LED Indicators for bikes... your thoughts.

[MontyVeda]

Does anyone think following traffic is really going to notice a little amber inicator on a push bike? If a driver is at all aware, they are going to be looking for a sicky out arm and not a little flashy thing.

Personally I think the sale of such gadgetry be banned because they're likely to be bought for kids bikes by some relative for xmas, and said kid is going to think "wow, i dont have to stick my arms out anymore!" as they bolt them onto their seatpost.

I'm sure the instructions will say something about 'having to still use hand signals when fitted' by way of a disclaimer, but some bikes carry a sticker saying 'do not ride at night' too! So such advice is likely to be ignored.

am I becoming middle aged and dreaming of a nanny state? I've never heard tell of any collisions or near misses as a result of using indicators on a bicycle, but I do have an over active imagination!

Your thoughts please?

 

[TheDoctor]

Someone relaunches them every few years.
No-one buys them and they vanish.
Repeat.

There's nothing new, and anyone who thinks they've invented something has failed to do any research.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Bar end trafficators

The deluxe version also has the comedy boxing glove on a spring for when someone passes too close

<<<--- calls the Dragons Den

 

[HJ]

They are a solution in search of a problem, a complete waste of time and money...

 

[rusky]

Someone relaunches them every few years.
No-one buys them and they vanish.
Repeat.

There's nothing new, and anyone who thinks they've invented something has failed to do any research.

A bit like the brake light for bikes

 

[guitarpete247]

The idea is good but lights are they too close together for other road users to work out which side of centre line is showing? Do they show up at front? Are they bright enough to be seen in daylight? Do they self cancel once you have turned the corner?
A light on a glove lighting when moved away from the centre of the body would surely be much better as they would allow cyclists to be seen indicating at night. Maybe a string down the sleeve like kids have might turn "glovocator" on. (My name so don't pinch it). How about light coupled with reflective tape would make them more visible. I'm on a roll here. I'm off to the Dragon's Den with this.
This time next year I'll be a millionaire. Cushty.

 

[HLaB]

The idea is good but lights are they too close together for other road users to work out which side of centre line is showing? Do they show up at front? Are they bright enough to be seen in daylight? Do they self cancel once you have turned the corner?
A light on a glove lighting when moved away from the centre of the body would surely be much better as they would allow cyclists to be seen indicating at night. Maybe a string down the sleeve like kids have might turn "glovocator" on. (My name so don't pinch it). How about light coupled with reflective tape would make them more visible. I'm on a roll here. I'm off to the Dragon's Den with this.
This time next year I'll be a millionaire. Cushty.

Somebody had something similar although not that name IIRC it was a jacket and gloves that had motion sensitive switches linked to LEDs. The back of the jacket also had LEDs which were triggered by braking forces.

 

[guitarpete247]

Mine will be cheaper. I'll go down the baler twine/bit of string route to keep my costs down. I can see the money coming in now. You heard it here first. I'm looking for an investment of £30,000 for a 10% stake.

 

[mr_cellophane]

These are much better strapped to your wrist.  Should be available in Aldi soon.

 

[tyred]

People following a car/van/bus/lorry are "programmed" to look out for indicators.

People following a bicycle are "programmed" to expect hand signals and it's not helped by the fact that the only set of these I ever saw had the left and right indicator only about 2" apart. That's too close to be useful from anything other than point blank range. The distance needs to be a few feet to make it useful but who wants to ride a bike with stalks sticking out the side of it?

 

[HJ]

The idea is good but lights are they too close together for other road users to work out which side of centre line is showing? Do they show up at front? Are they bright enough to be seen in daylight? Do they self cancel once you have turned the corner?
A light on a glove lighting when moved away from the centre of the body would surely be much better as they would allow cyclists to be seen indicating at night. Maybe a string down the sleeve like kids have might turn "glovocator" on. (My name so don't pinch it). How about light coupled with reflective tape would make them more visible. I'm on a roll here. I'm off to the Dragon's Den with this.
This time next year I'll be a millionaire. Cushty.

It has already been done, I know someone who has them, he only used them for a short while before giving up...

 

[guitarpete247]

Oh well.
I'll just keep on doing the lottery then.

 

[Maz]

These are much better strapped to your wrist. Should be available in Aldi soon.

Yeah, they're stocking the shelves for xmas now! Jus kiddin.