Cycle Brake Lights

[raleighnut]

I wouldn't mind if they make those compulsory on brakes for anyone racing in a peloton. I remember when things got jittery in the bunch how we all used to glue our eyes to the guy in front's brake caliper. If it moves, you're alert and looking for an escape route. It didn't help if the guy was a font-braker.

Helvetica or Sans Serrif ?

 

[summerdays]

This one appeared on Facebook and whilst I wouldn't buy it, I liked the way that the it used the brake mechanism to activate it. I wasn't convinced how well it would be seen as normally the brake callipers sit lower than the top of the wheel.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Question is whether drivers would even know it was meant to indicate you were braking.

Nope. Those who have trouble even seeing cyclists (or pretend not to) certainly won't notice something this subtle.

 

[winjim]

Much like indicators, I would have thought it was great when I was about twelve years old. It's a toy.

 

[Drago]

They'll be fitting handlebars to cars next.

 

[raleighnut]

They'll be fitting handlebars to cars next.

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

I'd rather they invented the motorway bridge toilet roll holder. There may be more need for that.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

My kettle needs indicators for when I move it around the kitchen as I'm worried other people in the kitchen may not know where I am moving it. Also brake lights for when I stop moving it.

I wish people in city centres had indicators and brake lights for walking.

 

[Markymark]

I wish people in city centres had indicators and brake lights for walking.

In London we have an audible warning system a bit like the indicating warning on lorries. It sounds a bit like "Get Aaart My Waaay"

 

[Threevok]

Outside of the city - I've been reliably informed that shouting STRAVA is effective for dispersing walkers - and also works in the queues at Trail Centre coffee shops.

 

[Pale Rider]

A brake light for a bicycle is not such a bad idea.

You cannot see any vehicle braking, it's why cash for crash scams work so well.

@Yellow Saddle makes some sensible observations about pelotons getting jittery at braking times.

Less extreme, but many of us ride in groups, and I've had a few nervous moments when the rider in front stops for no apparent reason.

If I'm being followed, I usually call 'stopping' if I'm making a stop that isn't blindingly obvious, such as at a T-junction.

 

[Blue Hills]

I fettled something that worked very similar for my Raleigh Chopper - back in 1979, using an Ever-Ready rear light and some wire

did the chopper ever get up to speeds you could noticably break from?

 

[raleighnut]

did the chopper ever get up to speeds you could noticably break from?

Downhill you could get the Chopper up to speeds where you daren't brake, just hang on for grim death and pray.

 

[Threevok]

did the chopper ever get up to speeds you could noticably break from?

Oh yes, I lived in a village that looked a Gren cartoon, so I had little choice but go fast downhill.

That, plus the fact that I had no front brake (on account of me replacing the front wheel with a smaller one off a Tomahawk) meant some scary wobbly speeds too.

 

[Blue Hills]

That, plus the fact that I had no front brake (on account of me replacing the front wheel with a smaller one off a Tomahawk) meant some scary wobbly speeds too.

This exciting design feature was many years later incorporated by Dahon into some models of its small wheel sports bike the Speed Pro. A suspension hub (yes, think about that) meant that going downhill the brake blocks were likely to miss the rim unless you took particular care with the set-up.