Beyond helmets: two products in the works to evolve bike safety

Monday, 29 December 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

AFP: In response to big city cyclists who know the turn-of-the-century ‘ding-a-ling’ bike bell doesn’t suffice anymore, a high decibel, customisable warning signal is in the works.

It’s being developed at the same time as another bicycle product that, inspired by a recent safety report, warns cyclists and drivers of shared proximity. The latter, called the Backtracker, is a two-piece LED-equipped product whose objective for cyclists is “see and be seen,” building on the latest safety report from the League of American Bicyclists, which says that most fatal bike accidents are caused by a vehicle behind the cyclist. The report also brings to light the dangers imposed upon cyclists by quiet, electric vehicles and the Backtracker’s handlebar-mounted unit is an LED-equipped radar that pinpoints the proximity of objects, making up for limitations of mirrors which can be hard to read due to glare from the sun. The cyclist can count on an eye-catching LED display, mounted beneath the saddle, to warn approaching vehicles of his presence more reliably than reflective gear, whose effect is variable depending on environmental visibility. The Backtracker team reports on their crowd funding page that they believe their product is “a big step towards bringing cycling into the 21st century.” There’s also room on 21st-century handlebars for MYBELL, the first customisable ‘digital horn’ also equipped with LED warning lights.

The sound is not only loud-audio output upwards of 105 decibels — it’s also highly variable, including options ranging from alarms typically used on 18 wheelers, to techno hits, to cutesy ‘toot-toots’ for less urgent warnings. Users can also download clips of their favourite tunes, synchronisable with light pattern warning signals. The device allows users to select their preferences by connecting online via a waterproof USB port and offers a variety of pre-loaded sound and light pattern warning options, like the appropriately titled ‘Knight Rider’ light pattern alarm. “We don’t live in a one-sound-fits-all world,” say the founders on their crowdfunding page. “Different sounds elicit different responses depending on geography and culture.” Envisioning respect for pedestrians in the vicinity, the device allows users to store two sound files at a time, one for use in urgent situations, and a less jarring sound for friendly reminders. MYBELL is the 2013 winner of the New York’s Next Top Makers inventor’s competition and has received prize money from the following competitions: Miller Lite’s Tap the Future Business Innovation competition; Engadget’s Insert Coin; NYC’s Consumer Electronics Pitch Night; and the 2014 New York Design Awards for R&D. It is available for pre-order at an introductory price of $ 99, with delivery estimated for February 2015. International shipping is available for $ 15. At press time, 169 backers had pledged more than $ 20,000, with 30 days left to reach its final funding goal of 90,000. The Backtracker is available for pre-order for $ 149 with an estimated ship date of December 2014. Shipping extends to the USA, South Africa, EU, Canada and Australia. Founders have so far collected more than $ 20,00 towards their goal of $ 226,000 with 51 days of crowd funding remaining.