A pretty good idea aiming at reducing rear-end collisions from a California startup. Motorcycles decelerate much quicker than 4-wheel vehicles, either when you let off the throttle or brake. A new type of safety light for motorcycles that illuminates when the bike slows down, regardless of whether or not you are using the brakes. The Vololights will flash twice per second if you slow down without using the brakes, 5 times per second when braking. This system comes in addition of your stock run & brake lights lights, increasing your visibility during the day or night.
The Vololights device is comprised of two sets of LEDs built into a license plate holder that’s fitted with an accelerometer and CPU. When it senses that the motorcycle it is installed on starts slowing down, a pattern of slow or fast blinking lights goes off to get the attention of following vehicles. Many motorcycle organizations have already encouraged bikers to flash their brakes when slowing, an action that the Vololights device does automatically. It is also aimed at owners of some classic bikes and vintage motorcycles, at old scooters where the front brake isn’t even connected to the brake light.
Vectolabs, the company behind the Vololights is confident that it will conform to state and federal legal requirements for lighting, but will recommend users check their local laws. A ‘stealth mode’ turns off the system if you drive somewhere they are not allowed. Don’t rush yet to your motorcycle dealer. Vectolabs is in the middle of a Kickstarter campaign that aims to raise $50,000 to put the Vololights into production. It’ll cost you at least $69 if you want to get on the list for a kit. Learn more at Vololights.
Great Idea, so the Jerk offs in those Tuner Cars that are always seeming to be up my ass, see when I’m not playing Tag with them.
I agree. Great concept…to be copied by everybody, including the MoCo.
This is good stuff. Anything that increases visibility is a welcome development. Hopefully they won’t have to genuflect to the imperial oligarchy too much and they get this baby into production.
Roger – agreed; they should perhaps have pursued a solid patent.
It’s a great idea. I’d like to see them develop other applications besides a license plate bracket. Maybe a small clip on battery pod for the back of my helmet or a light strip to go on a backrest or tour pack?
BobS,Yup the back of the helmet one is the best method.
Cyberlight by sound off safety…everything old is new again. The state I live in required them to be amber..red flashing lights are for emergency vehicles
Manufacturers should take note.
Great idea, hope it becomes available. Until then a handful of pennies hucked over the shoulder seems to be the ultimate backoff solution.
@badams
(grin) I keep ball bearings handy-easy to drop unnoticed and they maintain a straight line behind the bike w/out going left or right. Just grab and drop. Must say I’ve only done it once or twice in all my years of riding though.
These have been around for a while actually but I like how the lights are already integrated into the frame.
BobS, get that back-of-helmet one into production and I’ll order one from ya! Bonus money if you contrive a charger that can steal current from my audio headset cord to keep it charged up on long runs.
Problem is, car manufacturers are already designing a system that causes the brake lights to flash if you’re on the anchors hard enough to make the ABS kick-in. It’s to warn those behind that there is a hard stop in progress.