The first automobile crash in the United States is said to have occurred in 1896, in New York City, when a car crashed into - surprise, surprise - a bicyclist. Even today, despite the introduction of reflective gear, helmets and lights, cyclists are still very vulnerable, particularly at night. Enter LightLane – a clever concept that uses lasers to project a virtual bike lane on the ground behind and around the cyclist.
Conceived by Alex Tee and Evan Gant from design firm Altitude Inc., LightLane will mount under the seat and project up to 10 feet behind the rider, giving approaching drivers a clear visual guide to ensure they stay well clear of cyclists at night.
A prototype is in development and the designers hope to have a product ready for Interbike in October.