no they are NOT part of your running lights unless you add a badlander module to make them that way. which i do to all my harleys. the more lighting in the back the better. the module is about 100 bucks and it is a direct plug in on the bike. under the sear is the plug in for the tail lights you simply unplug the two ends and insert the module onto the male and female plug ins on the bike and you are done. seat back on and ride the the wind.