Nighttime safety products
#1
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
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Nighttime safety products
I'm a bit paranoid about being seen by drivers when riding at night, and have been using a product called Tracer 360. It has a battery pack that lights up and flashes a number of different colors. The colored lighting is also transmitted through a pair of fiber optic cables that are worn as shoulder straps.
https://www.noxgear.com/tracer360
They are having a 40% off sale today with code PRIMEDAY17. They seem to have a similar sale once a year or so. I have no affiliation with this company or any of their employees. I've been using the product for the past three years or so and have been pretty happy with it.
I'm also intrigued by Tern's Vizy Light, a rear light that throws a halo of red light onto the ground. I haven't ordered one yet, but it does look very interesting. No affiliation with Tern, either.
Vizy? Light | Tern Folding Bikes | United States
Please feel free to post others that you've found interesting.
https://www.noxgear.com/tracer360
They are having a 40% off sale today with code PRIMEDAY17. They seem to have a similar sale once a year or so. I have no affiliation with this company or any of their employees. I've been using the product for the past three years or so and have been pretty happy with it.
I'm also intrigued by Tern's Vizy Light, a rear light that throws a halo of red light onto the ground. I haven't ordered one yet, but it does look very interesting. No affiliation with Tern, either.
Vizy? Light | Tern Folding Bikes | United States
Please feel free to post others that you've found interesting.
Last edited by tmesis; 07-12-17 at 04:59 PM.
#2
I'm paranoid about being seen by drivers during the day also.
I use a day time running lamp. The new cygolite 350 dart is tiny, bright, and has a low profile mount.
https://www.rei.com/product/110176/c...ont-bike-light
In the fall (dark), I'll probably mount it to my helmet and use a brighter light as a secondary light).
I mount my rear light on my chain stays so it lights up the wheel too. your solutions look good too - I like the idea of throwing light on the ground, or anything that isn't so directional.
My bike is also loaded up with 3m reflective tape. I use tapes that match (or accent) the color of the bike, you can't even tell they are there during the day.
I use a day time running lamp. The new cygolite 350 dart is tiny, bright, and has a low profile mount.
https://www.rei.com/product/110176/c...ont-bike-light
In the fall (dark), I'll probably mount it to my helmet and use a brighter light as a secondary light).
I mount my rear light on my chain stays so it lights up the wheel too. your solutions look good too - I like the idea of throwing light on the ground, or anything that isn't so directional.
My bike is also loaded up with 3m reflective tape. I use tapes that match (or accent) the color of the bike, you can't even tell they are there during the day.
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
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The red spot thing is the same general principle as the laser lane markers.
They might make you FEEL safer, but there's no data showing their efficiency.
Keep in mind that when the car gets close enough to matter, the driver will no longer be able to see the spot.
As for the lighted vest - as long as I have a decent lamp, I'm entirely happy with people using Hi-Viz, reflective vests.
I see them well enough, and have never found myself wishing for more.
A few lit lines like that, I'm not sure I'd see that as an improvement compared to reflective surfaces.
They might make you FEEL safer, but there's no data showing their efficiency.
Keep in mind that when the car gets close enough to matter, the driver will no longer be able to see the spot.
As for the lighted vest - as long as I have a decent lamp, I'm entirely happy with people using Hi-Viz, reflective vests.
I see them well enough, and have never found myself wishing for more.
A few lit lines like that, I'm not sure I'd see that as an improvement compared to reflective surfaces.
#4
My head and tail lights alone don't' prevent someone from T-boning me at an intersection. The idea for me it to be seen "before it really matters"
As a driver, I find my eye is attracted to light, and more to to moving light - be it a bright spot on the ground, or a direct light on a bike's handle bars. Most of those little red blinky lights don't really attract my attention when driving - they are just too small (the 2 watt lights do get my attention though).
#5
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
The Tracer looks good. In fact, I think I've seen it and liked it.
Lighting up the ground doesn't seem to help. Some of the bikes in the Citi Bike program have a green laser which draws a bicycle on the ground in front of the bike. It's not noticeable at all unless I look for it, which I do, but who else does?
I use a Nite Ize Spokelit in my rear wheel. It's not very bright, but because of the motion, it's extremely noticeable. People tell me they notice it and admire it. I tried it in my front wheel, and it was too distracting for me.
Lighting up the ground doesn't seem to help. Some of the bikes in the Citi Bike program have a green laser which draws a bicycle on the ground in front of the bike. It's not noticeable at all unless I look for it, which I do, but who else does?
I use a Nite Ize Spokelit in my rear wheel. It's not very bright, but because of the motion, it's extremely noticeable. People tell me they notice it and admire it. I tried it in my front wheel, and it was too distracting for me.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#7
A fair amount of my (non summer) commuting is in the dark/dusk. No fun surprising a car in those conditions.
I actually prefer night riding, as is is much easier for the car to see me and for me to see the car...
#8
[QUOTE=noglider;19715701]
I use a Nite Ize Spokelit in my rear wheel. It's not very bright, but because of the motion, it's extremely noticeable. People tell me they notice it and admire it. I tried it in my front wheel, and it was too distracting for me.
good point. Almost forgot that in the fall I use these little lights attached to my spokes in the fall. Like yours, they make the bike pretty visible from the side. They cost about a $1 each...
I use a Nite Ize Spokelit in my rear wheel. It's not very bright, but because of the motion, it's extremely noticeable. People tell me they notice it and admire it. I tried it in my front wheel, and it was too distracting for me.
good point. Almost forgot that in the fall I use these little lights attached to my spokes in the fall. Like yours, they make the bike pretty visible from the side. They cost about a $1 each...
Last edited by chas58; 07-13-17 at 02:51 PM.
#9
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,171
Likes: 6,394
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
The spoke lights are visible from the front and back, too.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#10
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Joined: Aug 2014
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Lighting up the ground doesn't seem to help. Some of the bikes in the Citi Bike program have a green laser which draws a bicycle on the ground in front of the bike. It's not noticeable at all unless I look for it, which I do, but who else does?
I use a Nite Ize Spokelit in my rear wheel. It's not very bright, but because of the motion, it's extremely noticeable. People tell me they notice it and admire it. I tried it in my front wheel, and it was too distracting for me.
I use a Nite Ize Spokelit in my rear wheel. It's not very bright, but because of the motion, it's extremely noticeable. People tell me they notice it and admire it. I tried it in my front wheel, and it was too distracting for me.
I guess I should have said, "I'm paranoid about NOT being seen."
#11
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Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Toronto
Bikes: Sekine 1979 ten speed racer
Another idea is to mount a white light on your rear rack aimed at your back reflector vest. You can't always rely on a motorists to see you until his lights are aimed at you.
#12
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That's a brilliant idea, pun slightly intended.
#13
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Chicago area
Bikes: Airborne "Carpe Diem", Motobecane "Mirage", Trek 6000, Strida 2, Dahon "Helios XL", Dahon "Mu XL", Tern "Verge S11i"
It's a decent light and has held up well. As I indicated, the circle on the pavement shows up best in darker areas, but the rear-facing LEDs are quite visible under street lights.
If you want *really* bright rear lighting, see the Dinotte tail light: NEW 2017 Quad RED Taillight with built in battery ? DiNotte Lighting USA Online Store. My wife and kids gave me its predecessor (300R) about 3 years ago. It is *incredibly* bright; I had to point it slightly downward to avoid blinding approaching motorists. It cost about five (5) times what the Vizy goes for, so you have a choice. For the money, I think the Vizy is a reasonable choice.
Steve
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,272
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From: Ottawa,ON,Canada
Bikes: Schwinn Miranda 1990, Giant TCX 2 2012
I'm a bit paranoid about being seen by drivers when riding at night, and have been using a product called Tracer 360. It has a battery pack that lights up and flashes a number of different colors. The colored lighting is also transmitted through a pair of fiber optic cables that are worn as shoulder straps.
https://www.noxgear.com/tracer360
They are having a 40% off sale today with code PRIMEDAY17. They seem to have a similar sale once a year or so. I have no affiliation with this company or any of their employees. I've been using the product for the past three years or so and have been pretty happy with it.
I'm also intrigued by Tern's Vizy Light, a rear light that throws a halo of red light onto the ground. I haven't ordered one yet, but it does look very interesting. No affiliation with Tern, either.
Vizy? Light | Tern Folding Bikes | United States
Please feel free to post others that you've found interesting.
https://www.noxgear.com/tracer360
They are having a 40% off sale today with code PRIMEDAY17. They seem to have a similar sale once a year or so. I have no affiliation with this company or any of their employees. I've been using the product for the past three years or so and have been pretty happy with it.
I'm also intrigued by Tern's Vizy Light, a rear light that throws a halo of red light onto the ground. I haven't ordered one yet, but it does look very interesting. No affiliation with Tern, either.
Vizy? Light | Tern Folding Bikes | United States
Please feel free to post others that you've found interesting.
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