Curiouswill

I'm just a little curious to see what kind of ideas that the cyclist around here could come up with.

For example one of my electronic idea that was apparently have not been thought up was this. A circuit that attach to the back of the bike in a way so that the proximity sensor (or other equilivant) could sense a vehicle approaching from behind thus alerting the cyclist via a small row of mini-led clip on the top of the glasses (or hangs from the edge of the helmet).

I have also had a idea that would work with panniers to help get rid of having to signal manually. Instead of using blinkies when using panniers, use a small system of red and yellow lights to set up brake light and turn signal light. the brake light would blinks anytime not braking, and when it brakes, the light turn on full. the signal turn switch could be a 3 way toggle put on the middle of the handlebar. (just make sure to wire 2 led to either side to let you know if you have left the blinker on). :EDIT: oh I forgot to mention, the light would be put on the back of the pannier so you can clearly seperate and show the right and left turn signal. Might turn some head waiting for a turn at a stop :EDIT:

So do anybody here have any ideas that would incorporate electronics into your everyday riding? e-bike is not included since it have already been discussed around here some. it the new electronic idea that I'm curious about and hopefully helps offers motivations for others to experiment with. Unfortunately I can't do most of these projects cause of low electronic supplies and general inexperiences despite my imaginations. Plus you never know, somebody here might put up one of those "why I didn't think of that before?!?" ideas

neil0502

I would submit that such an idea already exists ... in a low-tech, but highly effective form: the mirror.

Nobody ever really sneaks up on me from behind without me either hearing or seeing them. Generally, this includes other cyclists. I look PROactively while I ride.

Personally, I'd rather rely on that method than on an electronic gizmo that lulls me into a false sense of security.

My $0.02.

ax0n

one problem with signals is that even on motorcycles, turn and brake signals are hard to see. And those are with DOT compliant signals. The very same signals off of a motorcycle moved over to a bicycle wouldn't be any easier to see.

As far as a proximity sensor thing, I think a mirror is a more elegant and lightweight solution.

It's not that they're bad ideas -- far from it. They are, however, overly complex and heavy options to problems that have already been solved in a simpler fashion.

Niles H.

Yes, I have some, and I think you are on an interesting track here. There is a lot of room for creativity.

One option: piezo emitters. They could be mounted on the bike, and controlled with one or more switches or buttons on the handlebars. They could serve to wake up inattentive drivers. They could also be used to warn other cyclists and pedestrians.

They make good dog deterrents as well.

All with the push of a button.

If I were setting up a system, I would want to be able to control volume -- everything from a gentle reminder (for someone on a mellow bike path), to hair-raising blasts for emergencies.

***
Daytime strobe lights are another area. (I was planning to start another thread on this topic).

Bill Kapaun

Will, as I recall, you are hearing impaired and some kind of signal to alert you would be handy.
I think the concept is good, but what if it quit working without your knowledge? Maybe a pothole jars the battery or???
I think for your safety, get an extra mirror or 2. One on each side of the bar, aimed a little differently to see at different angles and a helmet mirror.
For turn signals, how many drivers would actually know what they are? They simply don't expect them on a bicycle. Even if it worked 99.9% of the time....

How's the bike working out?

oldroads

A few years ago I tried to make a rig to charge re-chargable batteries from a bicycle generator.

It never really worked...

Curiouswill

yeah the mirror would works, the rear sensor would just be a extra additions just to help boost your chance of spotting vehicles.

The bike is working out pretty well. thanks though I'm starting to see how difficult it is to keep my bike in shape, especially since I don't have the money to get some of the specialized tools (such as the chain tool)and the fact is that the best bike shop I can get to requires both bikes and bus to get there which can be a huge hassle if I didn't have the day off at the time i need to go there.

about how to be sure that the sensor wouldn't break without you knowing. the led clip-on will have several led in a row, the very first one would be the "on" light and the closer the vehicles get the more led will light up from the farthest side.

The turn signal could be made of 2 arrow shaped plastic which would disperse the light from several LED well. if somebody could make a working one with a bright enough light, then the ppl waiting behind should be able to understand somewhat what this mean. If I had this, it would allow me to circumnavigate the law requiring me to signal at least 100 feet in advance and continuously. I know that I'm thinking a bit much about the law but I absolutely HATES being pulled over by cops even when I had a car (Don't get me wrong, I don't hate cops just the part about not knowing what you did wrong when you get pulled over).

The piezo emitter would be a great idea, especially if you could bolt it on your bike strong enough to leave it there, the reason being is that with such a emitter, you might be able to set up a wire around your locks so whenever anybody cut it to try to steal your bike, it would blast on top volume. I believe that this would be a definite attention grabber!

How would a daylight strobe light be used? just wondering.

sound like a cool idea except that since you will be outside riding, it might be better to use a travel sized solar panel to recharge your batteries. I think there is a jacket with built in flexible solar panel specially designed to power several electronics plus batteries too.