(Maksym Kaharlyk / Shutterstock.com)
As cycling in cities becomes increasingly popular, urban areas are witnessing somewhat of a two-wheeled revolution. Going for a bike ride in the city can be an awesome experience, but sharing the roads with so many other vehicles and people has certain drawbacks in terms of safety and security. Thankfully there are plenty of creative bike lovers out there who've been busy inventing gadgets and coming up with initiatives to keep both you and your bike safe on the city streets. Here are seven of the best out there that will revolutionize the way you ride.
1. BRAINY BIKE LIGHTS
WHAT: A genius form of bike light that uses cutting-edge technology to make urban cycling safer.
HOW IT WORKS: Illuminated symbols in the shape of a bicycle are used at the front and the rear of the bike, giving cyclists the ability to stand out during the day or night. Scientific evidence has proven that drivers are able to identify cyclists quicker and more accurately when they have a Brainy Bike Light fixed to their bike rather than standard lights.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE: The super user-friendly lights are effective from up to 20m away, even at acute angles.
2. ZACKEES
WHAT: Cycling gloves with fitted signal arrows that let riders warn drivers before making turns.
HOW IT WORKS: Arrow lights on the easy-to-use gloves are activated by touching small metal plates on the thumb and index finger together. They are equipped with sensors that detect light levels, and the brightness of the LED lights are adjusted accordingly.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE: Zackees can also be used by others sharing the urban street space such as runners, rollerbladers and skateboarders.
3. BIKE INDEX
WHAT: A benefit corporation founded to help prevent bike theft in urban areas.
HOW IT WORKS: Each bike's unique serial number is registered on a searchable database, known as the Bike Index. With help from various bike organizations, this index is then used to track and locate stolen bikes and return them to the rightful owner.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE: A growing number of bike shops are joining the movement in a bid to prevent bike theft on a national level.
4. HOVDING
WHAT: An invisible bike helmet in the form of a collar worn around the neck that contains an airbag which inflates only if there is an accident.
HOW IT WORKS: The "helmet" is worn around the neck and contains an airbag that is designed like a hood that only inflates if there is an accident. The inflated airbag covers an area much larger than a traditional cycle helmet and provides a soft shock absorption when activated.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE: Hovding comes in all shapes and sizes and there are even some stylish extra shells available so you can look cool while you ride.
5. CARDBOARD TECHNOLOGIES
WHAT: An eco-friendly bicycle made of recycled cardboard, recycled car tire rubber and other organic raw materials.
HOW IT WORKS: The innovative bike can hold up to 24 times its own weight (20lbs) and is both water and fire proof, making it a great way to get about a busy city.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE: Cardboard Technologies hopes to take advantage of rebates for using "green" materials to bring down production costs and allow for the bikes to be given away for free in poorer countries in Asia and Africa.
6. LOUD BICYCLE
WHAT: An upgraded version of a bicycle bell that sounds just like a car horn which gives cyclists a voice on busy city streets.
HOW IT WORKS: The horn is easily attached to either handlebar and is activated by pressing with the thumb. Research shows that drivers react to car horns before they even look so with Loud Bicycle, cyclists have the ability to warn drivers of their presence even if they can't be seen.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE: Stay up-to-date with the latest cycling safety news and product updates with the Loud Bicycle blog.
7. FLY6
WHAT: A flashing rear light fitted with a video camera that makes riders more visible while recording what happens behind them.
HOW IT WORKS: The waterproof Fly6 camera holds two hours of footage and automatically overwrites old files on a loop, and if there is an accident, a switch inside the unit shuts the camera down so that data can't be overwritten.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE: As well as being used to improve road safety, the footage captured on this awesome camera gadget is a great way for cyclists to record memorable rides.
