Bike Rack Light Board Installation: A Step-by-Step Guide
Installing a light board on your bike rack doesn't have to be complicated. This step-by-step guide walks you through mounting, wiring, and testing your supplementary panel, ensuring your number plate and lights remain visible and fully compliant on every trip. Whether you're loading up for a weekend at the trails or heading off on a family road trip, getting your Safelite bike rack light board fitted properly takes just a few minutes.
Why Fitting a Bike Rack Light Board Matters
When your bike rack (or the bikes themselves) covers your brake lights, indicators, or number plate, you're breaking NZTA rules. That can mean 20 to 25 demerit points per offence, plus fines. More importantly, it puts you, your whanau, and other drivers at risk. A properly installed Safelite Panel keeps everything visible from at least 200 metres, exactly as the law requires.
What You'll Need Before You Start
- Your Safelite bike rack light board
- The two supplied heavy-duty bungee cords with easy-lock toggles
- Your NZTA supplementary number plate and bolts (holes are pre-drilled and ready)
- Your vehicle's standard 7-pin flat trailer plug socket
No tools required. That's the beauty of a plug-and-play system designed specifically for Kiwi conditions.
Step-by-Step Installation
1. Position the Light Board on Your Rack
Because the Safelite Panel is a universal fit, it slots onto virtually every bike rack sold in New Zealand. The mounting holes suit inner and outer distances from 31 cm to 52 cm, so line the board up with your rack's frame before securing it.
2. Secure It with the Bungee Cords
Hook the two heavy-duty bungee cords onto your rack and clip them into place using the easy-lock toggles. There's no fiddling required, even in the rain. Give the board a gentle tug to make sure it's firmly seated and won't shift while you're driving.
3. Plug In the Wiring
The 1.4 m cable ends in a standard flat 7-pin trailer plug, so it connects straight into any standard NZ towbar socket. There's no wiring or adapters to mess around with, just plug it in and you're ready to go.
4. Fit Your Supplementary Number Plate
Using the pre-drilled holes and supplied bolts, attach your official NZTA supplementary plate to the light board. Remember, it's illegal to use a homemade plate or simply hang one loosely, it must be fixed to a hard, flat surface and illuminated at night, which the Safelite Panel handles for you.
5. Test Everything Before You Drive
With your bikes loaded, ask someone to stand behind the vehicle while you test your indicators, brake lights, and number plate illumination. This quick check confirms everything is clearly visible and working as it should.
Built to Last on New Zealand Roads
The Safelite Panel is made from UV-stable, waterproof aluminium composite, so it shrugs off rain, dust, salt spray, and everyday knocks. It's designed and built right here in New Zealand, backed by a full two-year warranty, so you can buy once and buy right.
Ready to Get Rolling?
Fitting a bike rack light board really is this simple: mount it, plug it in, attach your plate, and test it. In just a few minutes, you'll protect your valuable bikes, keep your family safe, and stay fully compliant with NZTA rules on every trip. Shop the Safelite range today and drive with confidence.