We first heard about Blaze back in June of 2011. This handlebar-mounted laser cast a virtual bike in front of you to provide a signal to cars that you were in their blind spot. The system was developed by University of Brighton student Emily Brooke in the U.K. That was the last we heard of it, until now. In the nearly a year and a half that has passed Brooke has launched a company, developed a working prototype and launched a Kickstarter project to fund the creation of the first batch. Video after the jump
Tag: Door prize
NYC Taxi Video Raises Door Prize Awareness
httpv://youtu.be/LcprI3xFf24
As a former New York city resident and cyclist, I’m very familiar with the door prize. That’s what happens when you’re riding and the driver or passenger opens the car door in front of you at a point when running into it is unavoidable. NYC DOT (Department of Transportation) produced a 30-second video that airs in taxis around the city to raise awareness and advises passengers to exit the taxi on the right side – by the curb – and to look before opening the door.
Blaze a Virtual Bike in the Bike Lane
Back in 2009 there was LightLane, which provided a virtual bike cast as an image just ahead of you while you rode. Now there is Blaze, a handlebar-mounted laser that projects a personal bike lane marker. Developed by University of Brighton student Emily Brooke in the U.K., her concept could do what LightLane never did – that is actually make it to critical mass.
While Ms. Brooke still has yet to bring her product to market as well, it seems like a winner to use. The battery power Blaze essentially projects a bright green laser image, which is bright enough to be seen in daylight, of a bike onto the road ahead, warning drivers that you could be in their blind spot. Brooke reportedly consulted with road safety practitioners, Brighton & Hove City Council, the Brighton & Hove Bus Company as well as psychologists who specialize in driving.
Brooke’s idea reportedly won her a place on the Entrepreneurship Program at Babson College in Massachusetts, and hopefully this would be enough to make sure that future riders don’t win the “door prize.”