As the previous story shows, cyclist road safety is a hot topic at the moment. So it should come as no surprise that people are trying to cash in on it.
This BBC story tells of an apparently “hi-tech” solution “invented” by a woman from a company called Blaze. It isn’t hi-tech at all – not unless you class everything incorporating a laser as hi-tech.
What it does is project a cycle symbol on to the road ahead. That is, if it’s adjusted properly. If it isn’t, the cycle symbol will be projected into the air, or anywhere else the Neanderthal on the bike chooses to aim it. There’s also no mention of what happens to the projected light when it hits a puddle or bus shelter. We scientists would know that as something called “reflection”, and God only knows what is likely to happen if a bright green laser is reflected off a bus shelter into the eyes of a passing motorist, or off a puddle into the eyes of a pedestrian.
The spreading infestation on our roads of people on two wheels who only think of themselves means that badly adjusted hi-brightness white LED lamps is already a growing safety issue. A badly adjusted laser is going to be a hundred times worse.
Quite how the people responsible for this dangerous toy think it will improve safety is anyone’s guess. Because when some jackass ignores every safety guideline going and tries to cut up an 18-wheeler attempting to turn left on the inside, I can’t imagine having a laser torch will make much difference to the outcome. And if you’re in an HGV (or any other vehicle) and you see ten of these things flashing away at you from all angles on the road, confusion is the most likely outcome – not safety.
The About page on the Blaze website says it all:
Cycling is about independence. But it’s also about community. It’s different things to different people. A dawn riser racing to work to get her adrenaline fix. A student saving up for a weekend gig. A nature-lover doing his bit for the environment.
Currently, urban cycling favours the brave, the reckless even, the ones willing to fight for their place on the road. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
I couldn’t have written a better reason for introducing mandatory IQ tests for cyclists if I tried.
The best thing London’s councillors could do is ban this thing before too many are sold. It needs proper safety testing by independent testers – not by pro-cycling commercial groups.