Do projected bike symbols make it safer to ride a bike? #bicycleinfrastructure #urbancycling

What do you think about this? London’s bike-share includes these lights that project a little symbol on the ground in front of you. I actually have one of these for my own bike, but I was never sure if it made things safer or if it was just a gimmick.

[mileshusky]

The creator of the laser light did a study on its effectiveness I think, it really does save lives. I learned to ride on a UK public bike share system and I made sure to buy a laser light when I bought my own bike. The original aim was to show a driver when you’re in their blind spot, but I found it was really effective on shared paths with pedestrians too. People see you coming behind them and are less likely to walk out into you. I would recommend them to absolutely anyone. The only downside is the price at £75, which is extremely expensive. The technology is patented so no-one else can compete with them. I would still buy it at that price, but I’m annoyed that a lifesaving piece of technology is being kept from people to make a bit of extra money.

[PinderProductions]

It feels like a good band-aid solution for visibility at junctions and blind spots

[shoham]

Probably good for multi-use paths, to let pedestrians with earbuds in know that you (as a biker) are coming up behind them.

[zeemon]

I don't expect this to do much. I've met someone whose visibility put a christmas tree to shame and they still got hit by a car.

Don't get me wrong, being visible in traffic is absolutely necessary. Especially at night it makes sense even for pedestrians to carry some kind of light with them to make sure they can be seen.

The problem is that drivers often don't look. And no matter how much money gets put into making bikes more visible, it's all for naught if the infrastructure makes inattentive driving so easy.

[NextNate]

I have seen countless of bike lights that projects virtual bike lanes via lasers.

I think it's a gimmick.
Its little bit dangerous giving riders false sense of security.

On the other hand, it looks cool.

[jayziac]

I think it actually warns pedestrians or drivers ahead a bike is about to roll in the spot on the ground if they haven't seen it yet.

[poweroutage]

I think it’s good for people trying to merge or turn who might see the light but not the rider because they are in the blind spot.

[ent_as.in.a.tree_y]

Wouldn’t it make more sense to put it on the back? That way drivers would see it before they see you (unless there’s some law against it)

Edit: multiple people have explained this is for intersections and entering traffic, and yeah… that makes sense. I rescind my previous comment.

[grahambonner]

I've not seen this before, I do occasionally drive in London at night, seen plenty of bikes with no lights but never one of these.
As to the effectiveness, I think normal lights, orange pedal reflectors and hi vis jacket are probably more effective.

[muscleman]

I have seen a better design for this idea. It's a laser that you put onto your seatpost and project to your left. Rather than being a bike symbol, it's just a straight green/red line, simulating a bike lane. It's an intuitive way to inform a driver that this is how much space you need for them to pass safely.

It's a clever idea that I think will be used in really urban areas, but I think this type of thing would just lead to more trolls and asswipes fucking with you out in the country or suburban areas.

[justinstackhouse]

Does it help alert walkers you are passing on side paths?

[BrianRPaterson]

Looks like a neat idea until you check the price - 125 quid!

[AgentAlmost]

It does something alright. It shows how shaky some people are at the handlebars.

[shamendra.sakthivel]

Wow nice background, what city is it?

[rosemarymcbride]

i remember once seeing bike lights the projected a lasers that put the bike in the center of a box the size of your average car

[ParkingiAutokarowe]

Well in Europe we have this…but red for the back of a bike

[adrian_zombturtle]

Now the whole world can me my bike lane :D

[catlerbatty]

I need bike paths vs I make my own paths

[garyseckel]

Sounds potentially increasing of one's pedaling safety!

[TheRickurb]

Shouldn’t it be projected behind you? Maybe in front and behind?