What safety equipment is required for German electric scooters to drive at night

What safety equipment is required for German electric scooters to drive at night
With the popularity of electric scooters in Germany, more and more people choose this convenient means of transportation. However, safety issues when driving at night cannot be ignored. In order to ensure the safety of riders, relevant German regulations have clear requirements for the safety equipment required for electric scooters to drive at night. This article will introduce in detail the safety equipment required for German electric scooters to drive at night, helping you understand and comply with relevant regulations to ensure the safety of night riding.

I. Active lighting equipment
1. Headlight
The headlight is one of the essential safety equipment for electric scooters to drive at night. It not only allows riders to see the road ahead clearly, but also allows other traffic participants to detect the existence of electric scooters in time, effectively avoiding collision accidents. According to relevant German regulations, the headlights of electric scooters should meet the following requirements:
Brightness: The brightness of the headlight should be high enough to ensure that the rider can clearly see the road conditions within at least 50 meters ahead at night. Generally speaking, the brightness of the headlight should not be less than 50 lumens, but the specific brightness requirements may vary from region to region. It is recommended that riders choose a headlight with appropriate brightness according to the actual use environment.
Illumination range: The illumination range of the headlight should be able to cover the road directly in front of the electric scooter, and the light should be distributed as evenly as possible to avoid partial overbrightness or overdarkness, so as to ensure that the rider can fully understand the road conditions ahead.
Installation position: The headlight should be installed at the front end of the electric scooter, and the position should be as centered and stable as possible to avoid the light being offset or loosened due to vibration or collision during riding, affecting the lighting effect and safety.
2. Rear light
The main function of the rear light is to allow the rear vehicles and pedestrians to detect the existence of the electric scooter in time at night, avoiding rear-end collisions due to poor visibility. German regulations have the following requirements for the rear lights of electric scooters:
Color: The rear light should be red, which is an internationally common warning color, which can effectively attract the attention of the rear traffic participants, reminding them that there is a vehicle in front and they need to keep a safe distance.
Brightness: The brightness of the rear light should be moderate, ensuring that it can be clearly seen at night, but not too dazzling, so as not to cause glare to the rear vehicle driver. It is generally recommended that the brightness be between 30-50 lumens, which can be adjusted according to the actual use environment.
Flashing mode: The rear lights can be in constant or flashing mode. The flashing mode can improve the recognition of the electric scooter to a certain extent, making it easier for the rear vehicles to notice its presence. However, it should be noted that the flashing frequency should be moderate to avoid flashing too fast or too slow to affect the warning effect.
3. Turn signal
The function of the turn signal is to send a signal to other traffic participants in advance when the electric scooter turns or changes lanes, indicating the rider's driving intention, thereby reducing traffic accidents caused by sudden changes in direction. German regulations on the turn signal of electric scooters include:
Color: The turn signal should be yellow or orange. These two colors have high recognition at night and can effectively transmit turn signals to remind surrounding vehicles to avoid.
Brightness and flashing frequency: The brightness of the turn signal should be moderate, which can ensure clear visibility at night without causing visual interference to other traffic participants. At the same time, the flashing frequency should meet international standards, generally 1.5-2.5 flashes per second, to ensure effective signal transmission.
Installation location: Turn signals should be installed on the left and right sides of the electric scooter respectively. The position should be obvious and not easily blocked to ensure that other traffic participants can clearly see the turn signal. Usually, turn signals can be installed in suitable locations such as handlebars or the side of the body.

2. Passive light-emitting devices

1. Reflective stickers
Reflective stickers are a kind of safety equipment that can reflect light at night, making the electric scooter more conspicuous under the light. It has the advantages of low cost, easy installation and significant effect, so it is widely used on electric scooters. The requirements of German regulations for reflective stickers are as follows:
Color and pattern: The color of reflective stickers should be highly recognizable colors such as red, yellow or white. The pattern can be geometric shapes such as stripes, circles, triangles, or other patterns designed according to personal preferences, but it must be ensured that it can clearly reflect light at night and play a warning role.
Size and quantity: The size and quantity of reflective stickers should be reasonably arranged according to the size and shape of the electric scooter. Generally speaking, an appropriate amount of reflective stickers should be affixed to the body, wheels, handlebars and other parts to ensure that the reflective effect of the electric scooter can be seen from different angles. The specific size and quantity can be adjusted according to actual use needs, but the reflective effect should be guaranteed to meet safety standards.
Installation location: Reflective stickers should be pasted on conspicuous positions of electric scooters, such as both sides of the body, wheel spokes, and both ends of the handlebars, to avoid being blocked or covered, to ensure that the reflective warning effect can be maximized when driving at night. At the same time, pay attention to the flatness and firmness of the reflective stickers to prevent them from falling off or warping during riding, affecting the reflective effect.
2. Reflective vests
For users who often ride electric scooters at night, wearing a reflective vest is an effective self-protection measure. Reflective vests can reflect vehicle lights at night, making it easier for riders to be spotted by other traffic participants, thereby reducing the risk of accidents. German regulations on reflective vests include:
Material and quality: Reflective vests should be made of reflective materials that meet safety standards and have good reflective performance and durability. The material of the vest should be comfortable and breathable, and will not cause discomfort to the rider or affect his normal activities. At the same time, the stitching and reinforcement of the vest should be firm to ensure that there will be no open lines or damage during use.
Reflective strip design: The reflective strips on the reflective vest should be reasonably designed and have a wide coverage, and can reflect light from different angles to improve the visibility of the rider. Generally, the reflective strips should be distributed on the front chest, back, shoulders, arms and other parts of the vest to form a clear reflective outline, so that other traffic participants can clearly identify the position and posture of the rider.
Size and adaptability: The size of the reflective vest should be suitable for riders of different body shapes to ensure that it is comfortable and fits the body. The tightness of the vest should be moderate, which can ensure that it will not be too tight to affect blood circulation during riding, and will not be too loose to cause the vest to shift or fall off. At the same time, the vest should have a certain degree of elasticity to adapt to the various changes in the rider's movements during riding.

3. Warning equipment
1. Bell or horn
The bell or horn is a warning device on the electric scooter to remind other traffic participants to pay attention. When driving at night, due to limited vision, the role of the bell or horn is particularly important. By issuing sound signals in time, riders can remind pedestrians or vehicles in front to pay attention to avoid collision accidents. German regulations have the following requirements for bells or horns on electric scooters:
Sound clarity: The sound emitted by the bell or horn should be clear and loud, and can be heard by other traffic participants within a certain distance. The sound should not be ambiguous or too low, so as not to affect the warning effect. Generally speaking, the sound volume of the bell or horn should not be less than 85 decibels, but the specific loudness requirements may vary from region to region. It is recommended that riders choose warning devices with appropriate loudness according to the actual use environment.
Installation location: The bell or horn should be installed in a convenient operating position of the electric scooter, such as near the handlebars, so that the rider can quickly and easily send out sound signals when needed. At the same time, the installation location should avoid affecting the normal use of other equipment and the convenience of the rider's operation.
Durability and waterproofness: Since electric scooters are often used outdoors, the bell or horn should have a certain degree of durability and waterproofness, and be able to adapt to different weather conditions and use environments. Especially in rainy or humid environments, the warning device should be able to work normally and will not be damaged or affected by water or moisture.
2. Warning flag
A warning flag is a warning device used to increase the visibility of electric scooters at night or in poor visibility. It attracts the attention of other traffic participants through bright colors and obvious shapes, and serves as an early warning. German regulations on warning flags include:
Color and size: The color of the warning flag should be bright and eye-catching colors such as red, orange or yellow, which can form a sharp contrast with the surrounding environment and improve recognition. In terms of size, the area of ​​the warning flag should be large enough, generally not less than 30 cm × 30 cm, to ensure that it can be clearly seen within a certain distance. At the same time, the shape of the warning flag can be a triangle, rectangle or other shape with obvious characteristics, so that other traffic participants can quickly identify it.
Installation position and height: The warning flag should be installed at a higher position on the electric scooter, such as the rear of the vehicle or above the handlebars, to ensure that it can flutter in the wind during riding and increase visibility. The installation height should be reasonably adjusted according to the structure of the electric scooter and the height of the rider. It is generally recommended to be no less than 1.5 meters to ensure that the warning flag can be in a higher position and more easily noticed by other traffic participants.
Fixing method and stability: The fixing method of the warning flag should be firm and reliable, able to withstand certain wind and vibration, and avoid falling off or damage during riding. Usually, the warning flag can be installed on the electric scooter through clips, straps or other special fixing devices to ensure that it is stably unfolded during use and plays a warning role.

4. Other auxiliary safety equipment
1. Helmet
Although the helmet is not a device that German regulations require electric scooter riders to wear, from a safety perspective, wearing a helmet can effectively protect the rider's head and reduce the risk of head injury in the event of an accident. Especially when driving at night, due to poor visibility, the probability of accidents is relatively high, so wearing a helmet is particularly important. When choosing a helmet suitable for electric scooter riding, you should pay attention to the following points:
Compliance with safety standards: The helmet should comply with relevant safety certification standards, such as the EU EN 1078 standard, to ensure that it can provide effective protection when it is hit. When purchasing, you should check whether the helmet has the corresponding certification mark and certificate of conformity to ensure product quality and safety.
Comfort and breathability: The inner padding of the helmet should be soft and comfortable, fit the curve of the head, and reduce the discomfort caused by long-term wearing. At the same time, the helmet should have good breathability to ensure that the head can stay dry during riding, and avoid excessive sweating that affects wearing comfort and safety.
Wide field of vision: The design of the helmet should try not to affect the rider's field of vision, ensuring that they can clearly observe the surrounding environment during riding. The front of the helmet should not be too low or too wide, so as not to block the line of sight and affect riding safety.
2. Gloves
Wearing gloves also has a certain safety guarantee when riding an electric scooter at night. Gloves can increase the friction between the hands and the handlebars, prevent slipping due to sweating or moisture on the hands, and thus improve the control of the vehicle. In addition, gloves can also play a certain buffering and protective role when falling, reducing the possibility of hand injuries. When choosing gloves suitable for night riding, you can refer to the following suggestions:
Material and anti-slip performance: The palm of the glove should be made of anti-slip materials, such as rubber or silicone, which can effectively increase the friction with the handlebars and ensure that the handlebars can be held stably in all weather conditions. At the same time, the overall material of the gloves should have a certain wear resistance and durability, and be able to withstand long-term use and friction.
Warmth and breathability: Considering the low temperature at night, gloves should have a certain degree of warmth retention to prevent hands from getting cold and affecting operational flexibility. However, while ensuring warmth, gloves should also have good breathability to avoid excessive sweating of hands, leading to discomfort and safety hazards.
Flexibility and fit: The design of gloves should conform to ergonomic principles to ensure that riders can flexibly operate handlebars and various control devices after wearing them. The size of gloves should be adapted to different hand shapes to ensure a comfortable fit, not too tight or loose, affecting the use effect.

5. Case Analysis and Suggestions
Case Analysis
In a German city, an electric scooter rider was driving at night. Due to the lack of headlights and taillights, a car behind him failed to detect the scooter in time, resulting in a rear-end collision and injuring the rider. The investigation found that the rider did not understand the relevant German regulations well enough and believed that the surrounding light was sufficient when driving on urban roads, and there was no need to install additional lighting equipment. However, due to limited vision at night, the car driver failed to notice the electric scooter without lights in time, which eventually led to the accident.

Recommendations
Fully understand and comply with German regulations: For users who use electric scooters in Germany, whether local residents or international wholesale buyers, they should fully understand and strictly comply with German safety equipment regulations for electric scooters at night. This is not only responsible for their own life safety, but also respect for the safety of others. It is recommended that users carefully read the relevant product instructions and regulatory requirements when purchasing electric scooters to ensure that the vehicle is equipped with safety equipment that meets the standards.
Choose reliable safety equipment: When equipping electric scooters with safety equipment, you should choose products with reliable quality and meet safety standards. For example, the headlights and rear lights should have sufficient brightness and stability, reflective stickers and reflective vests should be made of high-quality reflective materials, and the sound of bells or horns should be clear and loud. When purchasing, you can refer to product reviews, user feedback, and test reports from professional institutions to choose reputable brands and suppliers.
Regularly check and maintain safety equipment: The normal operation of safety equipment is the key to ensuring safety at night. Therefore, riders should regularly check and maintain the safety equipment of electric scooters, such as checking whether the lights are working properly, whether the reflective stickers are intact, and whether the warning equipment is sensitive and effective. If any problems are found, they should be replaced or repaired in time to avoid safety accidents caused by equipment failure.
Strengthen safety awareness training: For users of electric scooters, especially international wholesale buyers and other groups, safety awareness training should be strengthened to make them fully aware of the importance of night driving safety and the correct use of safety equipment. Relevant knowledge and regulations can be popularized to users through training lectures, distribution of promotional materials, online courses, etc., to improve their awareness and initiative of safe travel.

In short, German electric scooters need to be equipped with a series of safety equipment for night driving, including active lighting equipment (headlights, rear lights, turn signals), passive lighting equipment (reflective stickers, reflective vests), warning equipment (bells or horns, warning flags) and other auxiliary safety equipment (helmets, gloves, etc.). These devices play an important role in improving the visibility of riders at night, reminding other traffic participants to pay attention, and protecting the safety of riders themselves. As users of electric scooters, whether individuals or international wholesale buyers, they should pay full attention to the configuration and use of these safety equipment, comply with relevant German laws and regulations, and ensure the safety and compliance of night driving. At the same time, by selecting products of reliable quality, regularly inspecting and maintaining equipment, and strengthening safety awareness training, the safety of electric scooters at night can be further improved, providing strong protection for the lives and property of yourself and others.