Comments on: BrightBike Project

By: Brad

Brad — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 13:27:06 +0000

Reflective materials require you to already be in the headlights of an oncoming car, before they light up. I have always prefered active lighting over passive. If my lights are battery powered and can be seen from great distances, I think this is a better bet than just using reflective materials. When I’m out there on the roads, I want to allow the drivers as much time to react as possible. I do beleive the use of reflective materials in addition to an active light is even better yet. We have strips of reflective tape on our bikes, plus we use FlashBaks and other lights as well. Ride safe and be seen!

By: Ping Report

Ping Report — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:05:10 +0000

[...] Cycleroad BikeCommuters Dooby Brain [...]

By: Leo Horishny

Leo Horishny — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 03:59:35 +0000

Interesting. I’ve been thinking and writing to someone bicycle savvy recently wondering why it was that there wasn’t a manufacturer who has come up with a bike already painted in reflective paint. As a passive measure, it would help the idjits who insist on riding at night w/o lights and in dark clothing and such, but even if it was just offered on models geared[sic] towards the serious commuter types, I think it
could be an attractive option.
As for visible garb, I ride with my visibility jacket I use on my motorcycle, even if it doesn’t fit me well in cycle garb, http://www.icu-ucme.com, and I am considering getting a pair of glo-gloves,
once I saw their website, http://www.glo-glov.com.

Every little bit helps.

Leo H.
Sun Valley, NV

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:51:40 +0000

These look good, but in the videos the riders are all wearing dark clothing.

The most effective step towards being visible is a high-vis top – there is more area; it is person-shaped; it is higher up and so more visible; it is much easier and quicker to put on.

Having a visible bike is great, but it’d be good to see the riders as well.

By: Raiyn

Raiyn — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:30:09 +0000

That's a LOT of tape. Personally I still prefer my "Stealth" Reflector method, but that's me.

By: peteathome

peteathome — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:05:01 +0000

Just as long as they don’t make people think this is a substitute for a headlight . A headlight is absolutely required to ensure visibility to cars ahead and to the side of you.

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:24:09 +0000

Say what? Folks put reflective tape on their bikes all the time…how is this really any different?

I’ll take a little extra nighttime safety over consumer concerns anytime. I do exactly half of my commuting in pitch-black, late-night conditions through some sketchy areas, and have invested many dollars in DOT “conspicuity tape” for just about every bike I own. This BrightBike kit is probably worth it for those people who ride in similar conditions.

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:55:20 +0000

Hum… just more uglification! Why? It’s called useless consumerizm and it’s leaking into the bicycle culture. why is this bad you ask? Because the bicycle is the last stronghold of true completely green transportation and society won’t rest until it consumerizes us as well!
Just say no folks… remember the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse and RECYCLE.

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:12:30 +0000

I like the reflective logo idea…

I also wonder about the adhesive on the vinyl in these kits — reflective tape has some pretty tenacious adhesive, but it doesn’t like sharp bends. I’ve had tape peel up on the edges when wrapping around skinny tubes, and that just becomes a “grime collector”. And removing the tape when it’s time for a repaint is a NIGHTMARE!

By: Mike Myers

Mike Myers — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:35:50 +0000

I like it. However, I think some smart bike manufacturer could do something similar by making reflective logos standard on their commuting bikes. With all the logos and stickers they put on anyway, why not make those out of reflective material?