Road Safety

A lot of bicycle commuters use so-called clipless pedals, as do many mountain bikers who make their way along dark streets when coming back from evening rides. The dual-color LED Arclight Pro Clipless Pedals are made for just such folks.

Honda has patented a new type of airbag system for motorcycles, which would rapidly inflate in a crash or fall situation, wrap around the rider's torso in a great big hug, and detach from the bike to protect the rider when the two are separated.

Devices such as lights, bells and smartphone holders all compete for space on a typical bike's handlebars. The RydeSafe light is designed to free up some of that real estate, by moving the headlight down to the head tube.

Most bike lights shine primarily forward or backward, with some side visibility thrown in. The Orb MKII, on the other hand, is specifically designed to make cyclists more visible from the sides … and it takes the form of a usable water bottle.

Back in 2015 we told you about Cycliq's Fly12, a combination dashcam and headlight for cyclists. Well, there's now a much smaller, lighter and sharper-shooting model available, known as the Fly12 Sport.

When crossing the road in front of a car, pedestrians should make eye contact with the driver, to make sure they've been seen. However, what if the car has no driver? New research suggests that the vehicle should then have eyes of its own.

In most bike light systems, there's a headlight in front, along with a tail light, brake light and/or turn indicators in the rear. The modular Lumos Firefly setup takes a more versatile approach, as each light can be programmed to serve any function.

Motorists see a lot of lights on busy nighttime roads, so it's possible that a bicycle's tail light may not stand out as anything special. The Flock Light is claimed to address that problem, by illuminating the rider's legs as they pedal.

While bike helmets do provide a great deal of protection, it's still possible to sustain a head injury when wearing one. This fact prompted two Swedish companies to develop an airbag-equipped helmet, which could make a big difference in an accident.

If a motorist just sees a red light up ahead, they might not realize it's a bike's tail light – at least, not at first. The VIS LightPool Taillight is designed to address that problem, by alternately shining down along with outwards.

Amongst the risks faced by urban cyclists is the possibility of being struck from behind by an automobile. The Cobra ebike is designed to reduce that risk, with a rearview camera system that warns of impending impacts.

We've seen bike helmets that fold up for storage and transit, plus ones that are equipped with lights. The Fend Super, however, is one of the first to combine both features in one helmet.