Bike Light | Evolving Consumer

Eye of the Cat

The CatEye Rapid X safety light won’t leave you in the dark. It can switch from steady mode to flashing mode automatically when the battery power decreases by 20 percent while the flashing mode can provide riders with a full extra hour of light.

Both the front and rear modes are USB-rechargeable and offer Lithium Polymer batteries to go the distance. The lights feature a total of six modes, and will run in high mode for about one hour, low mode for about five hours and in flashing mode for about 30 hours. There is a “Rapid” flash mode will run for about 16 hours, “pulse” flash for about the same amount of time and even a “vibration” flash mode will run for about eight hours. CatEye claims that the pulse mode is “peloton friendly” so fellow riders won’t be blinded by the light.

CatEye Official Website

Smart Thinking

Researchers at the University of Oxford found that the human brain can notice symbols faster than it notices generic lights, and with this in mind a group from the school developed Brainy Bike Lights, which feature an LED “cyclists” symbol instead of just a row of bulbs.

In tests the team found that people were able to quickly identify that it was a bicycle and more importantly reacted more quickly to it. Those in the study reacted about 100 milliseconds faster, which for a car traveling at 30 mph could mean the distance of 1.34 meters. That could make a difference for those on the bike!

The lights are reportedly visible from a distance of 20 meters and provide a field of view of almost 180 degrees. The headlight version can run for about 50 hours while flashing, and the tail light can run for 200 hours. That should be plenty of time to get noticed.

Brainy Bike Lights Official Website

X4 Lights the Spot

There are plenty of ways to be seen while riding or running at night, but Edward Ward of London has created the Commuter X4, a wearable, fiber optic rear bike light that helps drivers judge distance, width and even speed of the cyclist. Ward’s design was even selected as one of the final 20 of the British Inventors’ Project at the Gadget Show Live 2014. His design features four fiber optic light guides and this system can be worn over the back and can also be attached to bags and backpacks. What makes this system also stand out said Ward is that the human eye typically judges distances by focusing on two more focal points and the Commuter X4 provides much more than a single light.

This system is also designed to sit at the optimum height for all road users – again ensuring it can’t be missed. Ward has now launched a Kickstarter campaign to help the X4 get noticed by investors. Video after the jump

Shine Like a Eagle

The Eagle 600 bike light from Magicshine doesn’t necessarily soar higher than most lights, but it does have a little magic of another sort. Unlike most cycling lights this light features an OLED display that shows remaining battery and runtime.

It can be fully charged in about four hours and can run on full power for about 1.5 hours. It also has low modes plus flashing mode to preserve the battery life. On full blast it offers 600 lumens, which is enough to light the road ahead. The best feature is still that lets you know the runtime that is left with the light so you’re not left out in the dark.

Magic Shine Eagle 600 Official Website

Double O Light

The Double O isn’t exactly something we’d expect 007 or any other British super spy to use, but these are being developed in the U.K. by Paul Coksedge Studios through a Kickstarter campaign. The Double Os put out 80 lumens up front and 45 lumens in the rear. The designers suggest that this round style uses less bright LEDs but more and that results in a more visible light – without being blinding or otherwise distractive to drivers and other cyclists.

These charge up in 90 minutes via USB and have three modes – steady, which can run for about 2.1 hours; flashing at 4.2 hours and Eco at about 10 hours. Video after the jump

Fender Lights to Protect from Fender Benders

Being seen at night is really the first line of defense for cyclists, and the developers of the Revolights have created a bicycle fender that features an integrated light. However, the Revolights Arc is much more than a set of LED tail lights – it features sensors that actually allow it to operate much like a brake light as well. It can actually increase in brightness much like a car’s brake or go into a blinking mode to help really draw some attention to drivers.

The Revolights Arc is being developed now via a Kickstarter campaign. Video after the jump

Fly6 Has Your Back

Cyclists need to keep their eyes on the road, but there are times many wish they had eyes in the back of their head to watch for oncoming traffic. The Fly6 Camera and Tail-Light Combo is a bike light and more. It provides a light to alert drivers to a rider’s position, but also features a camera that can record how a driver may have responded.

The design came about after one of the inventors was shot by a slingshot by a passenger in a passing car. The designers, which are now looking to a Kickstarter campaign to help the Fly6 get off the ground so to speak, are hoping that drivers who know they are being filmed will behave more responsibly. Video after the jump

Horny Light

The Orp is making some noise. Launched via a Kickstarter project this is the first bicycle light that integrates a dual-tone horn – emitting 76 or 96 decibels of sound to alert cars, pedestrians, runners and other cyclists. As a light it can also blast out 87 lumens.

Orp Official Website

No Menace to This Phantom

There are plenty of methods for putting lights on bikes to help younger riders be seen at night, but instead of trying to add lights to the frame, the designers of Phantom Frames are looking to light up the bike. The concept, which is being developed via a Kickstarter project that ends today, looks to have a frame that is normal looking during the day – but at night it can’t be missed.

The concept came to light when Ken Spaulding in Santa Ana, California needed to replace his son’s rear bike light. When his son suggested why couldn’t the whole bike light up instead Ken decided to build one. The result was a series of designs including a polycarbonate frame filled with LEDs that resulted in the first prototype. Now Ken and his boy Jack are looking to bring their bright idea to the masses. Video after the jump

SIGGI Lights It Up

Sigma USA looks to cast some light with the SIGGI, a half watt USB rechargeable bike light that features an integrated silicone strap for quick mounting to the handlebars. It offers three modes of operation and has a claimed burn time of up to 10 hours on standard mode. Unlike other lights it provides side visibility panels that emit enough light for increased safety for the rider, but without blinding other riders or drivers. Yet another bright idea.

Sigma USA Official Website

Hand Signals

When riding a bike we know that drivers can’t read our minds when we need to make a turn. The best option – really the only option – is to use hand signals. The problem is that many times drivers still don’t take notice, and at night it can be hard to see these signals.

The Zackees Turn Signal Gloves, which are being developed by San Francisco cyclist Zach Vorhies, a former software engineer at Google, could help make the signals a little clearer to drivers. The gloves are washable, utilize a super bright LED light, and offer a long battery life. The Zackees are now being developed by a Kickstarter project and could be just the thing to make your intentions known.

Video after the jump

Jim Beam Lights the Way

While Jim Beam probably isn’t something that will help the ride home, the Jimmy Beam Down Light will help cyclists be seen at night. Designed for numerous uses including trucks and autos, the bike version casts light around a cyclists so that riders can be seen from a distance. This helps drivers better judge a safe distance when passing riders at night.

Jimmy Beam Down Lights Official Website

GoBe Brings the Light

The GoBe light from Light & Motion could be the “go to” light for all your outdoor needs. This factory sealed rechargeable flashlight can be used up to 120 meters underwater, but will also shine the way on the hiking or biking trail.

It features interchangeable light heads that allow users to choose the best light for their activity, whether it’s white, red, blue, flood or spot. The GoBe also combines the design features of Light & Motion’s popular Sola scuba dive lights with the size and convenience of the company’s commuter bike lights.

There are six activity-specific base models, with the GoBe featuring a 500-lumen Spot Beam, a 500-lumen Search Beam, a 500-lumen NightSea Beam or in a special Pink Body with 500-lumen Spot Beam light-head edition. The GoBe+ also offers a 700-lumen Wide Beam or Spot Beam light head.

The light weighs just 160 grams and comes with underwater photography mounts as well as a versatile handlebar mount. It also includes a battery life indicator, and it can be charged with USB cable. The GoBe offers three power levels, SOS mode, and can run up to 24 hours on a single charge.

Users can customize the light according to their use with interchangeable light heads, sold separately. The GoBe will begin shipping this month.

Light & Motion GoBe Official Website