Garmin Varia Light Flash Pattern Ban Extended in the EU: Nine Months Later

To flash or not to flash. That is the question.

Towards the end of last year, we reported on the increased restrictions placed upon Garmin Varia’s dynamic flash patterns in the EU, most notably in Germany and France, where the use of flashing bike lights was restricted due to safety and legal concerns. Now, nine months later, a combination of EU directives, Garmin’s firmware updates, and feedback from cyclists has reshaped the landscape. Let’s take a look. Can you flash, or not?

Updated Legislation in the EU

When the EU forces a change, the world takes on the consequences.

France issued a decree (No. 2024-1074, to be precise) on November 29, 2024, prohibiting flashing rear lights at night or in low-visibility situations. The rationale was to reduce driver distraction. However, daytime flashing lights are exempt. Contrast that to the confusing situation in Germany, where flashing lights are completely banned on bicycles, yet many cyclists know there are workarounds, like attaching a flashing light to a backpack.

Now, starting in June this year, yet another new EU directive requires all bicycle lights to default to a steady mode, with flashing modes restricted to daytime use or disabled entirely in countries like France and Germany. The directive also demands a minimum brightness of 20 lumens for rear lights and requires manufacturers to ensure compliance on older models through firmware or hardware adjustments. This poses obvious challenges for small manufacturers trying to make a standard product to suit the needs of multiple markets – one of the whole points of the EU is to set such standards. 

Flawed Legislation?

Gotcha! Getting caught has a price.

France has a €68 fine for breaking the bike lights laws—a standard penalty for minor traffic violations. Yet, cyclists sensibly point out that treating flashing lights the same as having no lights makes no sense – flashing lights are clearly a safety feature to some degree, whereas using no light is unsafe.

However, critics argue that flashing lights make judging a cyclist’s position or speed harder, particularly at night.

Garmin’s Response: Firmware Updates + New Products

In response, Garmin added several firmware updates for its Varia RTL515 and RCT715 smart radar taillights. For example, in early 2025, version 5.50 for the RTL515 and version 3.36 for the RCT715 introduced a pulsing mode that varies light intensity without completely switching off between pulses—hence, compliance with France’s regulations is guaranteed, and safety from heightened visibility is maintained. The RCT715, which boasts an additional rear-facing camera, also received the updates.

Garmin launched a further model – the Varia RTL516. This was specifically designed for Germany and only offers steady or pulsing modes, ensuring compliance with that country’s local laws. In a nice touch, Garmin Germany introduced a trade-in program for up to 3.7 million Varia owners, giving discounts on the RTL516 when exchanging older models.

New Garmin Products, New Competition

Garmin had the original radar taillight, and its subsequent iterations remain highly popular and trusted. However, competitors are starting to gain attention. The most recent example this month was from Lezyne, but a better-known brand, Wahoo, launched the highly competent TRACKR radar taillight, which also includes a brake light triggered by an accelerometer and an ambient light sensor that automatically switches to steady mode at night.

Along with other cyclists, I have noticed relatively swift battery degradation in the RTL515. Hopefully, future models will add replaceable batteries and the ability to charge with USB-C. Perhaps Garmin can add more energy-efficient components. For me, I’d be happy with a bigger battery to get me up to 20 hours per charge, and I would put up with the associated weight penalty.

Potential updates for Garmin’s RCT715, a heavier model with a loop-recording camera, would likely be higher-resolution video, improved low-light performance, image stabilisation and a more capable smartphone app.

Safety Concerns from Science

Flashing lights present a double-edged sword: they enhance visibility, but may pose challenges for driverless cars or individuals with epilepsy.Both peripheral concerns at the moment but driverless cars will certainly become more common in the near future.

A 2024 Dutch study found that steady bike lights make it easier for car drivers to track movement to determine the cyclist’s direction and speed. A complementary 2023 UK study showed that steady bike lights in low-light conditions are best for helping drivers determine a cyclist’s position, whereas the obvious benefits of flashing lights are limited to the initial detection.

Takeaway

The EU’s ever-increasing regulation drives change, and perhaps even innovation, in cycling technology. Larger companies like Garmin will comply by default, and any changes mandated by the EU thus become more likely to be available globally if the product can be standardised across regions – that makes Garmin’s job easier and we benefit as a result.

Smaller companies also have to adhere to the regulations, but we are starting to see many non-compliant products in other walks of life that are simply not checked when entering our countries, and the authorities have zero enforcement against their use. How will this pan out?

From a bottom-line product perspective, the Garmin RTL515 and RCT715 remain industry leaders, but competitors are closing the gap. A next-generation RTL515 with USB-C charging, improved light modes, and longer battery life is likely on the horizon—ideally before the darker months arrive. They are also likely to be quite a bit more expensive than existing models.

Key Sources

• France’s Decree No. 2024-1074: [Official Journal via Service-Public.fr]
• Garmin Firmware Updates: [Garmin Support] and [Forums]
• German StVZO light rules: [BikeRadar Guide]
• EU Standards: [Compliance Gate Overview]  
• Wahoo TRACKR RADAR: [Wahoo Product Page] and [Detailed Review from this site] 
• Safety Studies: [Bishop et al. 2024 (ScienceDirect), and 2023 Preprint Discussion]