LED glove “could save bikers' lives”

**Bob** · 14th April 2011, 00:11

A US inventor has come up with an idea that could save bikers lives by catching the attention of drivers.

The ‘Turn Sentinel’ is a glove, featuring Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). When activated, the lights flash in sequence – at eye level to cars – making the rider easier to see.

Inventor Anthony English said “I got tired of hearing of these accidents and the drivers that hit the bikes nearly always said the same thing, I never even saw him.” The main intention is for the lights to activate when the rider gives a hand signal to turn, but could be adapted so that a specific movement of the hand sets the lights to show – for example, the display could be turned on when approaching a junction.

Tests have shown the lights are visible up to 150 yards.

The Turn Sentinel is available on the internet, retailing at USD 48. For more information: http://www.turnsentinel.com/

**imdying** · 14th April 2011, 08:20

Good plan... make mine a strobe on the middle finger.

**Bald Eagle** · 14th April 2011, 08:34

Interesting link, flashing gloves - yes, helmet - no .nuff said.

**Paul in NZ** · 14th April 2011, 08:37

Thats a pretty nifty idea for us old blokes with pre indicator bikes...

I'd still prefer a feckin lazer beam....

**The Baron** · 14th April 2011, 09:56

Ah --- left hand only???

**p.dath** · 14th April 2011, 10:05

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. So this will do nothing for that case.

This will only make it more obvious to vehicles behind you if you are turning left (unless you plan to take your hand off the throttle to turn right). In NZ we drive on the left, and we don't have to cross the traffic usually when turning left.

So I don't think this invention is helpful in our environment.

**steve_t** · 14th April 2011, 10:21

I'd think a headlight modulator could possibly be more effective if anything

**CookMySock** · 14th April 2011, 10:59

That glove COULD save lives, if it reached down and flipped the headlight to full-beam.

**macros87** · 14th April 2011, 13:59

starts with the gloves... soon we all look like extras in that tron movie.

**george formby** · 14th April 2011, 14:52

I've often thought blinking LED's would be very good at helping us being noticed. An on/off/on light catches the eye better than a static one, a couple of those little blue things on each indicator blinking alternately would, to my mind, be effective.
Cheap, small & full of potential but currently illegal I think.

**Edbear** · 14th April 2011, 14:53

I have five lights facing forward, including main, 2 x driving lights and 2 x amber running lights. I'm afraid if they can't see me, I've got little hope...

**CookMySock** · 14th April 2011, 15:06

Originally Posted by Edbear

I have five lights facing forward, including main, 2 x driving lights and 2 x amber running lights. I'm afraid if they can't see me, I've got little hope...

Thats coz they're all dipped, lol.

**scracha** · 14th April 2011, 18:23

Originally Posted by george formby

I've often thought blinking LED's would be very good at helping us being noticed. An on/off/on light catches the eye better than a static one, a couple of those little blue things on each indicator blinking alternately would, to my mind, be effective.
Cheap, small & full of potential but currently illegal I think.

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.