Night lighting idea

[flecc]

We've had a number of postings from members making and/or adding additional headlights on their bikes, but here's a suggestion for making a different use for one of them.

The idea is an additional headlight, preferably wide angle LED, mounted on the rear carrier rail and angled up around 50 degrees or so to illuminate the rider's back. The light would still be facing forward and would not dazzle at that upward angle.

With the fairly upright riding position on most e-bikes, and subject to the jacket being fairly light and reflective, the effect would be a cyclist seen as such from the rear at night, something that dipped headlights in particular don't always illuminate.

The unusual nature of this on dark roads would draw more attention than only a rear light, and in towns with too much lighting around, it would be an added safeguard.

There's also the advantage of the psychological effect of a driver seeing a person rather than only an impersonal red light, taking advantage of their social instincts.

Strictly speaking a white light facing forward on the back of the bike possibly not allowed in the regulations, but many types of cycle lighting don't conform. The authorities are more concerned that cyclists are seen, rather than with enforcing regulation minutiae.
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[Nick]

Interesting idea Flecc, and I'll have a look at my bike to see if I can mount something along those lines. I currently have a Dinotte rear light which is extremely bright, and motorists tend to give me much more room when they overtake than when I had a more normal light. It wasn't cheap though, I'm afraid.

 

[HarryB]

This is a variation on the same theme...

Bike Light, Bicycle Light, LED Bike Light - Lightrider TM

 

[flecc]

Only the rider's front lit though Hal, and it's also very illegal to have a white light facing rearwards except as a reverse light. As you say though, still an added safety measure if it can be focussed accurately enough not to spill too much light.

I always regard the rear as the most vulnerable since at least danger from the front can be seen approaching and give a chance for avoiding action. At night even a mirror isn't too effective for proper judgement of rearward approaching danger due to light dazzle.
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[HarryB]

Yes I like your idea a lot - not sure I can cope with putting on any more lights and the batteries they consume. I look a bit like a chrismas tree as it is.

 

[flecc]

Yes I like your idea a lot - not sure I can cope with putting on any more lights and the batteries they consume. I look a bit like a chrismas tree as it is.

Well it's only about four weeks away Hal, and you could tell the kids they get you instead of a tree this Christmas.
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[Ian]

Nice idea Flecc, it could be extended by using a lamp with ultra-violet LEDs and wearing phosphorescent clothing which would then glow. A bit late for Halloween though.

My own circumstances warrant a different type of lighting, the main hazards on my nocturnal journeys across the local country park are not from traffic, but from chavs, junkies and other creatures of the night. Attacks on humans are rare but not unheard of. While dazzled by the glare of a powerful light those in the shadows may just think I'm a nightclub bouncer going to work, however if my whole body was lit they would see that is definitely not the case.

 

[flecc]

In that circumstance Ian, I think I'd just turn off all lights and make a fast run across.

I like the UV idea, could be very effective, and would scare a few.
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[BossBob]

nice idea, tho I am not sure of the reflective bit working due to the 50 degree angle ...... wouldn't that only work if you were looking down on it?

Secondly, I can't see how in this day and age battery costs are a concern, I have been using rechargeable AA and AAA batts for years, as I am sure many others have, the cost is next to nowt, they go on for ever and have a million uses.

I can't say I really feel that threatened when I'm out on the bike

Rab

 

[HarryB]

nice idea, tho I am not sure of the reflective bit working due to the 50 degree angle ...... wouldn't that only work if you were looking down on it?

Secondly, I can't see how in this day and age battery costs are a concern, I have been using rechargeable AA and AAA batts for years, as I am sure many others have, the cost is next to nowt, they go on for ever and have a million uses.

I can't say I really feel that threatened when I'm out on the bike

Rab

Yes and the ones from http://www.7dayshop.com are really very good and cheap. I use them all over the house but the worst thing about cycle lights is the batteries are always a pain to get out - real nail breakers. Now when I get my Agutta and those lovely dynamo lights...it'll probably be summer.

 

[flecc]

I am not sure of the reflective bit working due to the 50 degree angle ...... wouldn't that only work if you were looking down on it?

Rab

I knew when I typed it that someone would challenge.

In fact I meant the reflectivity of man made fibres which with jacket material woven as usual would be multidirectionally reflective, not an intentionally mirror-like reflective material.

I momentarily considered that explanation in the first place but preferred not to be long winded and just get on with explaining the idea.
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[JohnInStockie]

I think its a good idea. I have also often thought that when making a right turn in heavy congested traffic at night, that if the oncoming drivers could see that I was a cyclist better via a front light, they may be more condusive to pausing to let me cross.

Regardless of the law, I think a couple of small white LEDs aimed at the riders torso, from the front and the rear, would vastly improve visability.

 

[flecc]

Thanks John. I'm convinced that seeing a cyclist as a person is far more effective than just single lights which are so easily missed in the welter of lighting that's so commonplace now.
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[JohnInStockie]

Maybe if some sort of 'boom' could be made that came from the back of the seat, and had the light pointing at the back of the rider then rear racks could be accomodated, and then maybe 2 small lights on the handlebars also pointing at the rider, could that do it?

John

 

[flecc]

Yes, that could work, and if I was night riding with my rear light idea I'd mount the light on a stub rising up from the carrier rear a little to give a better angle onto the back.

However, the rider lit all round as you suggest would be best of all, leaving them as safe as in daylight from all angles.

It could catch on, with cars having LCD bodywork and lit all over in their colour!
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[giguana]

a diagonal reflective shoulder strap is super visible.

 

[Jeremy]

It could catch on, with cars having LCD bodywork and lit all over in their colour!

Or alternatively, they might opt to fit cameras linked to the body panel LCDs, so that they appear see-through...................

Make camera/LCD systems into into clothing and we could all become near-invisible!

Jeremy

 

[giguana]

speaking of Christmas tree lights, you could kind of wrap some all over the place and that would be definitely visible.

 

[flecc]

Or alternatively, they might opt to fit cameras linked to the body panel LCDs, so that they appear see-through...................

Jeremy

Then we could have some really super pile-ups on the M 25 and have the police searching for the location for ages before calling in the infra red helicopter.
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[giguana]

you could carry some flash grenades with you and launch them at anyone that drives too close and a fish tank with a glow in the dark fish and stuff.