Anyone use a Whizzzz?
02-27-12, 10:39 PM
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Anyone use a Whizzzz?
Whizzzz side warning device? I posted this on the Advocacy Safety group but probably should have posted it here as I think it would be used mostly by commuters.
Link on Amazon click here
Has anyone bought one of these and what do you think?
Developed by the Red Cross in Finland and apparently works quite well day or night.
My impression is that yes, it looks dorky, but also very effective and unlike the side flag devices which tend to be less visible with speed, this one is quite noticeable at any speed. Would be especially useful to commuters and anyone else looking for more safety on the streets.
I would rather it was printed with "Caution," or something like that instead of Whizzzz though! Might be easy to paint over the lettering and put your own warning in place of it.
Link on Amazon click here
Has anyone bought one of these and what do you think?
Developed by the Red Cross in Finland and apparently works quite well day or night.
My impression is that yes, it looks dorky, but also very effective and unlike the side flag devices which tend to be less visible with speed, this one is quite noticeable at any speed. Would be especially useful to commuters and anyone else looking for more safety on the streets.
I would rather it was printed with "Caution," or something like that instead of Whizzzz though! Might be easy to paint over the lettering and put your own warning in place of it.
02-27-12, 10:55 PM
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Looks like you've got to get a Whizzzz for your Whizzer!
02-28-12, 07:22 AM
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Wow, those are OLD. Side flags used to come installed on most bikes here, but now you seldom see them.
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02-28-12, 08:19 AM
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Whizzzz side warning device? I posted this on the Advocacy Safety group but probably should have posted it here as I think it would be used mostly by commuters.
Link on Amazon click here
Has anyone bought one of these and what do you think?
Developed by the Red Cross in Finland and apparently works quite well day or night.
My impression is that yes, it looks dorky, but also very effective and unlike the side flag devices which tend to be less visible with speed, this one is quite noticeable at any speed. Would be especially useful to commuters and anyone else looking for more safety on the streets.
I would rather it was printed with "Caution," or something like that instead of Whizzzz though! Might be easy to paint over the lettering and put your own warning in place of it.
Link on Amazon click here
Has anyone bought one of these and what do you think?
Developed by the Red Cross in Finland and apparently works quite well day or night.
My impression is that yes, it looks dorky, but also very effective and unlike the side flag devices which tend to be less visible with speed, this one is quite noticeable at any speed. Would be especially useful to commuters and anyone else looking for more safety on the streets.
I would rather it was printed with "Caution," or something like that instead of Whizzzz though! Might be easy to paint over the lettering and put your own warning in place of it.
02-28-12, 10:00 AM
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Never seen it before, but it looks like a pretty good idea actually. Dorky yes but I'm sure it increases your visibility.
02-28-12, 11:41 AM
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always rides with luggage
... I don't think you would ride with all three. Or maybe you would.
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Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
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02-28-12, 08:05 PM
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Is it dishonest to make drivers think that you are wider than you are?
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02-28-12, 10:01 PM
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02-28-12, 10:05 PM
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Not if you can keep some of them from blowing you off the road.. I've had really close calls and I think that if I had one of these, or one of those side flags, it would have kept those drivers at bay. They have done studies and found that a distance of about 15" doesn't interfere with traffic but sticks out far enough to keep drivers a safe distance away as they pass and apparently in Finland this device has had great success.
02-28-12, 10:11 PM
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..I guess it's what we get used to seeing and then begin to think it actually looks cool, right? I think that maybe if this Whizzzz device had different printing on it and a more exotic look it might become quite popular and would in the process maybe save a lot of bikers lives?
02-28-12, 10:18 PM
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I have a Flash Flag, and to increase nighttime visibility, I added strips of 3M Diamond grade reflective tape to both the cruciform pole AND the flag itself. Motorists have commented at how visible it is. Plus, I can fold it out of the way when not needed. And it's a flag, which is less dorky than a spinning reflector.
02-28-12, 10:20 PM
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02-28-12, 10:31 PM
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How about if instead of "The Whizzzz" it reads:
"This Bike Is Wind Powered" ... or, "Wind Powered Experimental Vehicle" ... etc.
OR:
"I Usually Fly But I Lost My Right Engine" ...or, "I Just Landed, Keep Clear" ... etc.
OR:
"They All Said It Couldn't Be Done... etc.
Or, if all of the above is too corny.. how about a simple, "CAUTION!"
Looks like the imprinting is on a tape that can be removed and might not be that hard to replace with other text... Any ideas?
"This Bike Is Wind Powered" ... or, "Wind Powered Experimental Vehicle" ... etc.
OR:
"I Usually Fly But I Lost My Right Engine" ...or, "I Just Landed, Keep Clear" ... etc.
OR:
"They All Said It Couldn't Be Done... etc.
Or, if all of the above is too corny.. how about a simple, "CAUTION!"
Looks like the imprinting is on a tape that can be removed and might not be that hard to replace with other text... Any ideas?
Last edited by Doane; 02-28-12 at 11:09 PM.
02-29-12, 03:11 AM
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02-29-12, 08:33 PM
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02-29-12, 11:27 PM
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Hay, common, it's not that bad. Like I said, I think the worst thing is the name on it, change that and it looks like some sort of test device.. most drivers won't know what it is, but I'll bet they will give you plenty of room in passing. Chicken suit? Play chicken with a car?... nah, you would probably be MORE likely to get run over that way.
Last edited by Doane; 03-01-12 at 09:05 AM.
03-01-12, 05:48 AM
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Today, no. They used to be the bestest thing ever in, uhh, maybe 1970-1980s. That's when many bikes came with one installed. I think I had one or two bikes that had side flags myself. They were considered for road use only, I remember being taught to fold it closed when leaving the road and entering a MUP.
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03-01-12, 06:15 AM
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Forget having any writing - just make the arm bright yellow/orange, and add some black stripes maybe for that "hazard" look.
03-01-12, 09:07 AM
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Today, no. They used to be the bestest thing ever in, uhh, maybe 1970-1980s. That's when many bikes came with one installed. I think I had one or two bikes that had side flags myself. They were considered for road use only, I remember being taught to fold it closed when leaving the road and entering a MUP.