How to Install a Bike Rack Light Board in Minutes
Installing a light board doesn't have to be complicated. This step-by-step how-to guide shows you how to mount your panel correctly, wire it to your vehicle's lights, and ensure your number plate stays visible, getting you safely on the road in no time. Whether you're heading off for a weekend at the trails or loading up the family bikes for a race day, a Safelite bike rack light board is one of the easiest upgrades you can make to your towbar setup.
Why a Bike Rack Light Board Matters
Modern bikes are expensive, and a driver behind you who can't see your brake lights or indicators is a genuine risk to your gear and your family. Under NZTA rules, obscured lights or number plates can land you with 20 to 25 demerit points and hefty fines. A quality bike rack light bar solves this instantly by keeping your lights and plate clearly visible the moment bikes go on the back of your car.
Step 1: Check the Fit
The Safelite Panel is a universal fit bike rack light designed to slot onto virtually every bike rack sold in NZ. The mounting holes suit inner and outer distances from 31 cm to 52 cm, so before you start, simply check your rack's crossbar spacing falls within that range.
Step 2: Mount the Panel
No tools, no fiddling, no fuss. Here's how it comes together:
- Line up the panel against your bike rack's crossbar.
- Secure it using the two heavy-duty bungee cords with easy-lock toggles.
- Give it a firm tug to make sure it's sitting flush and won't shift on the road.
Because it's made from UV-stable, waterproof aluminium composite, you don't need to worry about rain, dust, or salt spray once it's on. It's built tough for NZ roads and everyday knocks.
Step 3: Plug It In
This is where most drivers expect the hassle, but it's genuinely plug-and-play. The Safelite Panel comes with 1.4 m of cable and a standard flat 7-pin trailer plug that connects straight into any standard NZ towbar socket. No adapters, no wiring knowledge required, just plug it in and check your brake lights and indicators are firing correctly before you drive off.
Step 4: Sort Your Number Plate
If your bike rack or bikes obscure your number plate (and they almost always do), you're legally required to fit an NZTA supplementary number plate. The good news is the Safelite Panel comes with pre-drilled holes and bolts supplied, so fitting your supplementary plate is quick and keeps you 100% road legal. 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.
Step 5: Do a Final Check
- Confirm your brake lights, indicators, and number plate are all visible from at least 200 metres.
- Check the bungees are locked in tight.
- Give the plug a wiggle to ensure it's seated properly in the towbar socket.
Ready to Roll
That's it, your bike rack light board is mounted, wired, and legal in a matter of minutes. With a full two-year warranty backing every Safelite Panel, you can load up your bikes and hit the road knowing you're protecting your gear, your family, and other motorists every time you drive.