I swear to God, if I ever see you on the road with this shit, I will run you down and back up just to make sure I got you.

Hey! that's a pretty neat idea, I'm taking it..lol jk

...someone should market something like this, I'd buy it...

Yeah, or just STAY THE HELL OUT OF THE DAMN STREET!!

Kelevra You don't deserve a drivers license. you are an inconsiderate person.

Bad dog!

I agree 100% with Kelevra and the fact that there are two of us already means there would be a whole lot of us more out there in the world. Being that self involved to give yourself your own bike lane makes people want to run you over.

This is the stupidest thing ever. We made side walks so that cars could avoid people and people could walk safely, now the cars have to share the road with bicycles? Talk about unsafe.

Why can't bikes just ride on the sidewalks? Are we afraid of pedestrian-bicycle collisions more than we are automobile-bicycle collisions?

RIP Tom Smith, killed by a drunk bike rider while he was walking on the curb.

Yeah. But think about poor countries all over the word that are using bikes on larger scale, where there is no routes for bikes (outside the cities for example). This is great idea and I'll buy one for myself (if available) for travelling safe here in Poland.

Many urban areas prohibit bicycle/skateboard/whatever activity on sidewalks; bicyclists belong on the road, driving *with* traffic. This is a great idea, if not a bit over-the-top. Still, if it's bright enough, the increased visibility would be a huge benefit.

Or the bicyclist could just be smart and wear a safety yellow or hunter orange reflective vest. :P

WHOA! It appears some people have no idea what THE LAW is. A bicycle is a class-four vehicle. It is technically illegal to ride them on sidewalks. The reason becomes apparent if you draw out a simple intersection with sidewalks: there are more points of collision for bicycle-automobile accidents if bikes are on sidewalks than if bikes are in the road.

Though pedestrians technically have the right of way, they are generally cognizant of traffic patterns and when it's safe to cross. Because of their slower speed and the location of sidewalks, motorists rarely need to take them into account. If cyclists were considered pedestrians, it would be a danger to motorists as well as cyclists. Motorists who fail to signal properly would hit cyclists they were not aware of because they did not need to be. Putting cyclists in the road is actually safer for cyclists.

In addition, the lack of continuity in sidewalks means that cyclists would constantly have to swerve into the roads when sidewalks ended, which motorists would never be looking for.

If you're against bike lanes, or think they're dumb, feel free to peruse any book on modern city planning and you'll realize that of the many benefits of bike lanes, only two are for cyclists. The rest are for motorists. Though beyond the scope of this post, bike lanes (even unused ones) ease traffic congestion by slowing traffic to a level that allows more cars to go through. It's counter-intuitive, but the faster cars go (or attempt to go) the more space they need between them, which actually means fewer cars get through. Bike lanes can effectively make neighborhoods safer for children, slow traffic enough to allow more cars through (shorter commutes, drivers), and take cars off the road.

If you're against bike lanes, I suggest you try cycling for a week.

I forgot in my tirade: This concept is about visibility. While cyclists can and do wear reflective clothing, utilize reflectors, blinkers and headlights, at some point it becomes superfluous, impractical, and distracting. None of these things actually enlarges the bicycles sphere of visibility either. This solution actually illuminates a portion of the road larger than the bicycle, making discerning the size and speed easier, which in turn makes the cyclist easier to avoid.

Besides, it's not as though a bike lane confers any legal benefits to cyclists: unless posted, bicyles are legally supposed to be on roads anyway. Bike lanes just make neighborhoods, motorists, and cyclists themselves safer.

I surely hope that those of you with the ignorant "I own the road" attitude are joking. As a cyclist, I have had folks pay more attention to their cell phones and radios than to others on the road. If this makes cycling safer then so be it. Great idea!

If it can help drivers considering a little more th cycles as a normal user of streets who deserves to be safe, use it. There will always be morons who can't understand why people uses a bike while they could drive a large SUV with nice alloy wheels, and diet coke in one hand, the phone in the other end, and the temperature 15° under outside's.

Most of the cyclists I see in these parts are riding during the most congested times for traffic - rush hours to and from work - and worse, on the WRONG side of the road. These idiots should be mowed down in order to keep what gene pool is remaining free from contaminates.

great idea! i need something like this,where i live the damn idiots drive like they are in a fucking race all the time.something like this just might slow them down.

In order to really see the neat laser projection on the ground, doesn't it need to be dark around you like in the picture? So what happens if theres a car approaching... with headlights on? The idea of bike lanes is great, but they're only really useful when the drivers know they're there already and are already avoiding it... and I doubt they could see something like this with the headlights on anyway.

WOW!!! Kelevra and mates' comments are too familiar from Hungarian forums.
I totally agree with Joe O'Bobson.

Reflective vest is unuseful is the city because tha city light (?) of cars doesn't light so high to reflex.

a cyclist from Budapest.

Sorry for mistyping.

Great concept if you live in a country with no bike paths. Real paths are preferable, though.

Americans need to realize that bicycles are a great alternative to cars. They obviously don't pollute or use gas, and you get exercise while you're at it.

As with most other environmentally friendly ideas, the US is about 30 years behind more progressive countries on the matter of biking. Especially the Netherlands and Denmark are far ahead.

In Copenhagen, Denmark almost 40 percent of all people bike to work or school every day. In total the people of Copenhagen bike 1,1 million kilometers every day. This means less pollution and fewer traffic jams.

All of this is possible because the city already started making bike paths back in the 1960's. Currently, there are 350 kilometers of paths in the city.

Americans should start biking instead of stubbornly clinging on to their SUV's.

Thank you Joe O'Bobson for your coherent and intelligent response to the self centred, incorrect (these are *public* roads and bicyclists also pay taxes to build and maintain them.) and foolish drivers who think that roads are for cars. They are for the public and the time for resource swigging, environment polluting gas pigs to start fading is about 25 years ago.

I love the idea of this device and for those bombastic buffoons who think bicyclists should be "mown down", I hope you enjoy the jail time that would get you and even if you don't carry out such a childish threat, enjoy the higher insurance rates and middle fingers that drivers like you typically get because of yoru driving attitudes.

IT'S ILLEGAL TO RIDE A BIKE ON A SIDEWALK! I don't know why some many drivers don't know that. Or why they think they need two lanes to get around a bike, even when most of the time the bike is safely on the shoulder and they could pass without even getting out of their lane. The laser lines would be a great way to show them how close they could get to the bike safely. Of course, they won't see the lines because they are talking on their mobile phones.

The "I wanna run you down people" are trolls no need to respond to some lazy 14 year old who could never get their fat ass on to a bike much less into the drivers seat of a car... That being said this IS a great Idea think of the number of accidents it could prevent!

Riding a bike on the sidewalk is a state by state issue. In Oregon it's fine to ride a bike on the sidewalk. You need to check the statutes in your state to make sure.

This is a great idea, and I would like to buy 6 of them to outfit my family and friends. As for the motor-morons who are leaving comments that really only confirm my suspicions about their character and their intelligence, all I can say is this, the world is changing, you WILL evolve, or you WILL go extinct.

THANK YOU JOE!

I'm a driver and a cyclist.
In my city it is illegal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk.
I also remember learning in my driver's training (16 years ago) that a car is supposed to change a full lane to pass a bicycle - I don't know about the law regarding this or if anyone remembers the same thing.
The thing I don't understand (like Al Legator) is why drivers think the road is only for them. Aside from differences in our vehicle we are all people free to choose how to get where we are going. Yes, separating the pedestrian traffic from car traffic is essential for obvious reasons. These are in effect different lanes for different modes of travel. This is also another good argument for bicycle lanes - segregate traffic of different speeds.
However, until we have bicycle lanes on all our roads drivers will have to learn to accept the growing number of bikes on the PUBLIC roads and the fact that each person deserves equal respect regardless of what they are driving or not driving.
I think this illuminator is a pretty good idea although I don't see much sense (other than a political message) in the projection of a couple skinny lines and a symbol. I think something like a large red dot on the ground would be much more visible and effective.

What a great concept and I think it will great if it is marketed.

Until a time comes where, on a bike, I can accelerate as fast as a car, and easily maintain speeds between 30-40 mph to keep my place in traffic, I'd much rather be on the sidewalk. I think forcing my 20 pound bike and myself to travel in a lane of traffic with 3000+ pound vehicles traveling faster than I'm capable of going...well, it's enough to say that the people who made the laws aren't doing much biking themselves.

The real dangers on roads are motorists, and the most dangerous motorists are aggressive drivers. Defensive drivers, operating at posted limits with regard to condition, actually enjoy more pleasant commutes, waste less gas, and put their cars through less wear and tear.

And I have met cyclists who are fast enough to keep pace with traffic. They were athletes, granted. But it's not the object, and moving at the same speed hardly makes it safer for me or them.

As a cyclist, I'd be wasting energy utilizing the slower, poorly-maintained sidewalks. And at some point, I'll still have to cross traffic. Again, cyclists on sidewalks does not equal safe.

There are a lot of serious safety misconceptions in the public mind, like outdoor lighting is safer for pedestrians (property, maybe). In reality, any criminal can take advantage of night vision and utilize these areas like fishing holes because people in lighted areas can't see people coming from darker areas. We just feel better with lights.

Cyclists have as much claim to the roads as tractors, the Amish, people in wheelchairs (because sidewalks aren't everywhere), and the heavy but slow construction equipment that builds and maintains those roads in the first place. You may not like looking out for them, but the road isn't yours alone.

For those that just don't like cyclists, keep in mind some of us have gotten sick of harassment on the road, and are armed. The guy in the wheelchair is selling them in the parking lot, and I got first pick, because the bike rack is right next to the handicap ramp.

My only question is where & when I can buy one. Tell us when it's in production!

Its value is partly (or maybe mostly) symbolic, but symbolism is huge.

@BarbChamberlain
@Bike2WrkSpokane

While I think this is a neat device, and one that will save lives (because I personally think when I'm in the car I tend to stay further away from bikers when there is a designated lane they're driving in, I don't think bikes should be considered traffic. Or, let's look at it this way:
Bike + pedestrian = crash and people get hurt, couple of scrapes
Bike + car = Crash...one person is walking away dead and it sure as hell isn't the one in the car.
Until bikers can keep up with the speed limit (and most of you can't) I feel they should be petitioning cities to remove the sidewalk bans.

Stells writes: "Bike + pedestrian = crash and people get hurt, couple of scrapes
Bike + car = Crash...one person is walking away dead and it sure as hell isn't the one in the car."

You're wrong in two fundamental ways. First, cars often kill pedestrians. Second, studies show that car/bike accidents are much MORE likely when a cyclist rides on a sidewalk. Why? Because most accidents of all types occur at intersections, and cyclists riding on sidewalks are effectively invisible to turning motorists. There are reams and reams of statistics to prove this.

All that said, I love fools like Willie Makeit who talk about "idiots" who need to be killed for the good of the gene pool but who don't know when to use "contaminants" rather than "contaminates." Those who live in glass houses...

While the SPIRIT of this idea is right-on, the concept is flawed from the very beginning.

Here's why:

The standard headlights of any passing cars (in either direction) would be more than sufficient to completely drown-out the red image emitted by this device.

The subsequent drowning out the little "bike lane" would ultimately cause this to be a completely useless product.

And unfortunately in this case, that is an EPIC FAIL that might lead to injury or even death!

That's why my (very unofficial) advice is to forego the novelty and stick to flashing light indicators, reflectors and other cognizant, defensive biking practices!

Chucklyn: The whole point is that the bicycle be visible before it's in the car's headlights. McDuh.

This is for when the bike is less visible, at distances/conditions where discerning that it -is- a bike and not a stationary reflector/moped braking/car signaling. This illuminates the road behind a cyclist, reflectors don't. Cyclists fear collisions from the rear the most, and it's easy for motorists from behind to misjudge what a bike in the dark is. Reflectors only work if headlights strike them, headlights on bikes illuminate directly in front only, and rear blinkers do not provide enough "signature" from the rear.

If I'm climbing a hill decked out in reflectors, I look like a mailbox from a hundred yards. After all, I'm right next to the mailboxes, and I'm moving very slow relative to a car approaching from the rear, and I have the same reflectors. No headlights will illuminate me, until they are very close, because they will not be on the same angle.

This helps in the many situations where reflectors are deficient, where bikes are poorly lit, when bikes are moving on narrow shoulders or next to look-alike reflectors. Also, think blind right turns, the bike effectively extends its visibility into an area that the driver will be looking, while headlights will not be illuminating that area.

Are there seriously people out there as close minded as this?! Um~ it is ALREADY the law that you share the road with cyclists and as one who rides very cautiously and was still knowcked off my bike this summer by an inattentive driver blowing through a red light, I think this is a WONDERFUL idea!! Cycling is better for our health, our environment and our communities- WHY would anyone want to discourage this is beyone my understanding.

Kelevra et al... If you run me over, you better make sure I'm not getting up. It's because of people like you I carry a heavy-gauge chain as a bike lock. Does wonders to side-view mirrors, windshields, and even the thickest of skulls.

Last guy to knock me off my bike, thought it was funny to take off from the scene of the accident. Caught up to him at the next red light, started beating the shit out of his shiny ride.. dumbass got out to prove his point, got whipped across the face with ten pounds of steel.. I didn't really stick around to see if he got back up.

Steer clear of bikes, you douchebags..

Bikes on the sidewalk are a real danger. In heavy traffic bikes often move as rapidly as cars and they are certainly a great deal cleaner. Drivers do not expect anything moving as fast as a bike on the sidewalk and in many places it is illegal for adults to bike on the sidewalk.

I agree bikes should not go up streets the wrong direction. Drivers need to watch a lot of details keeping track of bikes moving the wrong direction is a lot to expect.

Best safety device I have seen in a long time; I do hope someone markets it ASAP! If they do already, please let me know how to get one

To all of you who think cars own the road: 1. learn how to read 2. study the traffic laws for your drivers test, 3. take the test. If you pass, then realize that I (and every other taxpayer) pays to subsidize your driving to the tune of 75% or more of the costs of roads, infrastructure, law enforcement and yes, the cost of gasoline! It is heavily subsidized by my taxes..though I use almost NONE! So in fact, the fact that I'm on a bike is saving you a bundle of money! (not to mention I'm not polluting your air like you are mine)And I"m not causing a traffic jam for you to be suck in! So get a clue idiots! Bikes are good for you ....even if I'm the one risking my life by riding on the street with drivers like you! (and by the way, if you run over me and I'm still alive, I will sue you big time, and I will probably win!) have a nice day.

Joe, you've made a lot of good points here, but I think you're reasoning is a bit off in regards to Chucklyn's point. If as you said the lamp/illuminator is for visibility at a larger distance it should not be shining on the road. Think of the road as the screen for the projection, you need to be looking down at the screen to see it properly. At greater distances the screen becomes more and more oblique to the viewer and harder to see.
Perhaps the combination of this projector and a flashing light would be a good idea.

It is true there is a lot of tension out there between cyclists and drivers, some would even say there is a war on.
This is why drivers need to give cyclists more room, getting hit or scared by a speeding car quickly turns into Rage from the adrenaline.
Violence is good for nobody.

Why can't we just use a bright light to illuminate the road below/behind the cyclist? It would do the same job and be a lot cheaper, too.

That, combined with a flasher or two should do the trick just fine.

I love this. It's so sad, I just have to laugh.

Let's see, the arguments for bikes riding on the road are "It's the law and you should try it." Nice reasoning.

The arguments against having bikes on the road are that cars can easily hit and kill someone on a bicycle. No one seems to be able to argue against this except for one guy who said that if bikes are put on the sidewalks it will increase bike-pedestrian collisions.
lol - if we put cars on the sidewalk it will increase collisions there too.

Matt says that cars need to give bikes more room. umm BIG car, little bike. Don't you have it a little backwards?

Youranidiot says the first paved roads were for bikes. Duh. That's because bikes were the only affordable means of transportation for most of the population. That is until Ford released the Model T and began the age of the affordable car. Now things are a little screwy.

By the way, I still would run over anyone who has such an ego as to equip their bike with lasers so it gives them their own lane. The idea is to share the road right and not show off that you're on a bike?
Maybe I should just buy some really bright headlights to blind everyone, that should show off the fact that I have a car.

That's just hillarious, I need a dozen.
And Kelevra, you best be sure the first time or you'll be in my sights.

YoGurt, putting bikes on sidewalks also increases bike-car collisions. GoFigurt!

now while i agree the whole personal bike laser lane thing is pretty ridiculous (isn't a blinking light sufficient, or reflective clothing perhaps?), the rest of you are inconsiderate idiots. bikes on the road is the law, research showed not only do bikes on the road prevent bike-pedestrian collisions, they also show fewer bike-vehicle collisions cause you can see the bike right in the road. the reason this is different than pedestrians is a good honk and boom that less than 3 mph walking person just pulls their foot back for an asshole who thinks he always has the right of way to turn. on a bike that is going anywhere from 5-25 mph, it's not that easy to stop, honk swerve crash.

i'll also add for devils advocate purposes, that bikers are idiots and asses too (what is it with any form of transportation and people feeling entitled to things?). if you're on a bike, motored or not, you're a vehicle. it's the law you stay on the road, that also means you have to obey every law. i live in boston, right on huntington ave, where there are about 10 different university campuses, and at least once a year or more often i hear of some dumb ass kid who got killed on a bicycle. i don't mean to be insensitive, but i see you idiots running red lights, cutting in front of the T, and not obeying any traffic laws. pedestrians, in most areas not a highway, have priority right of way, in any situation (especially in mass), so honk all you want, if you run them over, you're ass is going to jail. bikes, you're on the road, you see a freaking stop sign, you have to stop. cars, you share the road with the bikes, deal with it.

....and yes i'd take a baseball bat to anyone who is so full of themselves that they'd get a product to create their own fake funny lane...heh.

(quote)If you pass, then realize that I (and every other taxpayer) pays to subsidize your driving to the tune of 75% or more of the costs of roads, infrastructure, law enforcement and yes, the cost of gasoline! It is heavily subsidized by my taxes(endquote)

First of all gasoline is not subsidized by taxes, it is taxed averaging roughly $0.50 a gallon. Which at $2/gal that is a full 1/4th the cost of gasoline diesel slightly more. Gasoline alone generating some $200 billion in revenue split between states and the federal government. Federally of the $40 billion they receive though gasoline taxes only $23billion(1) goes to infrastructure improvements and new roads. Billions of the rest have been used to set up bike trails and fund mass transit among other things. On the state level virtually all states fund repairs and maintenance of roads out of gasoline tax funds.

The truth of the matter is that without those cars on the road there wouldn't be roads and likely no bike trails either.

This doesn't mean that drivers shouldn't be respectful of bikers. But don't think for a minute your are paying your fair share for the maintenance of the roads you ride or worse that you are somehow burdened by paying for drivers to use that road.

1. http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/04/415.asp

Do any of you realize that bicyclists are legally not allowed to ride on the side walk. You can get ticketed for it. Bicyclists must follow all of the laws that cars do. So stop being ignorant. Also, how can you seriously have a problem with people that choose a healthier mode of transportation?

You have some bad information RATFINK.
Fuel taxes do not cover the full cost of maintaining the transportation infrastructure. Everyone contributes to cover the 30% of additional funds used. The "billions" that go to mass transit go to private business like Amtrak (who charges you to put a street over their track), not for sidewalks so kids can walk to school.
Bicycle and pedestrian projects receive 1.5% of transportation revenue while they are 10% of the traffic. Pedestrians and cyclist pay far more than their fair share.

Bicyclist should have their own lane to avoid accident.

Well I live in Amsterdam where automobilists have no say in who or what happens cos EVERYONE rides bikes there. I think for countries where there are quite a lot of bikes this is a good idea. I don't think that in the USA those would be all that handy cos as I've seen in my many many visits to the states people who drive cars there can't drive att ALL. Your roads are huge and still you manage to crash into everything you come across so I don't think a laser gadget would make any difference. However I like the idea. I hope it will be available here in holland soon.

Beware psychos...making statements like "I'd run you over just for having it", etc could quite get you into a position that you can't get yourself out of. For example, challenge me and you'd get one hell of a surprise. Keep your chain smoking, SUV driving, cell phone addicted, latte sipping ass the hell out of MY bike lane! My greatest triumph last year was watching some ass who though it would be cute to huck a full bottle of water at me as he and his friends were speeding by at 50+ get loaded into the back of a police car for a FELONY. That's right, dumbass, in CA, a bicycle is a moving vehicle and throwing something from one vehicle to another in an agressive manner earns you a night in big boy jail and a court date! Bikes have a right to be there...get over it. We're not all armchair quarterbacks who see "fast pitch softball" as a workout.

This device is a great idea for the demograph that cycles - like me. As for others, maybe not so much. But if you have so much ire in your life that you have to lash out in a silly comment section to make you feel better about yourself - dude. If you have to blame someone else for where you are in life, I hope that's a mirror you're pointing at you fool. It's FQ'g bike lamp to help keep people both cycling & driving safe. Get over it. This site is about innovation, not ignorance. I'm going to buy two now just to piss YOU off.

OK, I cycle, drive a car, and walk. So I come from all three points of view. I prefer to cycle or walk to conserve resources and eliminate pollution. But although I have cycled 100 miles in one day, it is simply not possible to cycle or walk everywhere.

Tolerance and sharing enable everyone to co-exist. When driving a car, I watch for pedestrians and cyclists and I DO NOT use a cell phone or other distraction while operating a lethal weapon (we should all think of our cars this way.) When cycling, I obey traffic laws, stop at stop signs, and do not do idiotic things like passing a car signaling for a right turn on the right! It is illegal, impractical, and a danger to pedestrians to ride on the sidewalk. As a pedestrian, I don't crowd the intersections so the cars can't get through (I live near New York-- pedestrians are always clogging the streets at the corners).

I see unsafe drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. No one group has cornered the market on recklessness.

Can't we all calm down and cooperate? Will it hurt a driver so much to slow down and lose 30 seconds off his commute to allow a cyclist a little extra room if necessary (i.e., getting around parked cars)? Will it really hurt the cyclist to stay back a few cars at the red light so that the cars who have already passed him don't have to deal with him again?

Life is too short to waste it on anger, self-centerness, and intolerance.

DD

How about everyone just starts taking their own lanes with them? We just might run out of road surface... oh wait?

STUPID.

Great IDEA! Im in. I drive and ride and at night it is really hard to see cyclists. Just being able to see them a split second sooner could make the difference. It might make some people mad, but so what.

Brian

Its a bad IDEA!! From what I can see in the picture, there is no barrier keeping cars from the bike path and vice versa. I was hit by a pickup truck over 10 years ago. I was in the gutter (no bike lane available) going down a hill and this truck careens across the road and the next thing I know, its 3 weeks later and I gave a broken leg and arm and I don't know what happened 5 minutes ago.

So, the car drivers and the bike riders can cry all they want, just keep them apart, AT ALL TIMES!!

Sure there are a lot of cyclists in Amsterdam and other places. That is because the roads there are for the most part extremely narrow and there is pretty much no automobile parking within the cities at any cost.

In the US we have wide roads and plenty of parking in most urban areas. Amsterdam doesn't have the room for wide roads and parking, the US does. People adapt to the situation presented them.

Most of the population in the US lives outside the cities and not in them because we have a fairly decent road systems that allows us to move around from city to suburb rapidly. Try driving a car across Amsterdam on a daily basis. If the US had not built the interstate system that led to the growth of suburbs and the need for cars we would have seen fewer suburbs, more public transportation, and more people on bicycles.

Until the US stops the orgy of road building we will have even more suburbs and more cars. The Democrats are going to build or rebuild thousands of miles of roads starting in one week - with borrowed money. Heaven help us.

if you Kelevra, Auntie Hosebag, are to fat and lazy ti ride the bike don't blame others that are more active and fit than you are

Kelevra, Yogurt, etc... You people are just the perfect example of why the term "Ugly Americans" has been around so long. Read your traffic laws. In virtually every state a bicycle has the same rights (and responsibilities) as a car or motorcycle, with the "stay as far to the right as is safe and practical" clause thrown in. A cyclist is entitled to use as much or the lane as is needed. Cars are required to yield right-of-way. And before you get your undies in a knot, think about this: Cars came after bicycles. The first paved roads in this country were designed for bicycles - it was the highway system that was created for cars and longer-distance travel. Now my question - how much will gas have to to per-gallon to get your lazy, ignorant ass out of a car and onto a bike (or, god forbid, walking)?

When on a bike you had better drive on the defense or you are road kill. Using this stupid thing would give bikers a false sense of security. How about a laser toilet, then I can just take a dump at will ?

I didnt read all the comments here because its gonna be drivers think this is a pathetic idea and cyclists think its marvellous. But im a driver and the amount of times ive nearly knocked a stupid cyclist off his bike because he cant cycle in a straight line or he thinks its a good idea to cycle at the side of his buddy so they can chat is too many to count. And now you are gonna cycle round with cycle lanes emiiting from your arses, so if your in the middle of the road you have a cycle lane, get real, if i have a duel carriage shining out of my car does that mean i can drive at 70 MPH all of a sudden, dont think so

Are bike riders required to carry liability insurance for the damage they do to my car as it passes over them? It might blow a tire! If you want to share the road get a license plate and insurance and follow the rules. If you want to be treated respectfully then don't run the red lights and don't split lanes.

why cant you use a side walk, there is a perfectly good on right next to him in the pic

Cool. Perhaps you can make a similar version for zebra crossings. Then I can cross the road wherever and whenever I like.
Or like if I was driving a car, I can turn any lane I like into a turning lane, just by shining the appropriate signal on the ground.

as a cyclist, i think this is a cool idea, and the cyclists that ride in the road, yeah, they're the ones riding ROAD bikes, they're supposed to be there. You telling me not to be there is like me telling you to take your Ferari offroading.

Oil will hold it's low price. This is Obama's time, and the savior will not allow his people to suffer.

The fact is that your idea of riding a bike to save gas is rediculous. Let's pretend a bicycle costs 99 dollars (I've seen them for over 1000 so 99 is pretty dang cheap). Let's also pretend a helmet is 1 dollar (I'm sure they are at least 20 in reality). Okay we got our bike setup for 100 dollars.

That 100 dollars buys 50 gallons of gasoline. At 20 miles per gallon, that 100 dollars buys 1000 miles. At 5 mph on a bike, I'd have to ride for over 200 hours.

Let's see, I work in Seattle which has the world record for most rainy days so I'm sure hopping on a bike works well. Oh oh oh, I'm also a UPS driver so let's load up my BICYCLE with packages. Now I can get my 200 hours on a bike.

Your bicycle costs gasoline. It cost gasoline to make it and it cost it to ship it. Deal with it or continue to be an idiot.

If it was powered by the bike I'de really be impressed. Apparently I am easily impressed.

The only reason these people hat bikes is because, it hasn't got enough room to carry their big macs.

I didn't see anyone mention that my dedicated Road Bike wasn't designed to be on a sidewalk - as it can damage the vehicle that cost me a few thousand dollars. When discussions about bikes come up, people invariably think we should be sidewalk riders - but road bikes are designed for neither sidewalks nor gravel. Ever try riding a bicylcle on a two lane road with an 18 wheeler behind you? I have - and the guy obviously didn't know the law, either. I like the idea of the light, as I do anything I can to live another day.

Speaking as someone who road a bicycle for many years BEFORE there were bike lanes all opver the place, I make an observation, now that they are everywhere.

I don't get the point. They don't seem to actually make anything any safer. In fact, most people agree that bike lanes have made some of the safety issues worst.

If anything we need less rules and lines on the road. Its been shown time and again that all this "feel safer" mumbo jumbo doesn't work and people drive safer and are more courteous without all this right of way, stay in the line BS.

In fact, some places in europe are experimenting with removing ALL street lines, lanes, signs, etc. They find not only neighborhood beautification, but drivers are more polite on the road.

For example...crosswalks. Its been shown that dding crosswalks makes drivers LESS courteous to pedestrians, because now they HAVE to stop for them (which they resent) and so they REFUSE to stop for them anywhere else, at all, ever. (I see it all the time)

Once again making more rules is blowing up in peoples faces, and they just refuse to believe it.

Thinking about it, it seems like rotaries... sure things like this MAY increase safety by getting cyclists off the sidewalk. However, thats ALL I see.

I don't see how bike lanes help at all, they seem to me like the opposite of rotaries. Rotaries are roundabouts where traffic in the circle has right of way.

They are great... statistically FAR safer than normal intersections. However most drivers seem to hate them, and I have even heard of state projects to "do away with more of them".

Ask a motorist, and they will tell you rotaries are dangerous... even though the facts simply say its not true... the fact is, just because you are uncomfortable and scared, doesn't mean you arn't safe. It just means you are bad at judging your own safety.

Thats how I see bike lanes. They don't make you more safe, they don't do shit really except make cyclists FEEL more safe on the road so they stop using the sidewalk.

Frankly, I think just keeping lanes as they are and encouraging bicyclists to use the road would do MORE for safety and making the road more complicated for no reason.

-Steve

Wow, this has been enlightening. I am amazed, and honestly, ashamed.

Here's a moment of honesty: I used to be a jackass driver. I gassed it quickly at lights, braked suddenly, tailed, and sped. Luckily, my only accidents just caused aesthetic damage, but that didn't change my behaviors.

Eventually, I realized I was throwing away money on gas, making my commute more stressful, and not saving enough time to justify it. My three-hour trek through my state used to take a full tank of gas the way I drove. I wised up, drove defensively, and kept the speed limits, and the same drive only takes a half a tank. Money in my pocket. It's also more enjoyable, takes less coffee, and keeps me safer.

Then I realized my shortest commutes were hardest on my car. So I started biking those, and surprisingly, the savings didn't just come from not using the gas, but not bogging down my car with more stop-and-go. Less maintenance, more money in my pocket.

Now I'm a considerate cyclist and motorist. I ride my bike on my very short commute to work, which saves my car from the inefficiencies of operating at low temperatures, which decreases the efficiency of the catalytic converter (bad for the environment) and causes condensate to pool in my exhaust (bad for my car).

My car thanks me for this treatment: It costs me less to operate it for the longer trips that I use it for, and it's lasted quite well despite the mileage I do put on it.

The goal of making yourself more visible is for the safety of the biker only. It doesn't grant someone any special rights, unlike attempting to shine a turning lane signal out of your car might. It just makes you more visible. That's it. A bike lane doesn't give cyclists any rights to be there that weren't there before, unlike a turning lane or parking lane. Trying not to get hit is hardly a selfish act.

The reality of the sidewalk situation is that they aren't everywhere, they're not actually safe for cyclists, and bikes are vehicles, and have to be on the road. I'm terribly sorry we have to share space, but we do. My strategy will be to avoid getting hit by motorists who don't think driving merits their full attention, and any device that helps that I appreciate.

why not just use the sidewalk

WHAT I DONT UNDERSTAND IS WHY BICYCLES HAVE THEIR OWN LANE WITHOUT PAYING FOR IT, LIKE= NO LICENSE PLATES, NO TABS, TAXES JUST ILLEGAL MOVES AND WHEN THEY WANT TO USE A BICYCLE LANE. A CAR CANT GO IN THERE LANE, BUT THEY CAN COME IN OURS AND GO ON THE SIDEWALK, ETC. LICENSE PLATES= 6 INCHES LONG, 3 INCHES WIDE. ???????

Patrick, retired524, et al.: I'm a cyclist, and I pay taxes that help build the roads I use. In many areas, bikes have a registration fee. As my bike is a vehicle, I can be ticketed like any other for moving violations.

Cars can go into the bike lane, to turn right, park on the shoulder, avoid an oncoming wide load. They just can't live there. Bikes HAVE to go into the car lane every time they turn LEFT. Cyclists who don't signal are jerks, granted. Bikes also have to use sidewalks to get to bike racks, bike stores, and drum circles in local parks.

Sidewalks are simply not safe for cyclists.
1.) Sidewalks are not everywhere. Every sidewalk that ends would force cyclists into the road without any warning to motorists.
2.) Intersections of roads that have sidewalks increase the number of collision points (points where normal traffic crosses paths) between bikes and cars, which is more dangerous for both.
3.) Sidewalks are frequently in worse repair than roads, another hazard for cyclists.
4.) Bike lanes have numerous benefits for neighborhoods and motorists. http://bicycleuniverse.info/transpo/bikelanes.html

Brilliant idea, I'd buy one :-)

very nice preventing sideswipe..

I am pretty apalled at the number of anti-bike folks out there, and the number who don't seem to understand that bikes DO have a right to shart the road. They must follow the same rules as cars, and cars must give them room Yes, there are rude, inconsiderate bikers out there just as there are rude, inconsiderate drivers. Perhaps if we did have more legimate bike lanes, then bikes and cars might get along better.

this is absolutely fantastic. i love this idea. yay bikes, yay safety!

Well riding a bike on the sidewalk is illegal in my city, as is riding without a light at night. There are bike lanes and tons of bike commuters. Plus there is usually less broken glass and debris to pop tubes with in the road than there is on the sidewalk. If drivers knew how to deal with bicycles (i.e. passing at the appropriate time, not just riding behind you beeping like some asshat) and bicyclists were smarter about riding (i.e. not completely blowing every stop and red light) than the two could get along fine. Unfortunately a lot of dumb shit bike messenger fanboys enjoy riding their fixed gears through intersections to fulfil their fantasies. Also a lot of drivers enjoy scaring bikers, throwing glass out the window and generally being stupid. So how about everyone is less stupid then we won't have stupid ideas like this?

generally speaking, from my experience as a biker, people dont pay attention to flashing lights on the back of a bicycle. ive been hit by 3 cars who just werent paying attention, as i clearly was on the very side of the road, and had a flashing tail light, and headlight on my bike. i find people tend to pay a lot more attention to lights and signs they see ON the road. I doubt this invention was in a narcissistic act of "giving ones self their own bike lane." I'm sure it came from another concerned biker like myself who is sick of ignorant drivers who don't pay attention to their surroundings, in which case I feel it is completely valid, and a good idea. If you cant look at the situation as an invention for the safety of another human being, you don't deserve a life, let alone a drivers license.

if you really dont want to get run over that badly, stay off the road....they were desgined for cars originally anyways

I was about to put a number of idiots on this striaght with pacts about highway law, how roads are funded etc. but then realised this is obviously an american site. Makes Britain seem civilised!
I pity the people on both sides of this argument.

and the internet you're using was originally for the military.

Nice ideas. I don't know about anywhere else, but in Canada, if there is no bike lane, cars are required to legally give bikers a metre of space from the edge of the road, and if the edge of the road is messed up, or has snowbanks or something, or if the lane is just to narrow, then they are required to give bikers the lane. Unfortunately, I don't think a single driver in the country remembers that law, because the number of times I have almost gotten run over is insane. I do agree that drivers have a right to be annoyed with bikes that bike on the wrong side of the street, etc. But instead of complaining about bikers who follow the rules of the road, maybe some drivers should drag themselves out of their cars and get some exercise once in a while. And maybe cut back on some gas too.
This is a good idea. Maybe it will at least remind drivers that they do have to share the road with cyclists.

Wow. Reading these comments is an eye-opener. Are half the people posting on the internet arrogant and full of rage? Limey takes the opportunity to throw in a couple of anti-American comments, half the bike riders throw in anti-car or anti-driver comments, most of the car drivers post anti-bike comments.
How about commenting on the idea's merits, since that's what the article is about? I think it could increase driver awareness, which is a good thing. It's not about entitlement, it's about safety. Share the road, share the planet, people!
FYI, I don't ride a bike due to health and age issues, but I'm probably going to work up to it. So I'm trying not to be biased either way. Why don't more of you try to drop your biases? This is about the device, folks!

I have a dear friend who is an avid cyclist and a VERY competent rider. I'm sending this to him because of the funny factor. But I do think they are a good idea. I'm a motorcycle rider and I can tell you that ANYTHING that helps to improve visibility to drivers in cars is a good thing.
As for the law, I personally think that those under a certain age should be required to ride on a sidewalk if available. But as a cyclist, you are also responsible to know the rules of road and follow them.

Great Idea to protect cyclists at night. If they would only stay within these limits, single file, when in large groups out for the Sunday 'run', they would even be safer, and annoy motorists less.

Wow . . . Americans frighten me. You have some of the best innovations and highest ideals, and yet some of the most ignorant and disgusting attitudes.

I wish drivers didn't seem to feel this homicidal rage towards bicyclists. I think it's sick and a major sign that someone needs psychological help. Car drivers break the laws and drive stupidly far more than cars (possibly simply by virtue that there are far more cars on the road), but people don't talk openly about how they'd like to run over soccer moms taking their children to school in a minivan, and then back up to run them over again.

As for the product, I think there are technical limitations of how bright the reflected light off the pavement can be vs. street lights and car headlights. However, I think it's a great idea that should be pursued. I'd buy one, if it works.

"Then I realised it was an American site" wasn't meant to be anti American, just to highlight the different laws we have over here. Yes, we have cyclists who ride on pavements/without lights/through red lights etc. and yes we have drivers who think it's OK to run over anyone who gets in the way but at least when you get killed you're in the right! As with Kirstin's observation in Canada a lot of the bad attitude is down to the fact that drivers haven't read the highway code in 30 years. Of course, it's the bad ones you notice - the 99.9999% who overtake safely drop from your memory.

I think the product may have some merit, although the lane seems dangerously narrow in the picture. A similar product is available that lights up the space around the bike, thus implying a safe overtaking distance. Maybe they do some good, I certainly can't see any harm but only once you've already invested in a good set of lights and a high viz jacket. I'd also doubt that it shows up under headlights but if it does, how about displaying a simple sign or message to encourage people to pass carefully instead?

Many, many inaccuracies and stupid comments in this thread.

First, in many places, it is illegal for a bicycle to be ridden on the sidewalk - they are treated no differently than a car by the law. It's no different than sharing the rode with motorcycles, scooters, etc.

To the person that said they'd be riding 5mph. That is a *VERY* slow speed. Most people can walk at close to that speed. If you are doing distance riding, you will be doing more like 25-50mph (depending on quality of bike, road, etc).

Actually, roads were not originally designed for cars. Roads were originally designed for walking and animal drawn vehicles (the Romans were the first widespread builders of roads).

I think the spirit of our culture lives on when devices like this appear and are made available. Why the h**l aren't they, the non-cyclists, using corn syrup or ovaltine for their cars?

Some of you may want to do one of three things. 1.) Wait until you have a liscense. 2.) Go back and retake your driver's test. 3.) Check the law books (yes, it can be done online) and local laws as well. You will find that most localities require cyclists to use the road and stay off the sidewalks, however, too many drivers are too self-involved to realise this. Drivers are required by law to provide the space to the cyclist. AND!!! Cyclist are required by law to obey the exact same traffic laws as vehicles.

This comes from someone that obeys those laws and has been driven off the road by a careless driver.

for the people who said they would run over a bike rider, I hope you you get hit by an 18 wheeler, not to kill you but to let you understand what you said. Getting hit by a bigger and heavier vehicle.And by the way, people like you are also the ones who drive down the road talking on your cell,reading the news paper doing anything but paying attention to your driving, you are the ones who don't use turn signals, in short a very unsafe driver.Bikes have just as much right on the road as you in your car and you can bet they are a much safer driver than you ever thought about being for the simple fact that they have to watch out for assholes like you. if everone rode a bike, there would be a lot less accidents and death from accidents.so before you decide to just run over a bike rider think about this:chances are your kids ride a bike and with people out there like you,they will die because some a'hole like you is behind the wheel of a car.

Brilliant- now we just have to add a proximity-triggered claymore to keep kelevra at a safe distance.

Shut up Limey or we'll send the French to kick your butt for us again.

I drive for a living and no, I am not a big fan of bicyclists. They don't follow the law at all -- most of them don't feel that have to stop at stop signs and I have had to swerve in to oncoming traffic to avoid hitting them since they seem to think it is fine to ride 4 and 5 across. The law states single file except when passing. Also, this little red light is going to stop someone?! I have had my truck parked with hazard and flashing yellow strobes going and still have had it hit. People don't pay attention. The ones I see are too busy putting on their makeup, talking on the phone and texting their friends while they are driving. Or, as one person I saw, and this is the God's honest truth, he was busy playing his guitar and harmonica (at the same time) while driving down the road. These lights will only become confusing to motorists and lead to more accidents than they will prevent.

Capt America, not sure what I've done to offend you but by all means go ahead if you can book a slot when they're not on strike ;)

Blueknight, I've used you argument with numpties a few times. I do occasionally drive Artics (Semis?), although they're usually only rated at 40 tons (our limit is 44) I still think they'd hurt quite a lot if I squashed a little car. I'd like to advise any car drivers reading this that from the comfort of a lorry (truck) cab, 10 feet above the road those SUV's look pretty fragile....in fact there are plenty of blind spots where they can disappear from view altogether and get squashed. With the long bonnets (hoods) you have over there the problem must be even worse. (No, that's not anti American, just an observation of different body styles!)
Touch wood I've never driven over a car but am told it feels a bit like hitting a high curbstone.
So, where were we with the "get out of my way, I'm bigger than you" discussion?

Joe,
Well put, I also haven't heard the anti-lane cyclist perspective from another. I remember when the lanes started being put into Chicago, and suddenly people thought it was only legal to ride there.... I am glad for these forums, for they allow safer communication for the softies.

well it seems that spamming reload still works....

I hate to say that some people previously commenting are assholes. You want to know what happened to me? I almost got hit IN THE BYCYCLE LANE. So I started riding on the sidewalk. The I got hit by a car while riding my bicycle on the sidewalk, The insurance refused to pay for the replacement of my bike because they said it was partly my fault for being on the sidewalk instead of in the bicycle lane. Now do you really think this will help any? It is a wonderful idea but I don't think it would make much of a difference. As far as "STAY OUT OF THE STREET" goes, if you don't ride in the street then you don't get paid if you get hit by a car because it is your fault to. So tell me what would you do when in a position that you had to ride a bike to get to work?

I am an avid bike rider, I have been known to ride My bike for 2 or more hours just to get to work (just because I want to).
I was wondering, is this "laser lane" the alternative to actually having a bike lane?
I mean, I get the fact that there are those out there who feel they are entitled to everything regardless of everyone else around them, is this a part of it?
First: if a motor vehicle operator does not care how close they drive to a cyclist , or the cyclist does not care how they are weaving in and out of traffic(jeopardising the cyclist and anyone else , including motor vehicle operators ,within striking distance), how will this help?
Second:if this is an alternative to having an actual bike lane, does this mean that regardless of where the person is cycling, that is their lane? Sorry about the laser damage to the eyes fido, you were in My lane(oooo the lawsuits will abound).
I see the potential , it illuminates the "safe zone" around a cyclist so others have an idea of how close they can safely get, but what`s next, cars with "laser lane"?
Why even bother to mark the roads with lines?
Society acknowledges that people are inherently ignorant and must be told where they can operate their person equipment, I see no intrinsic value in this except as another gadget in an attempt to alleviate perceived fear....really, it does little else...and certainly does little to nothing to actually protect the rider.
One would think that with the millions the govt. steals from the populace every year, items like this would be totally unnecessary as there would be proper accomodation for all users of the "public travelways".
Of course, that one would also have to believe that the govt. cares about anything other than the money..............

well as far as the lightlane goes, it's one of those make you feel safe,everybody can see me things,in reality people can't see trains when they cross the tracks so I don't really see this working too well. there is only one true way to make the streets safe and that is for everybody to stay off them, but since that isn't going to happen, there are going to be crashes,notice I said crashes, because when you drive, everything you do is on purpose,when you decide not to pay attention to your driving, you are doing it on purpose hence there are no accidents.And as far as people like kelevra,auntie and bob go, they should just be shot in the head and start cleaning out the gene pool.

As an avid bike rider, I; and many more like me, take it as official responsibility to kick shit out of Kelevra and all others with an undeserved sense of entitlement to the road.

O'Bobson and a few others: you are on target. As a driver, I would appreciate a bit of guidance on judging space between my car and a biker at night. I think the point was safety, not showing off. I also live in a subdivision with no sidewalks and many area streets are narrow, no shoulders and no sidewalks yet. Kids (and adults) are out on bikes and kids on skateboards and little scooters in the evening, when they shouldn't or are on their way home from school, job, or a friend's house. If used in combination withe reflectors, lights, etc. even more helpful. We have to share the road with walkers also, some families or parents with strollers. It could be helpful there, too, shining in front of me, although I do step off the street when I can for oncoming cars and usually carry a flashlight that I can swing to alert cars (Yes, walkers SHOULD be on the left side FACING oncoming traffic, bicycles and other wheeled vehicles, and horses on the same side as cars).

Is there a model that while direct this image straight into the eyes of drives like Kelevra? If so I want one now.

I can't see well int he dark anyway, so stay off the street at night.

It is certainly inventive and quite effective if observed at close range; but is that safe enough? It would be fun to have a group one after the other weaving about like a red serpent. However side by side could prove to be a tangled mess. I like it though. SOLD!!!

thanks stumble! im pretty damn drunk and lying in my house. thanks for listening!!!!

Yogurt, Kelevra and the other car-centric provocateurs have small brains of dinosaur-like proportions. US driving standards border on the 3rd world - half the drivers are filling their faces or talking on phones so it's no surprise that they run over bikes. The level of incompetent driving I have witnessed is pretty staggering. But then that's what you'd expect in a country where 16 year old numbskulls (like the aforementioned Yogurt and his mouthy pal) can get behind the wheel of a 2 ton crock of Chrysler steel before they are even old enough to be trusted with a legal can of beer. What a joke.

"Oil will hold it's low price. This is Obama's time, and the savior will not allow his people to suffer."

Yogurt you are the biggest idiot I have ever met
Can Obama make fossil fuels come back?
Can Obama make oil and other non - renewable fuels?

NO!
If you actually bothered to read a book or pass your exams and get some qualifications, you'd realise that we don't infinite amounts of oil and it will one day run out, so what you gunna do then! huh!

Mummy, Mummy, why has that man got a laser up his arse?

Did he upset Darth Vader?

If cyclists want to get any sympathy they need to start obeying the rules of the road a little more, particularly A) stopping at red lights- this simple act would make me much more sympathetic to cyclists- B) not snaking in between stopped traffic but waiting at the back of the queue (unless in a cycle lane obviously) and C) using lights at night.

Have some consideration for the drivers that DO try to share the road with you and maybe you'll get what you want.

Bad idea because, has anyone heard of the moth effect? Drivers are drawn to lights on roads like when you see police lights and ur driving by and not paying attention, you start heading right for the lights. Same thing here, you see a light on a bike and it catches your attention and you...splat! and thats my point.

hells yeah. man this is so tight. i think this should be a necessary item for any and all bikers.

I agree with Kelevra. I'm also someone who rides his bicycle a lot. I'm not ignorant of either side, but bicycles do not belong on highways, only small roads.

I have no problem with sharing the road with bikes; however it bothers me when they complain about not receiving equal rights on the road. If this is the case, then play by ALL of the rules cars obey, not just chosen ones. This includes stopping at stop signs, sitting in traffic, not running red lights, and many more.

You know, when I look at this I don't particularly care about the actual usage and production. Such an invention will never really be used in the mainstream, I'm just happy to see that people are still having innovative ideas.
As for the bikes v. cars question, I applaud people who ride bikes, but when I'm driving they do annoy the crap out of me- for two reasons. One, there are very few bike lanes in my city because the roadsides have been reserved for street parking, which means the cyclist is usually swerving around parked cars and hard to see. Not their fault, but still annoying. Second, I feel that if a bike is considered a vehicle, it should have to follow ALL vehicular rules, such as stopping at stop signs and red lights. It drives me nuts to risk my own safety passing a bike in my lane only to have that bike zip past me at an intersection.

Or better yet, Illegalize cars, they make assholes out of people.

why are people so angry? why can't you just be happy?!

RIDING ON THE SIDEWALK HAS NOW BEEN MADE ILLEGAL IN MANY CITIES THANKS TO LAZY, AGGO, UNEDUCATED SUV VOTERS AND FAT LEGISLATORS. That's why.

Excellent advice - don't feed the trolls.

Come to The Netherlands. We have bicycle lanes next to almost every road, it's much saver.