A Thoughtful Trucker Tries to Design a Safer Bike Light - Core77
A Thoughtful Trucker Tries to Design a Safer Bike Light - Core77
Cyclists can be hard for motorists to see, particularly motorists in larger vehicles. British trucker Jay Singh observed this firsthand, having spent decades driving a hauling truck around the UK. Singh himself eventually took up cycling, and "after one too many close shaves while cycling in London ...
Cyclists can be hard for motorists to see, particularly motorists in larger vehicles. British trucker Jay Singh observed this firsthand, having spent decades driving a hauling truck around the UK. Singh himself eventually took up cycling, and "after one too many close shaves while cycling in London [decided] to invent
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Who is this designed for? Pro racers? Ordinary cyclists?
For me, taking up that much room up front means that I can't run a handlebar bag or front basket. That alone is a dealbreaker.
A regular bike light and high mounted camera work just fine for me. And it doesn't interfere with anything else I have on the bike.
Commuters I figure, This would fit on some handlebars with room to spare, but I'm thinking like Surky Moloko bars or something. If this thing takes off, maybe they'll make accessories for it: I bet you could fit a cup holder and pouch behind the curves.
I bet you could fit a cup holder and pouch behind the curves.
I can't imagine reaching over my bars (or stretching my arm out under them) to grab a bottle from there.
This would make using a front rack with a basket on it, or even just a basket, or even just a handlebar bag, impossible.
Even the rear one is so massive that you wouldn't be able to use a saddle bag or a rear basket on some bikes.
I just personally think there are much better options that accomplish the same, but with more mounting options and a much lower price tag.
Seems like this could be mounted on the basket/rack too but what alternatives? I'd like to check them out.
but what alternatives? I’d like to check them out.
There are a ton, but you can get more specific depending on your needs.
I ride with a Varia radar, which has a light built in. That can be mounted on a seat post, under the saddle, on the back of a bag/trailer, and it spreads light REALLY well.
On the front, I'd say it depends a lot on your use. Someone who is touring will want/need something different vs someone who's commuting.
I like Olight headlights (also Magicshine, which have the same models). They use a garmin mount, so really easy to place them anywhere.
I recently got a Lumintop B01, which is a "flashlight style", but very specific beam pattern for cyclists. It uses removable batteries, lasts hours and hours, and can also be mounted just about anywhere.
I also love the Nitecore BR25 (discontinued), which is also a flashlight style but has a really nice, beam cutoff and shines onto the bike/ground for max visibility.
But all my options need to have very long run times. Someone who only needs a light for an hour can get away with something much smaller. I have several other lights that can be used quickly with no special mounts. And a clip on rear light for my trailer(s), which is also highly visible and can turn brighter when I'm slowing down or stopping (like a car's rear lights).
Just to give you an example of an Olight RN1500 headlight (at low brightness) and the Varia RT515 (default mode). Both lights can easily be seen from the side, in addition to any reflective elements on my bike/bags/clothing/helmet:
A driver would need to be blind to "not see" me.
Those Varias do seem pretty great! I'm using a Sofirn headlamp right now and it's pretty good for the price but I wouldn't mind an upgrade eventually.
One thing about the varia that really helps make you more visible is that it will flash faster as a vehicle approaches.
Yeah, neat that it gives you a heads up too.
Yes, very useful on rural roads and quieter suburban streets. It also works well on trails where e-scooters/e-bikes might ride up behind you without warning (to pass).
But in a city, the radar just goes off constantly, so it's less useful if you only ride in busy city streets.