LED glove “could save bikers' lives”

[Neon]

So you could in theory put a white flashing forward facing LED light on each mirror and it be legal? Because that to me sounds like a bloody good solution (in certain circumstances).

True about those flashing vests - red flashing lights facing forward = illegal, although they do have a backward facing only product.

[Neon]

I would disagree. Perheaps not to helpm been seen ON the road. But, a few weeks back I crashed my bike and went off the road. I fell down a ditch that was 3m lower than the road level. I broke my neck and back and could not move. For 5 hours I was there. As cars drove past, as did the ambulance and fire department with lights and sirens. I Could see them, no one could see me. Until finally someone in the firetruck saw the led light from my phone down in the long grass. And they found me.

So... I would buy some of these gloves in an instant.. I would have been found much sooner if I had something on my to catch attention. No, I don't plan to EVER crash again, but somethings are just a little beyond our control, and we have to take what happens occasionally.

I know if it wasn't for the screen on my phone, it was going to be a very long night, and I am unsure if I would have had the strength to make it.

YAY for firemen! hehe - my heros!

Give me a flashing LED glove any day.

Your accident Katiepie has to be THE textbook case for a cheap GPS emergency locator type transmitter wired to the bike (do these even exist?). With some smarts built in it could detect tip-over and impact so if the rider is unconscious the signal goes out anyway. Yes, in your case flashing gloves would have made a difference but a flare gun would have been even better! I know the area where you came off and I was amazed and thankful that you had cellphone coverage at all... an incredible story for sure

Best wishes for your recovery

[swbarnett]

My immediate reaction when I saw the thread title was:

"Oh fuck, not another fucken one."

The "one" to which I refer, of course, being yet another device that someone will attempt to foist on us under the guise that it's our fault drivers don't see us."

I never expect to be seen anyway so why the fuck should I go out of my way to look like a christmas tree.

No hi-vis vest or flashing glove could've saved my bike today from the prick that backed in to it!

[Edbear]

Never - so it would be a bloody waste of time for me. And I don't know of anyone being rear ended in the situation the glove man illustrates.

I've a issue with many LED turn signals - they are hard to see in bright sunlight rendering them worse than old-school bulbs.

I have seen a couple of bikes running additional white LED lights at the front - now these really stand out and IMO are a good idea.

Plus I am surprised after years of car-bike incidents that 'the-powers-that-be' have not made side running lights in some form compulsory for bikes. Maybe they won't make any difference.

LED running lights are now being seen, (sic), on many new cars and are a good idea if you don't have additional diving lights.

Mine has hazards, never thought of using them like that though.

I always used an indicator on when filtering, not the hazards though.

The glove idea has sparked another idea for those who wear and believe in hi vis vests.

Build into the vest a row of LEDs from the shoulder down the arm. Hi powered ones that flash like some cyclists wear on their helmets. Power them from the bike so no battery problems. The LEDs could be a selection of colours including blue and red and as the are not part of the vehicle would running them be contrary to any law or regulation?

I doubt LED's use enough power to make battery life an issue.

[kiwifruit]

If I recall correctly, the most common accident is a car pulling out from a side road in front of a motorcycle travelling straight ahead.

I bet a fair percentage of those motorcycles were indicating to turn left

[Dodgyiti]

Good idea for pre indicator bikes as Paul said. I already wear gloves with big reflective material on the knuckle part for hand signals but these would be one step better at night especially.

[swbarnett]

Had a yankee import GPX that had "hazard lights". Turn on the switch and all 4 indicators would start flashing. It was truly awesome for filtering through traffic.

My GSX has hazard lights. Drivers really think you're a cop when splitting after dark.

[scumdog]

I bet a fair percentage of those motorcycles were indicating to turn left

Yup, I bet more than one motorcyclist has been taken out 'cos they were barreling along blithely unaware their left indicator was blinking away..and a car pulled out of a side street on front of them...

[sunhuntin]

My GSX has hazard lights. Drivers really think you're a cop when splitting after dark.

my viragos got hazards as well, only use them with im in "iffy" conditions and i feel more vulnerable than normal, such as thick fog or a poorly lit tunnel. has saved my rear a few times i think.

[scumdog]

My GSX has hazard lights. Drivers really think you're a cop when splitting after dark.

Likewise my Harley.

And there really is a cop when splitting..

(OK, I lied, we don't need to split down here in Riviera of the South)

[AllanB]

My understanding was the only flashing light you can legally run are turn signals. Couple years back I was keen on getting a flashing unit for my rear brake light from the USA- the harder? longer you brake the faster the brake light flashes hopefully gaining the attention of the cars behind.

Good idea I thought.

I called LTSA and they told me it would be illegal. No flashing lights other than turn signals.

Kill-joys.

[mrmeal]

No hi-vis vest or flashing glove could've saved my bike today from the prick that backed in to it!

Ah crap! and you've been on leave too, nice way to wrap the week up. Much damage? Hopefully not bad, see you after the weekend at the grind

-Hayden

[Camshaft]

they sound dumb. led gloves. wtf.

[sinned]

Yup, I bet more than one motorcyclist has been taken out 'cos they were barreling along blithely unaware their left indicator was blinking away..and a car pulled out of a side street on front of them...

Must admit I have left the indicator on when something has distracted me and lots of riders do. The indicator warning light on the Busa is just under the line of sight to edge of the screen. The newer Harleys have a self cancelling system which is excellent and should be standard on all bikes.

My understanding was the only flashing light you can legally run are turn signals. Couple years back I was keen on getting a flashing unit for my rear brake light from the USA- the harder? longer you brake the faster the brake light flashes hopefully gaining the attention of the cars behind.

Good idea I thought.

I called LTSA and they told me it would be illegal. No flashing lights other than turn signals.

Kill-joys.

Do the lighting rules apply to the rider? If you light your body up like a christmas tree are breaking any rules???

[AllanB]

Do the lighting rules apply to the rider? If you light your body up like a christmas tree are breaking any rules???

Now that is a good point!