Source for really cheap taillights/reflective ankle sashes for grass-roots project
 

Does anyone know of a source for *really* inexpensive battery LED taillights and reflective ankle sashes? They don't have to be high quality, but good enough to be functional.

As I've transitioned into winter commute mode (meaning, full darkness for my evening commute home) I am astounded by the number of cyclists riding without any lights or reflective gear. I mean NOTHING.

I am both a year-round bicycle commuter and an occasional driver in an urban area with lots of cyclists and motorists alike, and it's when I'm a driver that I'm scared that I'm going to hit a cyclists because I can't see him/her. It makes me empathize with drivers who feel that cyclists can be a hazard.

Me, I ride with a dynamo headlight and taillight that I keep on all the time, as well as a helmet headlight and taillight that I switch on at night, and I always wear a reflective shoulder sash and a reflective ankle sash.

I thought of a grass-roots project the other day, inspired by our monthly walk-bike-ride days sponsored by local urban advocacy groups (green streets initiative, e.g.). They always have boxes of free ankle bands to give out, and occasionally taillight blinkies.

I would like to get a hold of a few dozen lights and ankle sashes to keep in my saddlebag, and whenever I encounter a fellow cyclist at a stop light who happens to be one of these cyclists that no one can see, nicely offer to give them something for free to help them be seen.

The way I see it, these people fall into one of a few categories. They:

- are actively motivated by vanity to not wear anything that enhances their visibility
- think it's not important / can't be bothered
- are poor and think they can't afford appropriate gear (many of these cyclists are college students)
- haven't thought about it and are simply ignorant

I can't do much for the first two categories, but have the potential to help out those in the last two. Even if they're inexpensive/crappy blinkies, they might be the "gateway" blinkies that get people to start using lighting, and become comfortable with. Maybe later they will upgrade.

Opinions?

Is there a place where I can get these for about $1-2 apiece if I buy in bulk? I'd like to source both ankle bands and blinkies, because I like to use them both, personally.

I found these on eBay for $1.26 each, shipped from China:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-LED-Bike-B...item3f1a5ef89d

No batteries, but they have clips so cyclists can clip them to their messenger bags/backpacks.

You might shoot Planet Bike a proposal, since they are into grassroots advocacy and all. Maybe work with a coalition of the local shops and bike clubs to help defray costs?

Very cool idea, I've often found myself with the same impulse.

Quick google turns this up: http://www.papachina.com/Outdoor-Ite...730/index.html

I have a feeling that your budget will pale in comparison to one belonging to an Ivy League school, but every fall cornell security has the university logo silkscreened on a ton of these hands them out to students:
http://www.papachina.com/Outdoor-Ite...duct_info.html in my experience they're not amazingly bright (duh), but they're certainly better than nothing.

If you'd like to purchase in quantities less than 1000 to a batch: http://www.windycitynovelties.com/70...eflectors.html

Thanks. Actually I was thinking of spending about $50 initially for 20-30 pieces, just to see what type of reactions I get after handing them out. I probably could give out at least one on each evening commute. After a month, if the response is positive, I could start looking into getting backing from an advocacy group.

Those eBay units look good, but they don't come with batteries. I actually have one of those generic units on one of my bikes, and it's worked fine for years.

I tried giving out lights...

After a week or two the lights are no longer on their bikes.

Bottom link of mine has batteries, at $1.20/per.

As much as I admire your intentions, my own opinion is that 'inexpensive/crappy' and 'functional/effective' won't be found in the same product. The concept that 'anything is better than nothing' doesn't always hold. If the product isn't visible to a motorist inside their car from a minimum distance - you might as well have nothing.

Cyclists are funny creatures and a lot is about image. Here in Quebec reflectors are required by law to be ON THE NEW BIKE when it goes out the door. Regardless, most clients buying road bikes and BMX's will insist on having them removed. Even among the hybrid crowd lights aren't considered 'cool'. Probably has something to do with things like social responsibility and safety concerns being considered a sign of conformity and therefore a sign of weakness. Social disobediance, risk taking and non-conformance are currently very much in vogue and until safety items and lighting gain a 'cool' image - I doubt anything's gonna change. I would think the prevalence of iPods, iPhones (and cells in general) around the world pretty much demonstrates people can afford anything they really want - once its on their list of priorities. Hummers, for example, are officially the most customized automobile on the market as far as off-road accessories go - in spite of the fact that most of them never go off-road.

I have noticed that the same guys that ditch the reflectors think nothing of dropping hundreds of dollars on color matched anodized components, flashy jerseys and other accessories, so personally I'm working informally with a couple other riders in the shop to try to change the overall perception of bike lighting. Lets face it - flashy graphics and clean lines DO influence why people buy bikes. And as a result black aero spoked wheels with a single red spoke are now showing up on inexpensive department store bikes.

The real challenge is still making safety products that are stylish as well as functional and add to the riders cycling pleasure and image as well as safety. Otherwise they'll always be considered an afterthought and inconvenience by most riders.

My current project has been certified as 'extremely cool' by every mechanic, supplier and customer in the shop thats seen it. Its also rides extremely well.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=282713

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=284250

Some of the guys are pretty good at DH and BMX and next season the plan is to equip a few bikes with a variety of lighting arrangements and do some ocassional runs around the city. Between the brightness of the lighting and a few street stunts - it should get some attention. And maybe change the way some things are looked at. I've deliberately gone a little 'over-the-top' with this project, but even low-end lighting products can be well integrated into the overall bike with a little thought. Currently every bike light manufacturer design's them as independent add-ons.

I realize this doesn't give you any products, but might let you connect with some of those people differently.

I saw some yellow reflective ankle bands at the 99 cent store in the same place as the bike lights. So $1 for two. These are the kind that wrap tight around your pants to keep them out of the crank.

I think I paid $10-12 for the white ones I got on Amazon.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg

You're trying to distribute the lights to those you come across the way while you're riding.

Another way is to get funding and buy the combination product like the bundled deal: Cygolite Metro 420 with the Hotshot rear light. Then sell it to the local bike shops with the proviso that they offer it on all new bikes sold.

This may not be a money maker for you. But it will get the lights in the hands of the riders who will take pride with their brand new bike.

I did that the other day. I always keep a couple extra cheap blinky rear lights in my bag. I was getting off the train at about 6 am, pitch dark outside, and her comes a ninja coming up the steps. I looked a him, he looked at my bike and lights flashing on my leg (strips), helmet and rear of the bike, and looked startled. I reached in my pocket and said "here take this, you need something out there in the dark"

Wanting to help is a good and noble, but acceptable blinkies can be found at Walmart, K-mart, etc.. for under $10. If people are riding with no lights at night, it's not due to availability or cost. It's due to profound indifference or stupidity, and there's not much you can do about that.

That's a little harsh isn't it? I take it you've never been stuck out longer than you'd planned what was supposed to be a daylight ride because of a flat or something.

Maybe not - I took the time to do the rounds of 10 different bicycle stores in the Montreal area -some in pretty affluent areas. The items they all had the hardest time selling were lighting and rain gear. Even Walmart, who carry inexpensive Bell bicycle accessories, stock a very limited selection of lights.

Who said anything about making money? I'm expecting to pay for these and give them away, as an experiment to see the response. I just want to help cyclists be seen and improve the image that drivers have of cyclists.

I predict that a lot of the cyclists I see are young college students who are here without a car, and they're riding a $100-200 bike they bought off of craigslist (or one of the many used bike shops in my area that cater to students). They can't make it out to the big box stores out in the 'burbs without planning a whole day excursion by subway/bus.

And they're naive. Some may be indifferent or stupid, but not all.

This is exactly what I'm hoping for. What was his response when you handed him the blinky?

Making money is not the primary goal. The goal as I see it is to make distribution of lighting. Yes, you're expecting to pay for these, etc. There's an entire group that doesn't appeal that way. I am just showing you that there are several ways to make a distribution, a way to appeal to all, not just the "man on the street" method.

The other way requires money and participation. Maybe more kinds of resources but perhaps more effective.

Maybe try contacting MassBike? In the DC area, both the local nonprofit (Washington Area Bicyclists Association) and the Arlington County bike program (BikeArlington) have bike light/vest/reflective strap giveaways, so MassBike may do something similar.

To get an idea of what I'm talking about, check out photos from BikeArlington's light giveaways: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...2804667&type=3