Glowing helmet-band?

[Andrew Reddaway]

For night cycling visibility, I'm thinking the best combination of
eye-catching and low-hassle would be a glowing "strip" around the edge
of my helmet, say 2cm wide (in addition to the mandatory bike lights
and reflectors). Sure, it's probably also the daggiest option, but
let's ignore that for now...

This would be visible from all angles, at most drivers' eye level over
bonnets and through car windows. What do you ppl reckon? Does
something like this exist? The closest I can find:

http://shopping.rednova.com/catalog/product_16839_Nite_Dawg.html
Only problems are it's designed for a dog , not quite long enough to
go around the helmet, and a tad heavy at about 500g, being a heavy duty
collar...

http://www.theledlight.com/LED-Tailight.html
http://lib1.store.vip.sc5.yahoo.com/lib/zbattery/ntl-03-10-lg.jpg
A thin band, but otherwise looks good!

REI has both of these - I've ordered from them once before, no probs.
http://www.rei.com/online/store/Search?storeId=8000&langId=-1&catalogId=
40000008000&brandQuery=Nite+Ize&showPictures=1&

 

[Laurence Dodd]

I would see my local bike group to buy some adhesive reflector tape for your
helmet (silver, red), and strips of light weight yellow plastic reflector
material that can be glued with rubber glue to your back pack (I got mine
from BQ in Brisbane in 1999). Put some some of the red reflector on your
backpack as well if it has a flat vertical surface at the back. I would
also buy some really good bike lights. Eg. Daylight Red LED, and Stadium
3.

"Andrew Reddaway" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> For night cycling visibility, I'm thinking the best combination of
> eye-catching and low-hassle would be a glowing "strip" around the edge
> of my helmet, say 2cm wide (in addition to the mandatory bike lights
> and reflectors). Sure, it's probably also the daggiest option, but
> let's ignore that for now...
>
> This would be visible from all angles, at most drivers' eye level over
> bonnets and through car windows. What do you ppl reckon? Does
> something like this exist? The closest I can find:
>
> http://shopping.rednova.com/catalog/product_16839_Nite_Dawg.html
> Only problems are it's designed for a dog , not quite long enough to
> go around the helmet, and a tad heavy at about 500g, being a heavy duty
> collar...
>
> http://www.theledlight.com/LED-Tailight.html
> http://lib1.store.vip.sc5.yahoo.com/lib/zbattery/ntl-03-10-lg.jpg
> A thin band, but otherwise looks good!
>
> REI has both of these - I've ordered from them once before, no probs.
> http://www.rei.com/online/store/Search?storeId=8000&langId=-1&catalogId=
> 40000008000&brandQuery=Nite+Ize&showPictures=1&

 

[Gags]

"Laurence Dodd" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I would see my local bike group to buy some adhesive reflector tape for
your
> helmet (silver, red), and strips of light weight yellow plastic reflector
> material that can be glued with rubber glue to your back pack (I got mine
> from BQ in Brisbane in 1999). Put some some of the red reflector on your
> backpack as well if it has a flat vertical surface at the back. I would
> also buy some really good bike lights. Eg. Daylight Red LED, and Stadium
> 3.
>
> "Andrew Reddaway" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > For night cycling visibility, I'm thinking the best combination of
> > eye-catching and low-hassle would be a glowing "strip" around the edge
> > of my helmet, say 2cm wide (in addition to the mandatory bike lights
> > and reflectors). Sure, it's probably also the daggiest option, but
> > let's ignore that for now...
> >
> > This would be visible from all angles, at most drivers' eye level over
> > bonnets and through car windows. What do you ppl reckon? Does
> > something like this exist? The closest I can find:
> >
If you are after some reflective tape, look up a place that makes road signs
and then buy some off-cuts. I did this at a place in Queanbeyan (don't
think that is how you spell it) which is on the NSW/ACT border and then did
up my hard-shell backpack so that now has pretty good visibility at night
(see link).

http://www.users.tpg.com.au/adsl4xun/Backpack.htm

I also put a strip of the orange reflective tape on each of the crank arms
of my commuter for a bit of added visibility from the side as I don't have
any of the orange reflectors in the spokes (I don't think that many people
leave these on even though I think that they have to be provided on new
bikes by law).

Ride On,

Gags

 

[Evan]

Laurence Dodd wrote:
> also buy some really good bike lights. Eg. Daylight Red LED, and Stadium
> 3.
>
Maybe the stadium 3, at $1200, might be a bit too expensive. I've got a
customised $45 Netti reflective vest. Very visible.

 

[Andrew Reddaway]

Laurence Dodd wrote:

> I would see my local bike group to buy some adhesive reflector tape
> for your helmet (silver, red), and strips of light weight yellow
> plastic reflector material that can be glued with rubber glue to your
> back pack (I got mine from BQ in Brisbane in 1999). Put some some of
> the red reflector on your backpack as well if it has a flat vertical
> surface at the back. I would also buy some really good bike lights.
> Eg. Daylight Red LED, and Stadium 3.

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I've got good lights (lumicycle total 30w) and 2 multi-LED red blinkies
at the back. And I've got some reflective tape on my helmet and bike.
But I still may not be visible to merging cars, if their headlights
aren't shining on me directly and my lights are blocked by other cars.
That's why I'm thinking of a *glowing* helmet band, rather than just
reflecting.

 

[HughMann]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

But I still may not be visible to merging cars, if their headlights
aren't shining on me directly and my lights are blocked by other cars.
That's why I'm thinking of a *glowing* helmet band, rather than just
reflecting.

Look in the phone book for specialist Safety shops. Local one here has a range of reflective materials. I bought a metre of 50mm wide highly reflective material for $6.50.
Made some anklets with it by cutting to length and sewing on velcro. Wrap around the ankles and Bingo! The movement of the pedalling legs attracts attention OK. For the helmet why not try one of those high power LED lights. The X-Lite Aqua white is tiny, throws out an amazing light that in total dark shines on street signs 600m away and the batteries are claimed lasts 90 hours on slow blink. Cost $20 at LBS. Batteries are 3 volt coin style. Try this link, havent used shop but prices look good.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~hrtech/Web_store/Batteries/batteries.html

Dont get obsessed thou. There are some hopeless drivers out there. If they can prang into a police car with lights flashing what hope is there.
Just stay alert and dont assume that you have neen seen.
Heavily tinted windows make it difficult to see if you have been noticed.

Cheers
Hugh

 

[hippy]

"Andrew Reddaway" <[email protected]
> For night cycling visibility, I'm thinking the best combination of
> eye-catching and low-hassle would be a glowing "strip" around the edge
> of my helmet, say 2cm wide (in addition to the mandatory bike lights
> and reflectors). Sure, it's probably also the daggiest option, but
> let's ignore that for now...

cfsmtb has something like this. It's a flat strap kinda
thing that cycles colours I think? Or maybe it just
flashed?

I think it's one of the "Nite Ize Marker Bands",
your last link. If one would match the contour
of my helmet I'd love one to light up the back
of my bonce..

hippy

 

[hippy]

"HughMann" <[email protected]
> The X-Lite Aqua white is tiny, throws out an amazing
> light that in total dark shines on street signs 600m away and the
> batteries are claimed lasts 90 hours on slow blink. Cost $20 at LBS.
> Batteries are 3 volt coin style. Try this link, havent used shop but
> prices look good.
> http://members.iinet.net.au/~hrtech/Web_store/Batteries/batteries.html

I used to use one of these but I stopped because they just
don't throw enough light. LEDs are very directional too, so
if the driver isn't looking right at the single LED on this unit,
they will not have anywhere near the same amount of light
in their face. Yeah, I'm over X-Lites..

I now use one of these S-Sun lights:
http://www.s-sun.com.tw/p1.htm

Advantages over the X-Lite:
- uses standard AAA batts (x3) where X-Lite
uses expensive watch batteries.
- 3 LEDS with a lens to spread their love around
- Doesn't use the elastic strap mount
- I'm _sure_ they are brighter

Disadvantages:
- larger
- heavier
- can't be mounted 'almost anywhere' like the X-Lite

hippy

 

[tony f]

"Andrew Reddaway" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> For night cycling visibility, I'm thinking the best combination of
> eye-catching and low-hassle would be a glowing "strip" around the edge
> of my helmet, say 2cm wide (in addition to the mandatory bike lights
> and reflectors). Sure, it's probably also the daggiest option, but
> let's ignore that for now...

Electroluminescent wire.

Neon look, flexible, come in a variety of colours. Available at Jaycar on
closeout special at the moment (eg, $10 for the personal (wearable)
version - 1.5m long, powered by 2AA batteries and an inverter, cool colours,
flash or steady mode, gets noticed wrapped around a helmet) , or many places
online have it http://www.beingseen.com/ for example - they also have the
flexible sheets.

Tony F
who may have 1 or 6 personal EL cables

 

[Andrew Reddaway]

tony f wrote:

> Electroluminescent wire.
>
> Neon look, flexible, come in a variety of colours. Available at
> Jaycar on closeout special at the moment (eg, $10 for the personal
> (wearable) version - 1.5m long, powered by 2AA batteries and an
> inverter, cool colours, flash or steady mode, gets noticed wrapped
> around a helmet) , or many places online have it
> http://www.beingseen.com/ for example - they also have the flexible
> sheets.
>
> Tony F
> who may have 1 or 6 personal EL cables

Cool! I knew there must be something out there that would do what I
want... I'll drop into Jaycar when I can - thanks tony f.

 

[Andrew Reddaway]

Andrew Reddaway wrote:

> tony f wrote:
>
> > Electroluminescent wire.
> >
> > Neon look, flexible, come in a variety of colours. Available at
> > Jaycar on closeout special at the moment (eg, $10 for the personal
> > (wearable) version - 1.5m long, powered by 2AA batteries and an
> > inverter, cool colours, flash or steady mode, gets noticed wrapped
> > around a helmet) , or many places online have it
> > http://www.beingseen.com/ for example - they also have the
> > flexible sheets.
> >
> > Tony F
> > who may have 1 or 6 personal EL cables
>
> Cool! I knew there must be something out there that would do what I
> want... I'll drop into Jaycar when I can - thanks tony f.

I got the $10 EL wire from Jaycar - works VERY well. The 1m length
goes around the edge of my helmet and right over the top. It's thin
but still very visible. I've attached 2 AA batteries in their little
plastic case with rubber bands at the back of the helmet, and the wire
with clear tape. 2 AA batteries are claimed to last 45 hours. The
orange colour matches my helmet - noice.

Well, if you see me on the roads at night, you'll know it's me now

 

[cfsmtb]

cfsmtb has something like this. It's a flat strap kinda
thing that cycles colours I think? Or maybe it just
flashed?

hippy

This what I've got:
http://www.bicyclestore.com.au/item-detail/69/916/general-accessories/lights/basta-safety-light-band/

Avaliable from most LBS's - purchased mine from http://www.onecer.net/abbotsfordcycles/ Approx $29

 

[kingsley]

On Thu, 28 Oct 2004 10:11:09 +0000, Andrew Reddaway wrote:

> This would be visible from all angles, at most drivers' eye level over
> bonnets and through car windows. What do you ppl reckon? Does
> something like this exist?

There's that EL-Wire(?) Flourescent flexible tubing
that glows with a small voltage. IIRC you can even
get them to flash. You might be able to loop it a few
times around the circumference of your helmet.

Jaycar in Sydney (York St.) has a shitload of these
in various colours hanging up on the back wall of the
shop. I expect most electronic shops would carry them,
particularly ones that carry case-modding gear like
neon strips etc.

-kt

 

[kingsley]

On Thu, 28 Oct 2004 13:16:15 +0000, Andrew Reddaway wrote:

> I've got good lights (lumicycle total 30w) and 2 multi-LED red blinkies
> at the back. And I've got some reflective tape on my helmet and bike.
> But I still may not be visible to merging cars, if their headlights
> aren't shining on me directly and my lights are blocked by other cars.
> That's why I'm thinking of a *glowing* helmet band, rather than just
> reflecting.

BTW: I've got a pair of those Knog bar-end lights.
I've only used them once at night, but on the ride
home some retard yelled out of his car "YES! WE CAN SEE YOU".
So... they must work, I had them running in flash mode.

-kt

 

[hippy]

"kingsley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> BTW: I've got a pair of those Knog bar-end lights.
> I've only used them once at night, but on the ride
> home some retard yelled out of his car "YES! WE CAN SEE YOU".
> So... they must work, I had them running in flash mode.

Are these the ones that fit into the ends of the drops
and flash red rearwards? I think they are cool.
Widest part of the bike (except my ****) and not
obscured by bag/saddle/guards/aforementioned ****.

hippy

 

[kingsley]

On Wed, 03 Nov 2004 22:32:37 +0000, hippy wrote:

>> BTW: I've got a pair of those Knog bar-end lights.
>
> Are these the ones that fit into the ends of the drops
> and flash red rearwards? I think they are cool.
> Widest part of the bike (except my ****) and not
> obscured by bag/saddle/guards/aforementioned ****.

Yes and no - same sort of thing, 'cept they are two-sided
they flash (or steady) white front and red rear. So they're
really only suited to straight MTB-esque 'bars.

They are kind of chunky, but I like them - on the
commuter anyway.

-kt

PS> Can you please take a new copy of the FAQ for your
mirror.

 

[hippy]

"kingsley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> PS> Can you please take a new copy of the FAQ for your
> mirror.

I've sent myself a reminder.. I'll try to get it done asap.

hippy

 

[ledlight02]

Originally Posted by Andrew Reddaway .

tony f wrote:

> Electroluminescent wire.
>
> Neon look, flexible, come in a variety of colours. Available at
> Jaycar on closeout special at the moment (eg, $10 for the personal
> (wearable) version - 1.5m long, powered by 2AA batteries and an
> inverter, cool colours, flash or steady mode, gets noticed wrapped
> around a helmet) , or many places online have it
> http://www.beingseen.com/ for example - they also have the flexible
> sheets.
>
> Tony F
> who may have 1 or 6 personal EL cables

Cool! I knew there must be something out there that would do what I
want... I'll drop into Jaycar when I can - thanks tony f.

Originally Posted by cfsmtb .

Quote:
Originally Posted by hippy
cfsmtb has something like this. It's a flat strap kinda
thing that cycles colours I think? Or maybe it just
flashed?

hippy
This what I've got:
http://www.bicyclestore.com.au/item-...ty-light-band/

Avaliable from most LBS's - purchased mine from http://www.onecer.net/abbotsfordcycles/ Approx $29

Thanks for your information ... I meet you soon as possible ..[SIZE=11.0pt]I read this thread right before i headed out to go to china.... thanks again.. [/SIZE]

 

[pschnied]

Got you covered

Something like this?



Lot's of other media here as well.
www.elhelmet.com