A new cycling safety jacket uses motion-activated lights that signal when a rider is turning right or left.
The Visijax Commuter jacket is embedded with amber LEDs that flash when the cyclist raises an arm to indicate to road users behind them that they are turning.
Once the lights, on the back of the arms, have been triggered, they continue to flash for five seconds, so riders can put their hands back on the handlebars and concentrate on cycling.
Meanwhile, white LEDs on the chest and red lights on the back maintain a constant flash to alert drivers. The jacket uses a breakthrough technology called Intelligent Motion-Activated Signalling System. The designers hope that as well as boosting safety, it will encourage more people to cycle. It will be on sale at Halfords. A poll by YouGov for Halfords showed 24 per cent of people questioned were too scared to cycle on UK roads, and 11 per cent said they would ride more regularly if there were better safety products.
Halfords product manager Ross Hubbard said: “We know visibility can be a major barrier to cycling at this time of year. We want to help commuters overcome these barriers and to encourage as many people as possible to cycle.”
There were 13 cyclist deaths in London in 2014 and 14 deaths in 2013.
On Monday, London saw its first cycling death of this year when a woman aged 29 was killed in a collision with a lorry in Stamford Hill.
'I avoid main roads in the dark, but I’m sold on this bright idea'
I try out the jacket while cycling along Kensington High Street at 10.30pm.
Normally I avoid main roads in the dark because I’m barely visible to drivers. But wearing the neon jacket with flashing lights, it’s difficult not to notice me. Yes, it looks like something you could pick up at Camden’s rave clothing store Cyberdog, but if it means I’m visible I’m happy. (There is a black version for those with a neon aversion).
I put my right arm up to indicate a right turn, but rather than cycle one-handed with my arm extended, I know the lights have been activated and can put both hands on the bars. At £99.99 it’s a bit pricey, but I’m sold on it.
Anna Dubuis
