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Isn't it time that Cyclists had Indicators like Cars
6 points by bardrick 4223 days ago
Cyclists et al,

Whilst cars have indicators to signal that they are turning cyclists rely on an outstretched arm to alert others of their intentions.

However, in a busy city, such as London, that arm might not always be seen or acknowledged by other road users.

So Why Not!

7 comments

I would think something attached to gloves might be easier to spot than something attached to a bicycle.

That said, I can't imagine a situation where you could see a cyclist but not see them indicating. If anything, signalling makes the cyclist more visible and obvious.

This looks like a better solution than mounted turn signals.

The Kickstarter has ended, so here's a link to the site: http://zackees.com

I had battery operated signals on my 3 speed bike with highrise handlebars and a sissy bar in 1969! So yes, why not have them today, especially if you are going to ride IN traffic?
I'd like an automatic one, with an inertial sensor. If I brake, the brake light goes on. If I turn, the correct directional indicator flashes.
Anything that gets more cyclist to signal is a win in my book.
Could you add an example of a situation where you would see an indicator light on the bottom of the bike but you wouldn't see a whole arm?
How often do you see cyclists even raising an arm.

Also most cyclists I see love wearing dark clothing, especially in winter, at night, without any form of adequate lighting!

Well in my experience as a cyclist, I'm sure you see a lot of them as most drivers are focused on their phones, their radios, the scenery -- anything but the road.
Oh! Yes! I see at least one cyclist every morning fiddling with their phone. And tonight I saw two (in Norwich) tapping away on their phones two handed , dark hoodies, and without lights on a road approaching a hairpin S bend. That said they were teenagers so I guess they figured the glow from their phones were enough ;)
Yep especially men in white vans on the phone :)
Please can we avoid subjective generalisations like this.
I live in Cambridge. I see cyclists every day. In fact most drivers are much more cyclist aware than, say, London.

Just because you object to my anecdote, don't reject it as anti-cyclist rhetoric

I can just as easily add my own anecdote about cars or cyclists but then neither of us are contribution much useful to the original conversation.
I live in a College town. 9 times out of 10, they do not signal, let alone look before cutting out in front of you.
In fact a cyclist came out in front of me from the pedestrian exit of the local railway station car park. Completely out of control and realised he was being a plonker. Stopped in the middle of the road ( a nice blind 90 degree one) looked at me deer-in-headlights and waved thankfully as he rode off.

No lights either, but a helmet.

I fail to see what kind of uptake a flashing orange light on someone's wrist or bike would help if most folk who use them do not even carry a spare set of batteries for their bike.

The serious cyclists do make themselves very visible and are a pleasure to see alas they number one in ten or so :-(

I think it is the case that an amber pulsating light would grab the attention of drivers to the fact that a cyclist is hand signalling & turning.
At dawn/night for example.
So just like cars they would not be used?