Pedals with lights - good or bad idea?

[Ross]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/re ... -ride-safe

Pros:
Better visabilty to drivers
Auto start and stop
Automatically works out which way the pedal is facing and makes sure white light is facing the fron't and red at the rear
USB charging
Weatherproof
Lights can also be used on seatpost or handlebars (using their mount)

Cons:
Something else that needs charging
Proprietary flat pedals are needed in conjuncion with the lights(guess their target market is recreational and commuter cyclists, not the more serious MTBers or roadies though they do claim to be developing lights for clipless pedals)
Kicsktarter projects are notorious for not following through to fruition so backers risk losing their money
For night riding reflectors arguably do same job for less money and you don't have to worry about charging reflectors (but reflectors do rely on having light shining on them to be seen)

[foo on patrol]

Cheaper to have reflective tape on the back of your shoes and the crank arm, I did this 45yrs ago.

Foo

[find_bruce]

Christopher reviewed the Look Geo pedals in 2020 which covered many of the general issues.

There are a few differences

• dual sided (the look are spd & flat combo but only 1 light)
• Auto on is a good feature
• using recognisable red & white colours front and rear seems to me to be a good idea
• the geek in me loves that the lights change colour so that white is always forward
• the light module is better protected - the look geo lights stick out at the back
• I particularly like the side visibility which looks likely to improve visibility when you're approaching an intersection
• Battery life is problematic - 3 hours on steady cf Look geo 8 hours on steady
• significantly cheaper - retail looks like US$135 +US$10 shipping cf Look geo $230 RRP

Price doesn't look quite so good when you can get the looks for $157 from probikekit

Reflective tape works well, but only if you are in the headlight beam. When you're approaching an intersection if you're in the headlight beam either (1) its already too late or (2) the vehicle will pass behind you. Not suggesting it's useless, just not as effective as a light source.

[foo on patrol]

Christopher reviewed the Look Geo pedals in 2020 which covered many of the general issues.

There are a few differences

• dual sided (the look are spd & flat combo but only 1 light)
• Auto on is a good feature
• using recognisable red & white colours front and rear seems to me to be a good idea
• the geek in me loves that the lights change colour so that white is always forward
• the light module is better protected - the look geo lights stick out at the back
• I particularly like the side visibility which looks likely to improve visibility when you're approaching an intersection
• Battery life is problematic - 3 hours on steady cf Look geo 8 hours on steady
• significantly cheaper - retail looks like US$135 +US$10 shipping cf Look geo $230 RRP

Price doesn't look quite so good when you can get the looks for $157 from probikekit

Reflective tape works well, but only if you are in the headlight beam. When you're approaching an intersection if you're in the headlight beam either (1) its already too late or (2) the vehicle will pass behind you. Not suggesting it's useless, just not as effective as a light source.

I understand that but the tape that I used back then, was visible from 100mtrs away.

Foo

[blkmcs]

Back in the early 1980s when I often commuted at night I used one of these Wonder lights strapped around my calf.
The movement really caught the attention of motorists, much more convenient than special pedals.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/254572444115?ha ... SwF3Bemlas

[open roader]

Many years ago I was roadside to watch the Herald Sun Tour peleton go past on my local roads hoping to get some photographs.

This particular day was a dead loss photo wise with with a post overnight rain thin misty fog that clung tight down to ground level and one of the darkest overcast daytime apocalyptic skies I ever recall. It was approx. 11am but felt much more like an hour after sunset on a cloudy evening. It was remarkably dark for daylight hours.

The peleton was working it's way up a winding road on a moderate gradient slope and from my vantage point I could see nothing but grey space in front of me until a few of the support cars with headlights on came through so I knew exactly where to look.

The first thing I saw was some yellow flickering coming up the road. Turned out to be a pair of yellow Mavic road shoes on the 7th or 8th rider to start the climb - so in effect there was at least half a dozen riders within 50m of my vantage point that I could barely make out but the rider with the yellow shoes who had dropped off the leaders about 180m back who was more visible then the ones just down the road from me.

I was both impressed and amazed at how my attention was immediately caught by that pair of spinning yellow shoes that cut right through the gloom. I purchased a pair immediately and have purchased another pair since as I'm convinced human attention is easily captured with a small rapid moving light source than a larger brighter more static light source like a front headlight or solid rear light.

So my verdict (irrespective of cost) is good idea.

[Thoglette]

Reflective tape works well, but only if you are in the headlight beam. When you're approaching an intersection if you're in the headlight beam either (1) its already too late or (2) the vehicle will pass behind you. Not suggesting it's useless, just not as effective as a light source.

I understand that but the tape that I used back then, was visible from 100mtrs away.

And if you have the ADR-prescribed wheel reflectors, you're visible from the side at that distance too.

If you've got an effective light source front and rear, you'll be throwing a decent loom onto the road at both ends too.

Not that that'll stop SMIDSY

Perth driver hits four parked cars in Attadale crash, destroys garden wall

But there's money to be made so don't let me get in the way....

[AUbicycles]

Bright (self lit) can help enhance visibility through the human biometric recognition…. especialli as this is a pattern quite different to a station light or light on a bike moving in a straight plane. Flashing is more confusing than useful in my view.

Pedal lights still come after the key red rear light and if it is really $160, do they come a recharge for you?

Still ok to have these light to further enhance visibility… and much better than another “I’ve got a great idea, been riding bikes for one month and discovered there is something missing… bikes need indicators” product.