Has Garmin got this right?

[jonny jeez]

So, according to Garmin, the "Number one cause" of biking fatalities, is rearward vision...not left turning trucks, or lack of driver awareness, or speeding, or any number of other issues.

Its all about the cyclist taking responsibility and looking over their shoulder.

But then, it seems that these red lights not only remove the need for a cyclist to look over their shoulder but are "safer".

Has Garmin lost touch, or is this the future?

http://marketinginfo1.garmin.com/u/gm.php?UID=24miAkQmup&ID=192648389_1246078_68487

 

[michaelcycle]

That's slick marketing. I had a quick squizz at the report the findings are based on shown here:

http://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/EBC_report_final.pdf

It seems more about cyclists being rear ended by crap drivers in 'Murica than cyclist behaviour per se.

 

[ianrauk]

What a crock of sh!t.
Some people with more money then sense will no doubt buy into the whole thing that a radar is needed.

 

[jonny jeez]

That's slick marketing. I had a quick squizz at the report the findings are based on shown here:

http://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/EBC_report_final.pdf

It seems more about cyclists being rear ended by crap drivers in 'Murica than cyclist behaviour per se.

It does seem that way, unfortunately the slick marketing (aimed at product sales) does nothing to support the real issue and just confuses the responsibilities still further.

 

[jonny jeez]

What a crock of sh!t.
Some people with more money then sense will no doubt buy into the whole thing that a radar is needed.

and worse...that common sense is not!

 

[michaelcycle]

It does seem that way, unfortunately the slick marketing (aimed at product sales) does nothing to support the real issue and just confuses the responsibilities still further.

The argument could be made that if Garmin really cared about cyclist safety they could help fund the prosecution of reckless drivers or driver awareness campaigns rather than flog useless tat that very few people actually need...

 

[Dan B]

What are you supposed to actually do when the rearview radar tells you someone's about to run you over? Dive into the ditch? Or does it come with invisible skyhooks that pluck you and your bike out of harms way automatically?

 

[jonny jeez]

What are you supposed to actually do when the rearview radar tells you someone's about to run you over? Dive into the ditch? Or does it come with invisible skyhooks that pluck you and your bike out of harms way automatically?

Don't be daft...the sky hook plug in wont be available until OS 0.14 release.

 

[Simpleton]

Before everyone gets their knickers in a twist, have a look at the source....a study in the US.

http://bikeleague.org/content/new-report-every-bicyclist-counts

 

[Andrew_P]

It is a bit daft, firstly as mentioned what can you effectively do with the information plus false alarms causing problems and then the distraction value of it. Might sell to those cyclists that like their bike to be some sort of throwback to childhood who load it up with just about every conceivable add on & gadget.

 

[jonny jeez]

Before everyone gets their knickers in a twist, have a look at the source....a study in the US.

http://bikeleague.org/content/new-report-every-bicyclist-counts

Sure , thing is though, I don't live in the US and I'm pretty sure that some other people on the planet don't either. Also, how does relying on a light and a buzzer make my riding safer.

Reading this back sounds like I'm digging at you, sorry if it seems that way

 

[flake99please]

What a crock of sh!t.
Some people with more money then sense will no doubt buy into the whole thing that a radar is needed.

Whatever next?

Can we next expect bicycle airbags (once developed) to be deployed if an object approaches too close and/or too fast from behind?

 

[Dogtrousers]

Whatever next?

Can we next expect bicycle airbags (once developed) to be deployed if an object approaches too close and/or too fast from behind?

They already exist, if you search. They pack down as a collar, and then boomf! You find yourself wearing a sort of inflatable Elizabethan ruff.

 

[Simpleton]

Sure , thing is though, I don't live in the US and I'm pretty sure that some other people on the planet don't either. Also, how does relying on a light and a buzzer make my riding safer.

Reading this back sounds like I'm digging at you, sorry if it seems that way

But for those who do live in the US where 40% of incidents come from being rear ended it should help.

As for riding in the UK I can think of a few instances where this radar will help:-

1) If I can't be bothered to turn my head, the 'dar will tell me what is behind me and warn me about it.

2) If I'm on a TT 'in the zone' that zone being zone 5 pumping out 350 watts and it's too dangerous to turn my head because of my aero helmet the 'dar tell me what is behind me and warn me about it. I do hope Garmin sort out of the product so it is aero going on the back of the bike.

3) Like wise for wearing headphones. Although this would need Garmin to somehow sync the warning from the 'dar into my headphones whilst I'm riding along. A lot like a traffic report when you are listening to the radio. So I'll be jamming to Nicki Minaj then all off a sudden ''car approaching, 140 metres, beep, beep, beep, 100 metres, beep, beep, beep...'' You get the idea I'm sure.

Where can I get one?

 

[jefmcg]

I always know if there is a car behind me. In fact as I mostly ride in London, there is almost always a car behind me. Priuses aren't that quiet, and I haven't seen a Tesla in the wild. Most other cars make plenty of noise. I was totally aware of two cars that rear ended me on the bike. Luckily they were low speed collisions.

I suspect most of the dead riders were aware of the cars behind them, they just didn't know they were about to hit them, or had no escape route.

This device serves two purposes

1. increase sales, and thus shareholder value for Garmin
2. increase blaming the victim in cycle crashes - now if you are hit from behind, it's still somehow your fault.