Bike Indicators Good Idea or Fad?

ASHLEYF

What do you guys think of the idea of indicator for our bikes? Bike indicators are an interesting idea as a year round commuter i like the idea, going to and from work in the dark would i think be safer although how much remains to be seen. A friend of mine is developing an indication system that will be available early 2010. He has patented an idea for a pair of motion sensor wrist bands with LEDs that activate when you flick your arm out to turn, i think he said they will retail for circa £30 for a pair. You can register interest at

b-indicated@hotmail.com the marketing material i believe will be available in 3-4 weeks.

whyamihere

They're an awful idea, and they already exist.

Aidy

Yeah, I've seen hundreds of different implementations of indicators. The concept's been around for at least 20 years now. I've yet to see a single bike/cyclist with them on.

It's solving a non-existant problem, that's why they've never been successful.

eltonioni

Sounds likea whole new bunch of things for some motorists to moan about.

Runoutofgears

Better to get gloves with reflectives and stick your arm out.

Wildboar

Yes I received a set of Bicygnals for Christmas and the only reason I would fit them is to use the lights Front and Rear as opposed to the indicators but I am more likely to get myself a dynamo and a set of lights tbh. Anyway they weigh a ton and I'm no weight junkie type..

bigbelly

As a commuter I am interested. But I agree with the slight weight issue. There was a product called safeturn which you had to "flick" your arm. Originated from Australia I think.

deptfordmarmoset

Runoutofgears wrote:

Better to get gloves with reflectives and stick your arm out.

+1. Arms are really flexible, low weight and give a clear distance between body and hand to indicate which direction you're turning towards. Reflective armbands also do the trick.

shouldbeinbed

not for me thanks. I've put arrow shaped reflectors on my gloves, I use reflective slap bands and have ones with flashy LED's all of which are way less than £30, don't rely on a motion sensor working (more actions = more to go wrong) and serve me perfectly well commuting daily often in the dark/dusk even in summer.

I'm always concerned that small flashy bits don't do what they are intended to do as motorists aren't expecting indicators on a pedal bike so tend to thinks its something on a car, motorbike or roadside sign a lot further away.

anything that could affect a drivers perception of how far away I am isn't sensible and is likely to increase my danger ot reduce it.

I think it'd be a costly novelty product for bikes adding nothing to rider safety but may be better aimed at the equestrian market for on road horse riding.

CiB

Blue Peter featured some, over 30 years ago. There was no real point then and there isn't now. On the bike there's not enough width to differentiate left & right, and on the arms they look like Dr Who props, a flashing light in mid air. Not for me thanks.

iain_j

Another rear-facing flashing light on a bike isn't going to mean much to a motorist, whether it's red or amber, or in the middle or off to the right/left.

Bassjunkieuk

I got a set of these for Christmas from a friend.
I think the website they are on pretty much shows they are a novelty item and the lead that is attached to the buttons to activate them is far to short to be used seriously :-)

I think Tesco where doing a blinking wristband that had red lights on them that the wife picked up for me. I haven't used them as it was actually a bit to big to fit nicely around a wrist or forearm (or my arms are to small..........). I got a DHB Amberley jacket at Christmas and chose the high-vis version is bright green with plenty of reflective stripping on and my gloves also have reflective piping on. As I've only been using that combination for a week or so I can't say if I've noticed a marked improvements in drivers being aware of me as I've only ridden fairly short rides on the commute since.