A light that switches on at the counter can still be hidden by a saddlebag when the customer rides home. For a bike shop, a useful lighting check starts with the bicycle as it is actually used: bags fitted, brackets in place and the rider able to operate the controls.
As evening journeys move into darkness, offer a clearly scoped light check alongside servicing or accessory fitting. This guide was checked on 18 September 2026. The road-lighting summary below covers Great Britain; the Department for Transport guidance does not cover Northern Ireland.
Ask about the journey before choosing a light
Find out whether the customer rides on lit streets, unlit lanes or trails, and how long the return trip normally takes. Ask them to bring their existing lights, mounts and usual luggage to the appointment.
Cycling UK's lighting guide distinguishes between lights that help other people notice a rider and lights that illuminate the route ahead. It also warns about dazzling road users with powerful lamps. Discuss beam shape and the intended riding environment, rather than treating the largest brightness figure as the best choice for everyone.
Write down the reported fault separately from the inspection result. “Rear light cuts out after part of the commute” needs a different investigation from “mount rotates on the seatpost”. Agree the inspection or fitting charge before starting.
Check lights and reflectors together
Highway Code Rule 60 requires an illuminated white light at the front and red light at the rear at night. It also requires a red rear reflector and, for cycles manufactured after 1 October 1985, amber pedal reflectors. Flashing lamps are allowed, while a steady front beam is recommended where there is no street lighting.
Do not treat a working rear lamp as proof that the reflector requirement has been met. Record the reflectors fitted and flag missing equipment for the customer. If a lamp includes a reflector, confirm that from its documentation instead of assuming the red lens performs both jobs.
The Department for Transport's lighting guidance explains the sunset-to-sunrise requirements and the standards and flashing conditions for obligatory lamps. Check the actual product documentation when advising on compliance. A quick functional check alone is not a complete legal assessment of a light or bicycle.
Inspect the fitted setup
Cycling UK highlights rear lamps obscured by clothing or bags, and mounts that allow a lamp to slip out of position. Build those observations into the workshop check:
- Fit the customer's normal bag or rack luggage and check that it does not conceal the rear lamp or reflector.
- Inspect brackets, straps and attachment points; record cracks, missing pieces or movement needing attention.
- Check that each lamp faces the intended direction and stays secure using its approved mount.
- Follow the manufacturer's aiming guidance for the front beam and consider glare for approaching riders and drivers.
- Demonstrate removal and refitting so the customer can reproduce the checked position after charging or parking.
For a folding bike, include a check after unfolding. For a cargo bike, inspect visibility with the normal load arrangement. These are suggested workshop checks: use the equipment maker's instructions for fitting and adjustment, and quote any replacement parts separately.
Explain what the battery check proves
Record the light model, the mode demonstrated and any charging or runtime concern reported by the rider. Use the manufacturer's instructions to explain charging, battery indicators and the published runtime for the mode the customer intends to use.
Avoid writing “battery good” after briefly switching a lamp on. A functional demonstration does not establish how long it will run on the journey home. If an intermittent fault or shortened runtime needs longer testing, agree that work and its cost separately.
For a bicycle with dynamo or integrated e-bike lighting, record the system details before ordering parts. Route electrical diagnosis through the relevant manufacturer's service procedure. Keep an unresolved lighting fault visible on the job record rather than closing it as a completed accessory check.
Give the rider a useful collection note
A simple handover record should say which lights and reflectors were checked, what was fitted or adjusted, the mode demonstrated and any remaining work. Add a photo of the final mounting position where it helps the customer refit removable equipment.
For example, a completed job note could read:
> We replaced the loose rear-light strap and checked the lamp position with your usual saddlebag fitted. We demonstrated the front and rear controls and recorded the equipment checked. This visit included a function and mounting check; battery runtime was not measured. Please follow the light maker's charging guidance and check both lamps before setting off.
Tailor the message to the work actually completed. If required lighting remains missing or faulty, explain that clearly before collection and tell the rider to resolve it before riding at night. A lighting visit should also have a clear scope so it is not mistaken for a full bicycle service.
Keep accessory work in the repair history
Small fittings are easier to follow up when the next technician can see the lamp model, fault description, agreed work and collection advice. Explore Manage Repairs for bike repair shops and the bike repair shop software guide for organising workshop records. Compare options on the pricing page, or find more customer guidance on the Manage Repairs blog.
Sources
Pages checked on 18 September 2026. The booking, inspection-record and handover workflow is Manage Repairs' editorial guidance; follow the instructions for the equipment being serviced.