Automatic turn signals for bicyclists.

This in from Chris Eacock of Tower Velo:

http://www.gizmag.com/safe-turn-bicycle-indicator/8686/

January 22, 2008 Environmental and health factors have been a catalyst for
increased numbers of cyclists in metropolitan cities with bike sales exceeding
that of cars in places like Australia in recent times. With more recreational
and commuter cyclists sharing the roads with automobiles it follows that rider
safety - and technology that enhances it - is more important than ever. The Safe
Turn Indicator is a small, portable, automatic bicycle light indicator for your
glove or wrist that alerts drivers and other cyclist that you are about to turn.

The compact (40 mm/1.6 in) and lightweight (19g/0.67oz) Safe Turn consists of
three LEDs that flash in a similar fashion to a vehicle/motorbike indicator and
emit the same orange light. Using an internal tilt switch to detect the change
in angle rather than motion-detection, the product differentiates itself from
other indicators on the market by virtue of its ability to automatically switch
on when an arm is raised to execute a normal hand signal for turning and remain
flashing until the arm drops back down.

The convenience of automatic functioning is undeniable but the obvious pitfall
is the possibility of the device turning on when you scratch your nose or reach
for your drink bottle. To circumvent this problem the inventors have built-in
several functions to the Safe Turn's custom chip to avoid unwanted blinking.
These include an electronic 'Delayed Start' feature that only allows the device
to start blinking when it is in position for more than 200 milliseconds,
therefore minimizing the likelihood of blinking due to vibration caused by bumps
in the road or momentary changes in hand position.

There's also a mechanical user-adjustment consisting of a self-locking mechanism
inside the base of the device that can be changed at 15 degree intervals to
accommodate individual riding styles and handlebar types. A "Delayed Off"
feature means it doesn't not automatically switch off when you are in the middle
of turning and drop your arm. Instead, it will keep blinking for 1 second to
allow all cars to see it. Users can also manually switch the indicator off by
pressing the orange top so that it wont blink in any position.

Designed to be visible from a wide range of angles, the LEDs have in-built
water-clear lenses to direct the light beams which can be seen from up to 800
metres distance or more. A light-dispersing grid is incorporated into the top
cover which also has a high profile so that it is still visible when viewed
side-on. The LEDs have a very long life (100,000 hours of continuous lighting)
which effectively means that they should never burn out and the two A76
batteries that power the device should provide about 2 years for that average
day commuter according to Safe Turn.

To cope with the elements Safe Turn is water-resistant - though not water-proof
- with rubber seals protecting the unit from spray but not complete submersion
or constant heavy rain.

The Indicator can be used on either hand and attached to the wristband provided
with the device or on to a bicycle glove. Retailing for AUD$19.95 (around USD$17
at time of publication), the Safe Turn Indicator is available in Australia,
Japan and online. The Melbourne-based (a city of around three-million people
that saw 268 serious and seven fatal bicycle accidents - 57% of which were
caused by collision with a vehicle - in 2005 alone) creators have a patent
pending and are currently looking for an overseas distributor to take the
product worldwide.

To learn more visit the Safe Turn site.

http://safeturn.com/

Bicycle Safety

A message from League Cycling Instructor (LCI) Louise Colbert-Mar:

Hi everyone.

I wanted to let you know that I am offering a Road I, bicycle safety course in both February and March.

I have one set up already for 2 Saturdays - February 9 and February 16 from 9am to 1-2pm (with lunch). There are a few women whom I rode with in a group called WOW who would like to upgrade their skills to be able to help any new people who what to ride with them.

On the weekend of March 14-16, I will have another class, all on that one weekend. Probably Friday night and Saturday morning. It really doesn't matter how many people are in the class. My class was 4 students (Nick was one). The recent class I helped teach in Madera was 14 students.

Road 1 is a 9-hour class usually over 2-3 days. I like 2 days myself. There is a book, a classroom component, a parking lot emergency skills and 5-miile road tests. Passing grade is 85, I believe on everything. Some people only take the Road 1 course - it's for all levels of cyclists, but primarily beginning.

Let me know if you'd like to take the class (either session). Family members and friends welcome! The cost is 20.00, mainly for the book.

Louise

Coalition Monthly Meeting

The Fresno County Bicycle Coalition will hold is January 2008 meeting on Thursday, January 17th, 2008.

We will be on the south side of Shaw, along the frontage road at 9th St. There is plenty of parking in the front along the frontage road. The building is the one furthest to the west, along 9th St. Enter through a gate next to the street. If the gate is locked call Ed: 559-892-8996.

There is a kitchen with microwave, fridge, bottled water, etc., so bring your dinner (or sometimes we order pizza). RSVP through Upcoming, or just show up. We're looking forward to seeing you!

Evolution of a Bike Lane

Ever wondered how the bike-lane paint gets onto the pavement? The Fresno County Bicycle Coalition (FCBC) and the City of Fresno's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) work tirelessly to shepherd these projects through the bureaucratic process. Over a period of time that can range from three to five years, the following needs to take place:

• Need for bike lane determined by citizen/group
• Citizen/group contacts city/county Public Works Department
• Citizen/group convinces city/county that bike lane is needed
• Feasibility and traffic and parking impact studies are completed
• Bike lane entered into Bicycle Transportation Plan project list
• City/county engineers do preliminary design to develop cost estimate
• Funding for plan is sought - city/county, state, and federal sources
• Funding is obtained
• Required environmental studies completed
• Final engineering design plans and striping plans completed
• Contractor selected
• Bike lane is constructed or installed

Do you know of a bike lane or other bike project that needs to be worked on? Attend our next FCBC meeting, leave a comment, or contact a board member.

Thanks to FCBC board members Nick Paladino and Louise Colbert-Mar for this report.

Style Over Speed

I was browsing the Tower Velo Blog this morning when I followed a link to the Copenhagen Girls on Bikes Blog, where I read the following quote:

"And remember, if you don't make bike commuting look effortless, you may be doing it wrong. Style over speed."

If you don't commute yet, it's time to start. One place to begin is by poring over the excellent Bikeway Map available on the Fresno COG Web site. If you do commute, tell me what your commute route is. I'd like to start a collection of bicycle commuter-approved routes that might inspire others!

Illuminated bicyclists

Illuminated bicyclists: AB478 by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk, D-Davis, requires bicyclists riding after dark on sidewalks in cities where bikes are permitted there to have functioning lights and reflectors. A previous law already required lights and reflectors for bicycles operating on streets after dark. The new law also allows bicyclists to wear reflectors on their shoes or ankles in lieu of having reflectors on the pedals.

Time to stock up on reflector ankle straps!!!

(sent courtesy of tower velo, fresno)