A New Idea in Bike Lights

As night falls earlier every day, I’m looking into commuter lights with renewed interest. I’ve recently upgraded to a high-output rechargeable LED headlight, and am very pleased with the results. More about that. While digging for safety statistics for 900MPG, I found another product which is pretty interesting. The idea is that the light illuminates the RIDER (not the road), so that you are more visible to other road users. Interesting. I don’t think you need a particularly special light for this, and it’s a good thing, because as far as I can tell, you can’t buy these anywhere.

Regardless, it’s the idea that matters, and you might give it a try with a white bike light that you can pickup for $10 at any bike shop. I think pointing it at your chest or back - especially if you’re wearing a bright yellow jacket - would be more visible, at least from one angle. Their placement is interesting, visible from all angles, and I think they like the idea that your legs are moving. I might just strap my old headlight on in a new place and see what happens. I’ll report back. I had the idea myself last year when my light accidentally rotated toward me. I stopped short of trying to invent something new when I realized that you could just use any white bike light as-is, off the shelf.

Here’s the website: http://www.safebicycling.com/

I have to add that their little safety video is completely over-the-top and pretty crappy in general. I think they call it “a revolution in bicycle riding safety science” or something like that - uh, yeah. It’s an LED light, like all the others. Kind of annoying, actually. Add that to the lackluster before-and-after videos and you might be wondering what’s so revolutionary about it. I couldn’t really see the dramatic difference that they are suggesting. Still, the idea is interesting. Maybe you can come up with something similar / better / cheaper.