Owners
What it's all about
THIRD YEAR MAJOR PROJECT at University of East London
Project Title:
INDICATING IN TRAFFIC FROM A CYCLIST POINT OF VIEW
IDEA
Due to an incident that took place in my local high street, which involved me, an idea sprung to mind. While I was on my bicycle I gave a hand signal indicating right, when a car at high speed hit my arm (despite of my arm clearly pointing to the right side). I ended up loosing my balance and I hit the ground. Through this experience I engaged an evaluation of indicating on bicycles.
SOLUTION
From my primary research there is enough evidence to say bike safety needed to be improved in terms of indicating. Cyclists, who are less competent while cycling, cannot control the bike steering with on hand on the handle-bar, whilst using their free arm to indicate either left or right.
The aim I set my was to come up with an innovative product that allows cyclist to indicate left or right, without having the need to take either of their hands off the handle-bar thus enabling full stability while cycling.
Brief summary of Bluetooth technology
Bluetooth is a low-power consumption and short-range wireless technology for personal networks (PAN). It connects your personal electronic devices, such as laptops, mobile phones, digital cameras, audio equipments, and printers, without the clutter of cables. The Swedish telecom giant Ericsson originally developed Bluetooth. The name is inspired by King Harold Bluetooth, know for his unification of previously warring tribes from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Likewise, the Bluetooth technology was intended to unify and connect different personal electronic devices.
This product works by a Bluetooth switch fitted in the cyclist handlebar and works via a Bluetooth transmitter built into the indicator lights.
This product will also be beneficial as a safe way of indicating and giving motorist advance notice of the cyclist’s intended manoeuvre.
MATERIALS
The intended material for this product will be rubber and polycarbonate. The black part would be made out of rubber, and the rear-lights and the indicators made from polycarbonate (this is a clear, tough, shatterproof material, which usually has a hard coat for abrasion resistance). The rear-light would be constant and use no flashing mode, in order to avoid confusion with the flashing indicators.
PRICE
£ 50-60
Comments
I’ve had a look at a few prototype designers on the internet and I think the best way is for you to get in touch with them via email, explaining your product and they should then provide you with a quote.
With regards to the funding you need, Junction49 may be able to help through our quarterly winfunding scheme – visit http://www.junction49.co.uk/pages/win_funding/ to find out more. The next closing date for applications is the end of October. Funding is more likely to be granted where there is a wide community benefit so perhaps you could look at ways to market the idea to cycling charities, schools etc?
You could always try getting in contact with cycling organisations to see if they will sponsor your product.
Have you considered alternative ways to power the indicators? I have seen bicycle lights that can be charged through wind-up mechanisms and pedal power to be very environmentally friendly bikers!
Also, for future products, I wondered if there would be a way to incorporate the indicators onto bike lights as I imagine accidents where other road users do not see the signals of cyclists are greater at night. This would also be more convenient for the users.
As you are in Hackney, I wondered if you are interested in getting involved with an upcoming Junction49 event that we are planning to campaign for free cycling in London?
Keep us updated!
I'm your Volunteer support Officer at UEL and can help you to make your project become a reality! Drop me an email on sawyer@uel.ac.uk and we can arrange a meeting to discuss your idea
Looking forward to meeting you
Joey
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