heavy city traffic, there are often too many warnings.
Tire pressure sensors: Alert the driver via an app or display to gradual pressure loss, which could impair braking performance. However, they do not replace manual checks.
Bicycle ABS: It's becoming increasingly popular, especially on e-bikes and cargo bikes. It prevents the front wheel from locking up during emergency braking, so you don't go over the handlebars and can still steer.

Checklist for Purchasing

Here's what consumers should keep in mind: More technology usually means higher costs for purchase, repair, or maintenance. So be sure to check these 5 points before buying:

Specific benefits: What risk is the product designed to reduce? Does it suit my daily commute (city traffic vs. country roads)?
Check for approval: Lights, brake lights, and turn signals must be approved for use on German roads (StVZO).
Ease of Use: The system should be operable without having to take your eyes off the road or your hands off the handlebars.
Secure mounting: All gadgets (lights, sensors, displays) must be securely mounted and must not shift while the vehicle is in motion.
Compatibility: Is the system technically compatible with my bike, brakes, power source (e-bike battery), and app?

Consent to the use of data for promotional purposes

I hereby consent to Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Str. 7-9, 97082 Würzburg including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG (hereafter: Vogel Communications Group) using my e-mail address to send editorial newsletters. A list of all affiliated companies can be found here

Newsletter content may include all products and services of any companies mentioned above, including for example specialist journals and books, events and fairs as well as event-related products and services, print and digital media offers and services such as additional (editorial) newsletters, raffles, lead campaigns, market research both online and offline, specialist webportals and e-learning offers. In case my personal telephone number has also been collected, it may be used for offers of aforementioned products, for services of the companies mentioned above, and market research purposes.

Additionally, my consent also includes the processing of my email address and telephone number for data matching for marketing purposes with select advertising partners such as LinkedIn, Google, and Meta. For this, Vogel Communications Group may transmit said data in hashed form to the advertising partners who then use said data to determine whether I am also a member of the mentioned advertising partner portals. Vogel Communications Group uses this feature for the purposes of re-targeting (up-selling, cross-selling, and customer loyalty), generating so-called look-alike audiences for acquisition of new customers, and as basis for exclusion for on-going advertising campaigns. Further information can be found in section “data matching for marketing purposes”.

In case I access protected data on Internet portals of Vogel Communications Group including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG, I need to provide further data in order to register for the access to such content. In return for this free access to editorial content, my data may be used in accordance with this consent for the purposes stated here. This does not apply to data matching for marketing purposes.

Right of revocation

I understand that I can revoke my consent at will. My revocation does not change the lawfulness of data processing that was conducted based on my consent leading up to my revocation. One option to declare my revocation is to use the contact form found at https://contact.vogel.de. In case I no longer wish to receive certain newsletters, I have subscribed to, I can also click on the unsubscribe link included at the end of a newsletter. Further information regarding my right of revocation and the implementation of it as well as the consequences of my revocation can be found in the data protection declaration, section editorial newsletter.