Advocacy & Safety - Mirrors with Blinkers

I found this nifty gadget online today:

http://www.50cycles.com/winkku-safety-mirror.shtml

The ad copy says:
"Advanced LED Technology
"LEDs are so much brighter now than just a couple of years ago" explains Bell. "They're being used for the first time in car headlamps and household lights. So now we can design a bike indicator and be confident it can be seen easily, even in bright sunlight.

LEDs are also a huge step forward in efficiency, so batteries last much longer than with conventional bulbs."

"I've had several near misses when trying to change lanes or turn right" adds Bell, "and thought it would be useful not to have to look round while trying to keep the bike in a straight line, and to be able to indicate just like any other road user. I noticed that car manufacturers now incorporate flashing indicators into door mirrors, and it seemed like the obvious answer for bikes as well."
"

I hope this comes to the LBS, I don't order anything online.

Given the narrow width of a bicycle, I doubt that most motorists would recognize a flashing light on a bicycle as a turn indicator, regardless of its brightness. An arm signal OTOH should be recognizable to any motorist who is paying attention and knows the basics of driving (unfortunately, this is not as high or a percentage of motorists as I would like).

While I tend to agree basically with sauerwald... this might be a handy thing for night cycling... when your outstretched arm just isn't all that visible.

It does look rather heavy though.

It does look rather heavy though.

I thought the same thing, though it is probably 90% air and just as you say 'looks' heavy. An improved design would continue with the easy to remove aspect (anti theft measure) but put the batteries and electronics inside the bar-end. Drilling a tiny hole for a small pair of wires should not compromise bar integrity, that way the switch could be mounted on the brake / gear changer - making the mirror housing even smaller.

Being British I grew up cycling on the left and mastered looking over my right shoulder whilst holding a straight line, my hearing is also more accustomed to judging vehicle motion with the expectation that it would pass my right hand side - noisy vehicles still freak me out. It was not until the recent addition of a mirror on the bar end that I finally found my old confidence return (after more than 8 years). It would be a total understatement to say that I find the mirror indispensable. I tried a helmet mounted mirror a few years ago, but found it too small and after a couple of weeks was glad it broke off - it was either looking at my shoulder or the sky.

I thought the same thing, though it is probably 90% air and just as you say 'looks' heavy. An improved design would continue with the easy to remove aspect (anti theft measure) but put the batteries and electronics inside the bar-end. Drilling a tiny hole for a small pair of wires should not compromise bar integrity, that way the switch could be mounted on the brake / gear changer - making the mirror housing even smaller.

Being British I grew up cycling on the left and mastered looking over my right shoulder whilst holding a straight line, my hearing is also more accustomed to judging vehicle motion with the expectation that it would pass my right hand side - noisy vehicles still freak me out. It was not until the recent addition of a mirror on the bar end that I finally found my old confidence return (after more than 8 years). It would be a total understatement to say that I find the mirror indispensable. I tried a helmet mounted mirror a few years ago, but found it too small and after a couple of weeks was glad it broke off - it was either looking at my shoulder or the sky.

I recall fondly for years being able to feel a car approaching... due to the wind and noise of the car, no doubt... I've been using a mirror on my commuter for about the last 10 years, as the traffic I ride in these days is so heavy I can no longer tell what the traffic situation is by hearing/sense alone. I could never stand the little mirrors either.

Your bar end idea is good... I wonder if they could use a couple of metal bands around that extension piece to carry the current to the lights. Perhaps that would reduce the bulk while still allowing easy removal of the mirror.

Also this does appear to be a British only thing as I only see right hand mirrors...

I doubt weight is a big factor for this company as they seem to focus on electric bikes.

While the mirrors/lights may seem odd for a bicycle... perhaps with the lights that far apart (from the centerline of the bike) there is enough distinction for a motorist to understand that it is a turn signal.

26 pounds sterling is a bit steep though... almost $40 USD. Add in the shipping charges and the price is near $75 USD.

I think I'll just continue to stick my arm out. ;)

While the mirrors/lights may seem odd for a bicycle... perhaps with the lights that far apart (from the centerline of the bike) there is enough distinction for a motorist to understand that it is a turn signal.

Maybe, but I don't think it matters anyway.

Turn signals work best when there's somebody nearby -- normally to your rear flank -- and is there long enough for you to look, signal, then start to make your move.

But, cars aren't nearby for more than a couple seconds. They're either passing you or you're passing them.

And, if you're moving across a lane or three, and you're going significantly slower than approaching traffic, you're running a real danger of getting smushed no matter how well you're illuminated.

The safest time to change lanes, then, is when there's nobody close enough to matter. It would be virtually impossible for you to get hit, even by a totally clueless driver.

Since there's nobody close enough that they need to see your turn signal, that means that turn signals won't be of any use.

IMO -- save your money, and ride smarter.

The motorist is not educated on this device so most will think it's a blinky and not a turn signal. In other words, they will not respect or acknowledge it and you could very well end up as road kill. The motorist only expects a blinking turn signal from a motorcycle or scooter and not a bicycle.

Maybe, but I don't think it matters anyway.

Turn signals work best when there's somebody nearby -- normally to your rear flank -- and is there long enough for you to look, signal, then start to make your move.

But, cars aren't nearby for more than a couple seconds. They're either passing you or you're passing them.

And, if you're moving across a lane or three, and you're going significantly slower than approaching traffic, you're running a real danger of getting smushed no matter how well you're illuminated.

The safest time to change lanes, then, is when there's nobody close enough to matter. It would be virtually impossible for you to get hit, even by a totally clueless driver.

Since there's nobody close enough that they need to see your turn signal, that means that turn signals won't be of any use.

IMO -- save your money, and ride smarter.

I agree with you about the probable efficacy of this device.

Regarding "motorists either passing me or me passing them;" there are times in traffic when you ask for and are granted ROW.

I do this now with a left arm signal and shoulder glance in traffic situations that otherwise would not have gaps long enough for me to cross. I signal and motorists slow down and give me a gap.

One place I do this is where I exit a freeway off ramp (from a permitted freeway access) and have to make a left turn at the top of the ramp... motorists are moving at near freeway speed and slowing... but I am moving at 8MPH or so up hill. I put out my left arm until a motorist actually slows to my speed to permit my turn.

In a case like that... I would not do it at night, nor would this signal device be sufficient. I also tend to agree with the comments from Dahon.Steve.

And of course there are the weight and cost issues. Oh and I don't believe it would work on a drop bar bike.

So all all in all, I vote no on this.

After riding a motorcycle for many years, I am firmly convinced that turn signals are very dangerous. How many motorcycles do you see with the turn signal on forever because the rider forgot to turn it off?

A left or right turn signal on a motorcycle is an invitation to an oncoming car to left hook you.

Don't do it. Just use hand signals, you never have to worry about turniong them off.

....

Also this does appear to be a British only thing as I only see right hand mirrors...



Yeah, I noticed that. that alone would make it totally useless, other than Britain, or places where they drive on the left.

I have blinkers on some of my bikes, and I agree that the right turn signal is an invitation for a right-hook. I only use the left directional. (Or four-way flasher mode).