Citi Bikes to start projecting lasers onto the streets

[bobco85]

While at first I thought it was bizarre, I actually think the concept is pretty neat. Projecting an image or any sort of light about 20 feet ahead on the pavement helps to increase the visibility of the cyclist in the same way that one can identify a car approaching on a cross-street by the pavement becoming more illuminated as it approaches.

I think it will work the best for cross-street traffic. My only concern would be the fact that you have a laser light potentially blinding someone when cresting a hill (not a big deal in NYC, but they do exist there) or if the cyclist gets road rage and picks up their front wheel on purpose to blind someone (it’s NYC, someone’s going to figure this out). Either way, I think there are going to be some interesting stories involving these laser lights.

[Tim Kelley]

From seeing it person, it’s not nearly as bright or obvious as the video shows. I wouldn’t hold your breath on it coming to Capital Bikeshare any time soon.

[Crickey7]

If I were a driver and saw something skittering on the ground, I would not mentally associate that with a cyclist following 20 feet behind. On the other hand, bike-mounted lasers!

[EasyRider]

I’m holding out for a device that projects custom text/images behind me, around curves, at a distance of up to 300 feet.

[TwoWheelsDC]

I was in London a couple of weeks go and got a SantanderBike with this system mounted. It was neat, but I didn’t feel that it enhanced my safety in any way…It’s just not bright enough. In all but the darkest sections of street, it was barely visible (yes, I was riding at night…). I’d rather have a rear mounted system that projects laser lanes, but even then I think brightness would be an issue.

Here’s what it looks like on about the darkest section of pavement I found in London:

[chris_s]

If you’re going to mount a laser on my bike I better be able to blow up a black BMW or else what’s the point?

[rcannon100]

@chris_s 154438 wrote:

If you’re going to mount a laser on my bike I better be able to blow up a black BMW or else what’s the point?

Jump the Shark!

[mstone]

I’d worry about idiot drivers staring at the laser show and not noticing the cyclist

[Author]

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