Turn Signal on a bicycle
 

Has anyone ever mounted a set of small motorcycle turn signals on a bicycle? I'm thinking about giving it a try for safe riding at night.

Keep in mind that since bikes are very narrow, it's hard for drivers to read these as right and left, though amber MC signals are probably better than some other options.

I wear a lighted leg band on my left wrist, and that seems to draw some attention.

I agree that our narrowness reduces the usefulness of lighted turn signals. It's still a challenge just to be seen. For the turn signal to be meaningful, there would need to be a "context" of an array of lights.

I've been thinking of making an arrow out of reflective tape and putting that on the back of each glove. I'm not convinced it will be a huge win, but it can't hurt.

I put reflective bands on my wrists for some night riding (depends on location/traffic). They probably make hand signals less useless at night. Lighted ones might be better, as suggested by FB.

The point about the spacing between turn signal lights is a good one. But it can be aided with light colours and a centre reference. For example, use yellow for turn signals and have a red running or running/brake light in the centre to give orientation and clarity of function to the turn signal light. For front turn signals the headlight provides the visible position reference. In this example, I have the 4-way flashers on...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5d0...AewYcL2JS3bdoA

oh that's excellent, rscamp. maybe out on the bar ends for flat bar bikes.


ooooh. can handlebars be drilled for internal wiring if it's small enough? can a light be bright enough/ big enough to be seen during the daylight.

oh I'm lovin' this.

Turn signals on a bicycle are not easy for a car to see and understand. They may even have a driver think it is a motorcycle from a distance. However there are many of them around. The first one looks like the best to me, there is a video with it. I've ridden behind bikes that have them in the dark. Not worth spending money on them YMMV.

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Turn signals on a bicycle can easily be as to see and understand as they are on a motorcycle if they meet the same criteria.

I think that universally the turn signal kits made for bikes are made very inexpensive just so people will buy them. Few want to spend what it costs for a good lighting system when it is just for a bicycle. Unfortunately, this also means the quality isn't that good and they simply aren't bright enough to do the job. There are better ones than these but they aren't bright enough either.

Mine are brighter than all of these and I still don't think they are bright enough. They should be "Department of Transportation" bright and mine aren't quite there.

Yes, the turn signal kits you can now buy are not good enough. Bigger and brighter could be built, and be more useful.

Hey. Is your co-pilot a corgi?

The world famous cycling Corgi. :)


http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=411423http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=411424

Ha! We have two. Here's the younger one in training...

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=411425

Great photo! Nice trike!

You need to think about a basket for him and a harness to keep him in. My dog has a car seat belt harness with a screw together caribiner attached under the middle of his belly, with a swivel, attached to the bottom middle of the basket. If you search the forums for "Bailey" you should get a lot of photos.

What is your dog's name?

My YouTube videos mostly with Bailey. https://www.youtube.com/my_videos?o=U

If you look closely at this video, you can get an idea of how much he can move around but still be held in by the harness. oops edited with different link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1xzuv-gejY

I like Bailey!!!

Here's our corgis playing shortly after we got Callie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RrA...AewYcL2JS3bdoA
Here's our other corgi Cerin playing in the snow. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__cq...3bdoA&index=21

Basket? That doesn't make any sense. How would Callie be able to steer and pedal the trike if she was in a basket?

Seriously though, I have thought about getting a trailer. I have had Callie on a leash from the trike - she does quite well.

Here's the trike last year just after I added the V4 drive...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOn9...AewYcL2JS3bdoA

Nice videos.

I have lots of bikes some odd, some homemade etc. What everyone wants to talk about on BikeForums is Bailey. You have a very interesting trike set up with that motor. But I'm interested in Callie. :)

Going out, time to walk Bailey.

I have order all the part's I need to install motorcycle turn signal for my Surly Big Dummy The BD is a lot wider than most bicycle and the cost is not that bad to have super bright turn signals on it.I think it's a good idea but each his/her own.It will be a while before I will get to install them but I can't wait to give it a try anyway.Here is a look at the rear of my BD.The bicycle is a long way from being done I have a lot of work still to do to it.http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=411565

There is a lot of room there and handy attachment points. Should be easy! :)

I bought a pair of these. I believe that these will actually work better than turn signals. The reflective stuff on them is very good.

Wells Lamont 7674XL High Visibility ATV and Motorcycle Glove, X-Large - Work Gloves - Amazon.com

How warm are they, [MENTION=40124]ItsJustMe[/MENTION]?

They're not really built for warmth. They're perfect for me in the range down to about 25*F, at which point my hands start to get a bit cold. I don't think I'd want to wear them below 20 without liners. They're about the same weight as the mechanic's gloves I've been using in that range. I generally shift to warmer gloves then, but by then I'm also wearing a winter jacket with reflective arm stripes so I don't really care if the gloves are bright at that point.

Bicycle turn signals are actually manufactured. A quick Google Image search will pull up many makes and models. The models with a blinking < for Left and a blinking > for Right seem pretty legible from a motorist's point of view, especially in red LED. I'm actually considering these for a Trucker build. Theoretically, these would even work in daylight, versus using reflective material on clothing. Although I would still use hand signals in daylight. LED signals on back of bike plus reflective material on hands or arms seems like a perfect match. I would prefer the < and > design. To me, it actually reads something to my eyes also, instead of plain blinking lights.

They make illuminated (LED) turn-signal gloves for bicycling. Not sure how many different manufacturers, but here is one example:
https://zackees.com/
Amazon.com : Zackees Turn Signal Gloves : Sports & Outdoors
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=425444

If you do turn signals, I'd think you'd also need an illuminated 'tail light' in the middle so it's clear which side is blinking. A red LED tail light with an amber LED "turn signal" on each side would be cool I'd think.

Just put silver reflective tape on your gloves, in the shape of an arrow.