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# DIY Bicycle Wheel LEDs
Persistence of Vision Displays for Rave-Worthy Mobile Light Shows

By Katie Cordrey | Published 2009-01-08 | Lifestyle
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dyi-leds-persistence-of-vision-display-light-bike-wheels-spokes
References: [blog.wired](http://blog.wired.com/geekdad/2007/05/diy_bike_leds.html) & [ladyada.net](http://www.ladyada.net/make/spokepov/index.html)

You may have seen pre-made [programmable bike blades](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/radian-wingman) that can be attached to your bicycle wheels to make bright light patterns, but when some people at San Francisco’s Maker Faire got into the act with their [persistence of vision displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alba-light), DIY knowledge was set loose!

Electrical engineer Limor Fried, who goes by the screen name, “Ladyada,” put together kits and downloadable instructions so everyone can light their bikes. If you don’t need the kit, you can get free schematics, firmware and software from the Ladyada site. This is the same technology that some Obama supporters used to brighten up their [bike wheel spokes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bicycle-technology) during the presidential campaign.

I’m not sure how the lights would hold up on single track, but I have a soldering iron so maybe I’ll make some and find out.

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 5.3/10
- Popularity: 55% | Activity: 96% | Freshness: 8%
- Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women
- Primary generations: Millennial
- Top markets: Europe

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Life](https://www.trendhunter.com/life)

## Key Themes

### What's Driving This Trend

- **Persistence of Vision Displays:** The trend towards persistence of vision displays creates opportunities for DIY enthusiasts and businesses who can capitalize on the popularity of customizable LED lighting
- **DIY Technology Kits:** The rise in popularity of DIY technology kits provides opportunities for businesses to innovate and design new products that cater to this market
- **Bike Technology:** Innovations in bike technology allow for integrating new technological enhancements and building innovative transportation solutions

### Who This Affects Most

- **Electronics:** The electronics industry can benefit from the persistence of vision displays technology trend by creating and marketing new products for the DIY market
- **Cycling:** The cycling industry can capitalize on the trend of DIY bike technology by developing products and services that make it easier for customers to customize and enhance their bikes
- **LED Lighting:** With the rise of DIY LED lighting and display technology, the LED lighting industry can tap into new markets by designing new products and offering customizable options

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