Citi Bike, the company behind the bike-sharing programs in many urban centers, is testing a new safety system with the help of Blaze Laserlights. The company plans to place the lights on 250 of its bikes in New York City as part of a pilot project for assessing their ability to keep both cyclists and pedestrians safe.
For cyclists, handling unpredictable drivers on the roads is a challenge that requires alertness. Factor in pedestrians who often don't adhere to the rules of the road, and staying safe only gets harder. Blaze Laserlights project a bicycle symbol approximately 20 feet in front of the cyclist, giving inattentive pedestrians an early warning when a rider's approaching.
Research on the Blaze Laserlights on Citi Bikes in London has shown that cyclists using the lights at night are even safer than cyclists in the daytime.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Safety Technology
- The integration of safety technology, such as Blaze Laserlights, into biking equipment and infrastructure can provide enhanced protection for cyclists and pedestrians.
- Active Transportation
- The growing popularity of bike-sharing programs like Citi Bike highlights the increasing demand for active transportation options in urban centers.
- Data-driven Assessments
- Pilot projects, like the one conducted by Citi Bike, demonstrate the importance of using data-driven assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of safety initiatives and inform future improvements.
Where This Applies
- Transportation
- The transportation industry has the opportunity to embrace innovation and incorporate safety technologies to enhance the experience of cyclists and pedestrians.
- Smart Cities
- Smart city initiatives can benefit from integrating safety technologies like Blaze Laserlights into their infrastructure to promote active transportation and improve overall safety.
- Outdoor Recreation
- The outdoor recreation industry can capitalize on the growing interest in biking by offering innovative equipment and accessories that prioritize safety and improve the user experience.
