Good commuting idea?

Anonymous
Anonymous Posts: 79,667
edited December 2008 in Commuting chat
exelite_2-280-75.jpg
LumiPAC rucksack cover

Comments

  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    That kid has just stolen it!!!

    http://www.bikeradar.com/gallery/articl ... %2Farticle
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    hahaha :D
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    So it's a rucksack with some reflective strips on it? Or do they actually take in light and luminesce when it gets dark?
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    read the item: "The LumiPAC clips onto your pack using the included straps, and light is provided through flexible green electro-luminescent lamps powered by four rechargeable AAA batteries."
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    Seems like a pretty okay idea, if you use a rucksack.

    Wonder if the strips are flexible enough to be incorporated into a gilet?
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Always Tyred wrote:
    Wonder if the strips are flexible enough to be incorporated into a gilet?
    Easily i reckon, they're very bendy.
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    Oops, missed the link completely. Sorry sir.
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    Those stripes don't actually mean anything though. How about making them into the shape of a bicycle?
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    I think it might be handy for the 'WTF is that' factor, but the lumens kicked out by this compared to those of a headlamp would probably mean that reflective strips are still more useful.
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • damage36
    damage36 Posts: 282
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    I think it might be handy for the 'WTF is that' factor, but the lumens kicked out by this compared to those of a headlamp would probably mean that reflective strips are still more useful.

    Clever! BUT sometimes bikes are up ahead, out of sight of headlights on dips, or around corners.
    Legs, lungs and lycra.

    Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    They'd be good for laserquest as well.
  • Bikerbaboon
    Bikerbaboon Posts: 1,017
    I dont thinks its a great idea as its going against the regulations, you are displaying a white/blue light to the rear

    http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4071

    If it was a red light it would be a good idea.
    Nothing in life can not be improved with either monkeys, pirates or ninjas
    456
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    Bikerbaboon wrote:
    I dont thinks its a great idea as its going against the regulations, you are displaying a white/blue light to the rear

    http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4071

    If it was a red light it would be a good idea.

    What are the rules about blue or green lights? I skim read the link and it specifies what you can have and indicates you can't have a white rear light, but other than that its pretty vague regarding "additional lighting".

    Particularly given that Xmas is coming up, multi coloured lights might be more common.
    (Don't let that distract you from my serious question)
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Bikerbaboon - as i replied to your comment on the main item, none of that appears to be relevant whatsoever given that the light is not *on* the bicycle.
  • Slow Downcp
    Slow Downcp Posts: 3,041
    For the price though (£40 RRP), would you be better with another light and reflective belt (or similar)
    Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos
  • Bikerbaboon
    Bikerbaboon Posts: 1,017
    If its a light on the rider displaying to the rear its as good as on the bike. Blue lights are reserved on the roads for the emergancy service.

    Putting a visibal light white/blue light faceing to the rear is effectivly the same as indicateing left and moving right. Its just plain crazy to do.

    Im all for efective lighting but please make sure you have the right color in the right directions.

    ( blue is reserved for police ambulance and firebrigade)
    ( green for doctors)
    Nothing in life can not be improved with either monkeys, pirates or ninjas
    456
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    Ta.
  • Mikelyons
    Mikelyons Posts: 154
    Always Tyred wrote:
    Seems like a pretty okay idea, if you use a rucksack.

    Wonder if the strips are flexible enough to be incorporated into a gilet?

    They also sell a Gilet - see http://www.exelite.co.uk/purchases.html?action=lumivest
    This is actually marketed for industry use & doesn't mention use for leisure activities.

    Mike
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Your indicating left/moving right example doesn't compute.

    You're supposed to have reflectors on the bike & pedal reflectors too - how many of us actually have em?

    If a vehicle is close enough that the driver can't tell you're a bicycle rather than a doctor, i don't think any product will help the impending collision...
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    M.Cole wrote:
    If a vehicle is close enough that the driver can't tell you're a bicycle rather than a doctor, i don't think any product will help the impending collision...

    Don't think that really makes sense... the sentence I mean. Or it's me.

    Do they make one with red lights?

    I see your point, Bikerbaboon, but reflective strips also reflect white light to the rear so I don't think it's a huge issue as long as you've a decent rear light as well.

    Nonetheless, I don't think it's worth the money (double the price of a reflective backpack cover) for the minor gain.
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    Another legal oddity I noticed on the CTC site is that dynamos are legal even though they go out when you stop, PROVIDING you stop on the left!

    Always knew they were crap.
  • 2tired2ride
    2tired2ride Posts: 285
    Is it not better just to clip a spare rear light to your backpack?

    Legal and you can tell that you are a bike....o and it's cheaper!

    :D
    "If we all had hardtails we'd all go down the hill, just slower"
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  • the_hundredth_idiot
    the_hundredth_idiot Posts: 813
    I was thinking about getting one of these LumiPACs so thought I'd see if they've been mentioned here. They look like a good idea but I do wonder if they're overkill - will they really make you any more visible than using luminous strips on your backpack?

    Plus there is the risk, particularly this time of year, that you look more like a Xmas tree than a cyclist. :oops:

    I suspect I'll go for one of those luminous humps instead - probablyjust as visible and one less set of batteries to worry about.
    Never be tempted to race against a Barclays Cycle Hire bike. If you do, there are only two outcomes. Of these, by far the better is that you now have the scalp of a Boris Bike.
  • fury21
    fury21 Posts: 71
    a cheaper alternative?
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  • Spitchips - BANNED
    Spitchips - BANNED Posts: 142
    I wear a Karrimotr Hiz jacket but has limitted 3m scotchlight reflective piping so wear a workmansd vest over the top which has rerally thick scotchlight and is alot more visisble. The reflectiove piping ob running/cycling gear is a joke!!!!!
  • Hey Jax
    Hey Jax Posts: 107
    i have this....

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Respr ... 360020757/

    VERY bright, and its waterproof to protect your work clothes inside etc...
    FCN 8 in winter
    my very first bike..ever..
    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/b-twin-5-34963455/

    my new gorgeous-one
    http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/product/ ... DOLCE_2009 I

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