Re:Backtracker: Radar sixth sense for cyclists
by randomdestructn on Sunday August 03, 2014 @07:21PM
(#8129509)
> holy shit, blinking backlights are a massive danger source
Any citation for this? I've never experienced this supposed effect.
Re:Backtracker: Radar sixth sense for cyclists
by 7952 on Monday August 04, 2014 @09:43AM
(#8131662)
The amount of various safety lights on cars/bikes/road works in London is getting ridiciulous. I wonder if at some point the safety feature of lights/high vis just becomes a distraction. I would much rather have proper street light everywhere in big cities than thousands of different individiual distractions.
Re:Backtracker: Radar sixth sense for cyclists
by mthoms on Sunday August 03, 2014 @06:22PM
(#8129380)
It seems to me this product attempts to address the exact scenario you are talking about:
It blinks more intensively when cars are approaching (road riding) and much less so when their are none nearby (bike path).
Re:Backtracker: Radar sixth sense for cyclists
by andor on Sunday August 03, 2014 @06:21PM
(#8129373)
I don't think this is very useful for cycling in cities anyways. It's perfect
for road cyclists, though.
* In cities, I always expect cars to be behind me, and cars expect cyclists
* There is more protection from wind in cities, so the chance that I can hear those cars is higher. Outside the city it's more dangerous. When going downhill at more than 50 km/h, or on a flat stretch with side winds, the chance that I can hear cars behind me is close to zero.
* The speed limit in cities is lower
Also, holy shit, blinking backlights are a massive danger source. They may be nice when you're riding on a narrow country road with nothing at all for miles but you, your bike, and a psycho car driver; however when you're in a city, on a bike path, and there's a person behind you, your blinking light will rob them of the ability to effectively concentrate on the surroundings because your blinking light will keep drawing their attention. And don't try to tell me you'll switch it off/set it to no-blink when you switch from riding on the road to riding on a bike path. You'll be too lazy to. I'd be too lazy to.
In effect this project is badly marketing a thing that will increase traffic danger.
I'd actually like this if it wasn't for the latter point.