Be alert

• be aware of everything going on around you
• watch out for pedestrians stepping off the kerb
• watch out for vehicles pulling into the kerb or turning left
• look up and around, rather than just in front of your bike
• practice looking behind without wobbling or swerving
• watch out for vehicles coming out of side streets - they may not see you

Watch your position on the road

• ride further out, away from the kerb. You'll be more obvious and easier to avoid
• allow at least a full door width's space between you and parked cars - and watch for open doors
• if the road is too narrow for a vehicle to pass you then it may be safest to ride in middle of the road

Wait ahead at lights

• wait in front of other vehicles when you're at traffic lights
• make sure you are well in front of large vehicles such as HGVs and are not waiting on the left - make eye contact so they know you are there. If you can't get to the front safely, wait behind the vehicle

Be seen and be safe

• a bright jacket or rucksack can make you easier to see
• by law, after dark you must have white lights at the front and red lights at back of your bicycle
• put reflective strips on your rucksack, panniers, jacket or wrist bands for better visibility at night
• it is not the law to wear a helmet but many Londoners choose to - if you wear a helmet, make sure it fits - tighten the straps so that you can't push the helmet up your forehead, side to side or up at the back
• try Safe Turn for your indications

Make eye contact

• make eye contact with drivers to ensure they know you're there - it will make them give you the space on the road that you deserve

Ride confidently

• know where you should be on the road and stick to your guns
• in heavy traffic go at the same speed as other vehicles
• look out for drivers trying to move onto the road you're on
• be assertive, not aggressive

I have been commuting on London roads for almost 18 months now on a 25km round trip, so I have quite a lot of experience of cycling on busy roads.  It is undeniable that commuting in the autumn and winter months when there is less light, poses more threats.  I have always cycled with a powerful front and rear light, and also use a luminous yellow ‘Hump’ backpack cover with incorporated lights to make myself as visible as possible.

It was when I was cycling back from work one dark evening and I needed to turn off the main road, that I had the idea for an indicator that could be worn on the wrist, that would improve my visibility as I raised my hand to indicate a turn.  The problem was, when raising my arm to indicate a turn, I was raising my arm away from my well illuminated body and thrusting it into the darkness.  Not only were motorists unlikely to see it if they weren’t paying particular attention, I was risking having my arm knocked off by any overtaking motorcyclists!

The Safe Turn Indicator solves these problems.  Its rapid bright flashes will ensure that other road users are aware that you are planning to turn ahead, and since it is fully automatic, all you have to do is indicate as normal....problem solved!

Get Outdoors

The more you can do to make the fossil fuelers see you out on the road, the better. Safe Turn increase your visibility with turn signals secured on your wrist via a wristband or it clips to your glove. When your raise your hand to turn, the tilt switch detects the change in position and the light begins to blink. Kinda see this becoming big with the club kids, no?

Offsprung

Riding a bike in Boston is a very life-affirming activity: when I’m finished with each ride, I feel the warm, pleasant feeling of cheating Death. My usual death-defying activity is attempting a left-hand turn. I signal well before the turn, and the car behind me accelerates and passes me on the left, occupying the space where I’d planned to turn into. The action is finished with some vigorous fist-shaking.

Safe Turn has an awesome gadget that will help identify cyclists’ turning intentions. Sensors on the device will trigger the LEDs to blink whenever your arm is raised.

With a good seven years of bike commuting I’ve noticed a lot of cyclists who don’t signal, and most drivers don’t recognize the signals that they’re seeing, so the Safe Turn requires a little driver ed.

Also, it’ll go off accidentally whenever I’m flipping people off.

$20AUD (Australian Dingoes), which translates to about 18 Greenbacks.

Gainsville Times

If you’re a bicyclist, here’s a really cool new gadget for you. It’s called the “Safe Turn.” It’s a bright light that attaches with a strap to your left wrist. When you move your arm to signal either a left or right turn, the light automatically senses the movement and begins blinking to notify nearby cars. The light has a computer chip built into it that senses your arm movement and knows when you’re signaling. The chip is also programmed to ignore other “non-signaling” arm movements.

Product-Reviews

Whilst out cycling, safety should be at the front of our minds, we all know that we should wear a helmet and that our bicycles should have lights on to show those around us that we are there especially if we are on the road, but as a driver one thing I notice is that you can never quite tell if a cyclist is going to turn.

The Safe Turn can help people to be even more aware where cyclists are going on their journey. It measures 40mm (1.6”) and weighs 19g (0.67 oz), is works in a similar way to an indicator on a car or motorbike and has the same orange light. It has an internal tilt switch which detects the change in angle rather than motion. It will automatically switch on when your arm is raised in the normal hand signal maneuver and will stay flashing till you put your arm back on the handlebar

Gadget Palace

Basically, Safe Turn is a wrist mounted indicator light that automatically flickers to life whenever a cyclist raises his/her arm to signal a turn. In order to prevent the device from lighting during normal actions, like reaching for a water bottle or scratching the nose or ass, the device incorporates a “delayed start” feature that only allows the light to turn on if the user’s arm has been in position for more than 200 milliseconds.

If you are one of the few cyclists out there that is courteous enough to use hand signals on the road, the Safe Turn may be a useful device—although it looks as though the guy in the picture may have waited a little too long. Available for $18.

Gizmag

Environmental and health factors have been a catalyst for increased numbers of cyclists in metropolitan cities with bike sales exceeding that of cars in places like Australia in recent times. With more recreational and commuter cyclists sharing the roads with automobiles it follows that rider safety - and technology that enhances it - is more important than ever. The Safe Turn Indicator is a small, portable, automatic bicycle light indicator for your glove or wrist that alerts drivers and other cyclist that you are about to turn.

The compact (40 mm/1.6 in) and lightweight (19g/0.67oz) Safe Turn consists of three LEDs that flash in a similar fashion to a vehicle/motorbike indicator and emit the same orange light. Using an internal tilt switch to detect the change in angle rather than motion-detection, the product differentiates itself from other indicators on the market by virtue of its ability to automatically switch on when an arm is raised to execute a normal hand signal for turning and remain flashing until the arm drops back down.

The convenience of automatic functioning is undeniable but the obvious pitfall is the possibility of the device turning on when you scratch your nose or reach for your drink bottle. To circumvent this problem the inventors have built-in several functions to the Safe Turn's custom chip to avoid unwanted blinking. These include an electronic 'Delayed Start' feature that only allows the device to start blinking when it is in position for more than 200 milliseconds, therefore minimizing the likelihood of blinking due to vibration caused by bumps in the road or momentary changes in hand position.

There's also a mechanical user-adjustment consisting of a self-locking mechanism inside the base of the device that can be changed at 15 degree intervals to accommodate individual riding styles and handlebar types. A “Delayed Off” feature means it doesn’t not automatically switch off when you are in the middle of turning and drop your arm. Instead, it will keep blinking for 1 second to allow all cars to see it. Users can also manually switch the indicator off by pressing the orange top so that it wont blink in any position.

Designed to be visible from a wide range of angles, the LEDs have in-built water-clear lenses to direct the light beams which can be seen from up to 800 metres distance or more. A light-dispersing grid is incorporated into the top cover which also has a high profile so that it is still visible when viewed side-on. The LEDs have a very long life (100,000 hours of continuous lighting) which effectively means that they should never burn out and the two A76 batteries that power the device should provide about 2 years for that average day commuter according to Safe Turn.

To cope with the elements Safe Turn is water-resistant - though not water-proof - with rubber seals protecting the unit from spray but not complete submersion or constant heavy rain.

The Indicator can be used on either hand and attached to the wristband provided with the device or on to a bicycle glove. Retailing for AUD$19.95 (around USD$17 at time of publication), the Safe Turn Indicator is available in Australia, UK, Japan and online. The UK-based (a city of around three-million people that saw 268 serious and seven fatal bicycle accidents - 57% of which were caused by collision with a vehicle - in 2005 alone) creators have a patent pending and are currently looking for an overseas distributor to take the product worldwide.

ProductDose

I was walking on the sidewalk Saturday night when a cyclist zipped past me, not uttering a single word of warning that he was coming up behind me. Unfortunately, there was a couple coming around the corner ahead of him who didn’t see him and he clipped his handlebar on the girl’s purse. Next thing we know the guy goes ass over teakettle across the handlebars and tumbles into a heap on the ground. He hops up, grabs his arm and does an odd pantomime as if his arm is broken in several places. But when the couple and I approach to ask if he’s okay he ignores us. He picks up his bike and limps off for a block before hopping back on and riding away. I’m all for cycling and bike safety but this guy had no one to blame but himself for riding on the sidewalk.

Cyclists can do a lot to make their rides safer for themselves. This Safe Turn Indicator is an Australian invention. It is a small, portable, automatic bicycle light indicator that easily clips to a wristband. When your hand is raised to indicate a turn, the internal tilt switch detects the change in the position and the orange light starts to blink, alerting drivers and other bicyclists that you’re about to make a turn.

Australian Cyclist

The Safe Turn Indicator is both the product name and a fair description of a new Australian invention. It is, according to the manufacturer Safe Turn, a small, portable, automatic bicycle light indicator that clips either to the wristband supplied with the light or to your own glove. Once the indicator is activated - a power-saving feature which is accessed simply by pressing on the reflector - all that's required of the rider is to adjust a tilt-sensing switch built into the unit, then ride and signal in the usual way. As long as the tilt switch has been correctly tuned, the motion of raising the rider's arm is enough to set the unit's three bright LEDs flashing.

And if that's not enough, it actually works. The set-up phase is a tiny bit fiddly and not aided by clear but rather brief instructions, but it isn't rocket science. The Indicator comes with batteries installed. Once out of the packaging it can be placed onto your wrist. I started out with the wrist band supplied with the product but soon found that the fastening strap on the back of my right glove was more convenient and more secure. Adjustment of the flashing mechanism requires turning the unit on, then raising your arm into the turn signalling position to see whether or not this activates the flashing mechanism. If not, lower your arm and rotate the Indicator's reflector one click (about 15 degrees clockwise) and repeat the process until the flasher starts whenever your arm is raised in the turn position. The flasher should self-cancel a few seconds after being returned to the bars.

The technology looks so simple that it begs the question, "why didn't I think of that?" The switch mechanism senses the difference in orientation between hand positions when on the bars and when raised. Two tiny (replaceable) A67 camera-type batteries provide the power to activate the bright LEDs and there is presumably some simple electronics to make them flash in quick bursts. Along with decades of computer miniaturisation, the LEDs are really the heart of such a simple, lightweight and efficient device.

I have been doing evening commutes through Canberra's streets for a couple of weeks now and have come to look very fondly upon my Safe Turn. I am only using one - on my right wrist at the moment. I have always felt vulnerable to a "rear-ender" sitting in the middle of the road waiting to turn right: a single red light (or even multiples) on the rear of the bike can be difficult for drivers to interpret at the best of times - let alone when they're stationary in an unexpected position. Research seems to indicate that diagonal lighting patterns are the most legible for night-time illumination and the combination of good rear lights with a flashing Safe Turn Indicator seems to me to give a cyclist a much better chance of not only being seen, but of her/his intention being read from behind.

The Safe Turn Indicator gets a couple of demerit points from me: I think it needs a more positive fastening system as it can slip from a glove strap or wristband too easily, and it isn't the sturdiest object in the world. But I'm happy to give it full marks for a product long overdue. I felt safer at night and recommend any evening road user to strongly consider this modest investment.

In June 2006, car maker Citroen admitted that the average speed of a car in London during rush-hour (which is nearly all the time in London!) is just 7mph and that motorists waste up to half of their commute time going nowhere, stuck in jams. The company commissioned some 'gridlock' research to promote a car designed for such conditions, a car that shuts off its engine when stuck in jams.

Motorists may be grinding to a halt but the average cyclist can travel at 12-15mph, twice the speed of a car in rush-hour London.  While cycle commuters sail past motorists stuck in rush-hour traffic, at least those motorists stuck in Citroen cars equipped with 'Stop & Start' technology won't be idling their engines contributing needlessly to climate change. Citroen said this technology has "environmental benefits" but a company statement went on to admit that congestion was now a daily reality for motorists and the best they can do is prevent exhaust emissions and spend up to half of their commute standing still.

To date, most car companies have promoted their wares by advertising the latest models driving on pristine Scottish roads with no other cars in sight. When congestion rears its ugly head the car companies stress how comfortable their cars are when an enforced wait is likely. And such waits are likely to increase. Although Ken Livingston’s Congestion Charge may have gone some way to reducing the time Londoners are stationary in their cars, the sheer weight of traffic continues to cripple commuter progress, said Citroen. During an average one-hour commute a driver in central London will cover just 6.8 miles during rush-hour. In Cardiff, the average standstill time for a motorist is a whopping 30 minutes, half of the one-hour commute time.

Citroen found that drivers in Birmingham, Manchester and Norwich can expect to be at a standstill for over 20 minutes, and even in the least congested city, Edinburgh, almost 18 minutes were spent stationary. Andrew Burns, Edinburgh's transport leader warned in February that a 20-minute car journey in the city could take an hour by 2026. The same distance journey by bike will take the same time as today, or if better infrastructure was put in place, cycle journey times could actually decrease.

In November 2005, the then Transport Secretary, Alistair Darling, announced plans to explore potential congestion charging zones in Durham, the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Tyne and Wear, Shrewsbury, Cambridgeshire and Bristol. He said congestion remains one of the biggest threats to economic expansion in the next 10-15 years.

“It is bad for business, frustrates motorists and hurts local economies. Time, then, to get cycling. And the time has never been better. The front cover of The Independent on 6th June 2006 was headlined 'Revolution! Britain embraces the bicycle as figures show that trips have risen 50% in just five years."

The newspaper reported that the latest usage stats from Andy Cope of Sustrans says there has been a 15 per cent increase in journeys on the National Cycle Network, a rise to 232 million journeys. In the previous year the rise was 11 percent.

Although cycling incurs a certain risk, it is definitely worth mentioning the advantage of cycling in improving fitness. Cycling helps to improve aerobic fitness and reduce obesity. This makes a significant contribution to reduce heart disease and other obesity related diseases. The number of deaths from heart disease in the UK is a staggering 70,000 a year. This easily dwarves the fatalities of cycling (126). Whilst a cycling accident makes a newsworthy story, a heart attack doesn’t. But, it is important to weigh up the benefits as well as the cost. Yet, in deciding whether to cycle or drive, most people tend to focus on the dangers.

If you've been enjoying cycling this summer, why give it up just because the season is changing? You'll be surprised by just how much you enjoy cycling this winter.

Five good reasons to stay on your bike
It's more interesting - see the seasons change and keep enjoying London's landmarks and green spaces. Be the first to see the start of spring.

It's reliable - you're free to travel when you like, by whatever route you choose, and won't be slowed down by winter congestion or travel disruptions.

It's cheap - save money for the festive season (and you won't need to worry about putting on the other kind of pounds either).

It's drier than you think - if you ride year round, you're likely to get caught in rain only eight times. February and March are two of the driest months.

Don't let your fitness drop - cycling is an easy way to look and feel good. Daily exercise can help reduce stress and keep winter blues at bay.

Tips for winter cycling
With a bit of information and some basic gear, cycling in winter is as easy and satisfying as it is in summer.

• you'll warm up quickly when you're cycling so wear breathable layers that you can remove and put back on as the weather changes
• choose a light, water-proof windbreaker that folds up small and can be worn over your clothes
• book a cycle training session in the evening so you can learn to ride confidently in the dark
• get some warm gloves and socks - having warm hands and feet makes all the difference
• adjust your riding to the conditions - take extra care when it's icy or wet
• keep a pair of shoes at work to change into if your feet get wet on the ride in
• don't forget your lights - and with something reflective on your bike, bags or clothing you'll be easy to see when it's dark
• ask your local bike shop about getting mudguards fitted to your bike - more water comes up off the road than down from the sky
• park your bike out of the elements where possible to keep it running smoothly

Cycling to work and for errands is safe, practical and fun if you do it right. But there is much more to driving a bicycle than balance and steering. Many of the "bike safety" things we were taught as kids are wrong and some are dangerous.
A common misconception about cycling is the extent and source of danger. Most people think that the greatest danger is getting run down by cars passing from behind. Cars are fast and noisy and we cannot see them coming, so the fear is natural. But it is wrong. These accidents represent less than one-half of one percent of urban, daylight accidents to cyclists. (In rural areas, the ratio is slightly higher. Also, unlighted cyclists and drunk drivers make such accidents much more common at night.)
About 90 percent of car-bike collisions involve turning and crossing traffic. (Just like car crashes.) Most of the rest are caused by wrong way riders or by swerving in front of traffic. The danger is right in front of you where you can see and avoid it if you are watching. Below are ten tips to make your cycling safer, more useful and more fun.

1. Avoid Riding On Sidewalks. Many people think that the sidewalk is a safe place to ride. However, accident studies show that riding on sidewalks has about twice the accident risk as proper cycling on the road. Sidewalk cyclists are in danger at every road crossing and even driveways because motorists do not look for fast traffic on the sidewalk. Also, mixing pedestrians and cyclists is dangerous to both. A bicycle “sidepath” next to a road is just about as dangerous as a sidewalk. This is why cyclists are often required to walk bikes across intersections. (Note the sign in the photo to the right.) You are much safer in the street, following the rules of the road for drivers of vehicles.

2. Ride On The Right With Other Traffic. Some people were taught to ride on the wrong side of the road so they can “see traffic coming”. This is dangerous and it is illegal in all 50 states. Pedestrians walk facing traffic so they can sidestep off the road, if necessary. But you cannot sidestep on a bike. The accident rate for wrong-way cyclists is 3.6 times as high as for cycling the "right" way. Other drivers look for traffic coming from the usual direction. They usually are not looking for wrong way traffic.

3. Be Visible! Other drivers will not hit you IF they can see you. Bright clothes make you easier to spot in the daytime but they are useless at night. Riding without lights in the dark is a very dangerous mistake. About thirty percent of cycling crashes occur at night although only about four percent of cycling is done then. The reflectors that come with new bikes are grossly inadequate for nighttime safety. Always use a headlight and taillight when you ride in the dark. If you are caught by darkness without lights don't try to sneak home on the sidewalk. Walk your bike home or call for a ride. The photo at right shows the author's machine with two headlights. Notice how little of the bike is visible other than the headlights.

4. Follow The Rules Of The Road. Everyone following the same “rules of the road” allows safe and efficient travel for all. This is the principle behind the Effective Cycling** program. Cyclists who make up their own rules are in great danger.

5. Learn Proper Lane Position. Beginners usually “hug the curb” and then wonder why cars pass so close. Experienced cyclists let traffic pass when they can but they “take the lane” when needed for safety. If cars are passing you too close, move a bit left to signal to passing drivers that they must use another lane to pass. If you collect a string of cars behind you, try to find a safe way to let them pass. It takes practice to learn to ride effectively in traffic. The right tire track of the right lane is often a good place to ride on a narrow road. (See the photo at right.)
6. Be Predictable. Ride a good, straight “line”, signal turns and generally look like you know what you are doing. How can you expect other drivers to avoid you if they cannot tell where you are going?

7. Be Courteous. Act like an adult and share the road with other drivers. If others act like jerks, keep your temper -- don't descend to their level. Carry a "jerk book" to write down license number and description of any dangerous drivers you see.

8. Protect Yourself. A helmet will not prevent a bike crash but it is good, cheap insurance that may allow you to walk away from one. Make sure your helmet fits and is adjusted properly. Cycling gloves help prevent “handlebar palsy” and protect hands from abrasion in a fall.

9. Keep your Machine In Safe Condition. Give your bike an occasional "tune up". Before hopping on your bike, give it a “quick check”. Make sure that wheels are tight; squeeze brakes hard to see that they work and that cables are not about to snap.

10. Learn From Experienced Cyclists. Experience can be a harsh teacher and it is a slow one. (It takes at least 10,000 miles of cycling in traffic to become confident if you try to learn on your own.) Why make all the beginners' mistakes yourself when you can learn from others? Join a good cycling club, take a “Bike Ed” class and read books such as John Forester's Effective Cycling** or John Allen's booklet Street Smarts.

Dealer sales
Ad hoc stats from the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT) show that independent bicycle dealers had a good year overall, but a very challenging fourthquarter. In October 2008 63% struggled with decreasing revenues. September was different and showed that 65% of the dealers were able to increase their turnover while also in August, July and May the number of dealers that reported revenue growth outnumbers the ones that said to experience a declining turnover.

The independent chains continued to take market share from single store IBDs but true independent chains are now rare. Cycle Surgery, for instance, expanded in 2008 but is no longer independently owned. It’s part of the Snow+Rock group. Formerly London only, the Cycle Surgery store brand was carried over to stores in Romford, Wirral, Birmingham, Didsbury, Port Solent, Bristol and Chertsey. It now has 15 stores nationwide.

The biggest of the powerhouse IBD chains - Evans Cycles - spent much of 2007 and early 2008 fending off claims it was about to be sold. It was seeking a bigger shareholder, said Evans, with cash to fund expansion. In April, a deal was finally inked. Active Private Equity acquired a majority stake in the business via a combination of acquisition and growth capital. In the past five years Evans Cycles has added 20 stores and expanded outside of its South East England base. It now has 31 outlets.

Raleigh Rolls On
2008 was the breakthrough year for Raleigh UK’s three year old retail franchise package, Cyclelife. This has the potential to rebuild the Raleigh brand via a growing network of dealers. In February, Raleigh became a member of the British Franchise Association. By April Raleigh had signed up its 100th member.

Cyclelife dealers get preferential trading terms from Raleigh, stock finance, store development consultancy and finance, and operational and finance support for marketing activity. Raleigh’s aim is to develop a network of 200+ Cyclelife dealers.

Healthy Halfords
Sales of satnavs and bikes enabled Halfords to havea relatively good 2008. Relative, that is, to much of the rest of retail. The High Street had a rough year on the whole and Halfords managed to grow - albeit only slightly - in tough operating conditions.

The year started with the high-profile sponsorship of Team Halfords Bikehut, built around Olympic hopeful Nicole Cooke. She later won gold in the women’s road race but by year end she had to found her own team when Team Halfords Bikehut switched its emphasis to male cyclists only.
In March Halfords reported 7% year on year growth. By the middle of the year, sales were still increasing but only by a paltry 1.7%, year on year. By September the growth had slowed to 1.6% year on year. Revenue for the 26 weeks to 26 September was GBP 407.1 million (€ 455.3mn) up from GBP 400.7 million (€ 448.2mn) in 2007.

CEO David Wild said:

“Halfords has seen a solid trading performance. Against challenging comparatives and a tightening consumer environment, revenue grew by 1.6% withperformance weighted into more defensive, needs driven product categories.”

A company statement said growth was:

“Provided by a cycling market benefiting from increased use of cycles for leisure, health and commuting. These core categories represent almost half of revenue.”

As well as standalone Bikehut stores, Halfords has recently rolled out a test store format for standalone stores in York and Norwich. Designed to look and feel more like independent bike shops than corporate stores, the Cycle Republic test format has ‘researched positively with customers’. Halfords believe that there is the potential for at least 50 stand-alone cycle stores across the UK.

Fuel Price Hikes Sell Bikes
The summer of 2008 was wet but the escalating cost of fuel - a major media story - meant cycle usage grew, especially in big cities and most definitely especially in London. The mainstream media banged on and on about the ‘bike boom’ caused by higher petrol prices.

Many media pieces focusedon new converts to cycling. And, with the zeal common among converts, they recounted how they may have started cycling because of the spiralling price of fuel but they discovered how much faster cycling is in towns and how much weight they’ve lost and - the knock-out punch - how much fun it was. All good stuff for the image of cycling.

Bike sales didn’t seem to rise, although sales of get-your-bike-back-on-the-road accessories went through the roof. Halfords commissioned a survey which showed that 42% of Brits might switch from cars to bikes.
The survey, to promote the Halfords Cycle2Work scheme, found that saving money on fuel was deemed to be the greatest benefit for switching to two wheels, with 89% of respondents citing this would be the main reason to change. 69% said environmental concerns could make them switch.

Paul Bullett from Halfords said:

“Whilst we accept that bikes aren’t feasible for every journey, if people living within as little as a five mile radius from work switched to pedal power not only would they see immediate savings on their fuel bills but they would also benefit from improved fitness too.”

1) THE ORIGIN OF THE PRODUCT

Who invented the product?
Our Research and Development team at Safe Turn invented this product. 

Where is the Indicator made?

Our custom-built Integrated Circuit (a miniature electronic chip, the heart of the device) is made in Taiwan. The state-of-the-art tilt switch is made in Taiwan also. The other mechanical and optical parts of the device are manufactured and assembled in China.

Couldn't you make it entirely in the UK?

Yes, we could, but it wouldn't be economical to manufacture and it would increase the retail price greatly.

How can I be assured that I am purchasing a high quality product?

Even though the production of our product is outsourced to manufacturers in various geographical locations, our manufacturers are renowned for the quality of their products.

Strict quality control combined with excellent reputation and expertise of our manufacturers helps us to make products of a very good quality. 

2) BUYING THE PRODUCT

Where can I buy the Safe Turn Indicator?

You will be able to purchase the Indicator from many bicycle shops worldwide.  If your favourite bicycle shop does not stock it, please ask them to contact us and we will speak to our local distributors.

What is the warranty and return policy?

If the product is faulty, we will happily exchange it. 

Products bought from our retailers may be subject to alternative arrangements - please ask at your place of purchase.

3) PRODUCT USAGE AND FEATURES

How do I use it?  Where do I wear it?

The Product can be attached to the wristband provided or on to your bicycle glove, and can be used on either hand.

It can be adjusted to individual riding styles and handlebar types, so it starts blinking precisely when your hand is out-stretched to indicate a turn.  To adjust, hold the base (clip) and turn the top clock-wise.  Repeat this until the indicator works as desired.

A good starting point:  Adjust the Indicator so that the internal dark spot under its cover points toward your thumb.

After you finish your ride, switch the device off completely by pressing the orange top.

When OFF, the device will not blink in any position.  When ON, the device will blink only when you put it in a specific orientation.

Hint:  Flip the device upside-down to make sure it is completely switched off.

You will find detailed instructions on the packaging of the Safe Turn Indicator.

Can I use the Indicator with different handlebars - curved, straight?  How to tune it?

Some cyclists use forward-bent racing handlebars, others use straight handlebars or recumbent bikes.  Some people indicate by raising their hand to a horizontal position, others indicate in a more relaxed manner by raising the hand a bit less.  By turning the light on its base, the users can adjust it to suit their needs.

The top of the device can be turned on its base with an audible "click".  It can be done clockwise only.  The click is caused by a self-locking mechanism that locks the device every 15 degrees during the turn.

The purpose is to allow an adjustment to a rider's handlebar type and riding style.

As long as the position (an angle) when your hand is on the handlebar is different from the position (an angle) when indicating a turn, the light will work.  Examples:

 Keep adjusting until the light flashes only when you out-stretch your hand to indicate a turn.

Note: Do not adjust the Safe Turn Indicator while in motion.  Always give sufficient notice to the surrounding traffic before turning.

What is the visibility from different directions?  Will both oncoming and following cars see the light?

Very high visibility of our Indicator has been achieved via both optical and electronic innovative solutions.

- Visibility:  The optics

The Safe Turn Indicator is designed to be visible from a wide range of angles.  The LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) have in-built water-clear lenses to direct the light beams.  A grid is incorporated into the top cover of the device to disperse the light.  The top cover has a high profile to allow side visibility.  The light can be seen from up to 800 metres distance or more - it will depend on the surrounding lighting conditions and the viewing angle.

- Visibility:  Ultra-bright light

The Light Emitting Diodes used in our device have light intensity of 4,000 mcd (millicandela) each.  They are called ultra-bright LEDs.  Their brightness is further enhanced by in-built water-clear lenses.

- Visibility:  electronic 'Delayed Off' feature

When you indicate a turn, your hand is raised and the top surface of the indicator is initially directed backwards.  The cars behind you can see it, together with the cars on your sides.

When you enter the turn, at some stage you put your hand back on the handlebar.  The light will NOT stop blinking then.  It will keep blinking for 1 second.  It allows the cars at the front to see it too.  This solution has been road-tested and found optimal for most situations on the road.

Is the Indicator certified for CE marking?

Yes, our product complies with the essential requirements of the relevant health, safety and environmental protection legislation's.  It bears CE ('Conformite Europeenne') markings.

Is the device water resistant?

Yes – It contains a set of rubber seals, to make it 'splash proof'.  However, it is not waterproof.  It should not be submerged in water, or exposed to prolonged heavy rain.

Will it blink when I grab my water bottle?  Will it blink when my bicycle runs over a pothole or a road bump?

It depends on the adjustment.  The light is designed to blink when you indicate a turn; however it may also blink in some other situations when you move your hand to a specific position.  To minimise this side effect, we implemented both mechanical and electronic means:

- The mechanical adjustment is a self-locking mechanism inside the base of the device.  By turning the top part clockwise on the base, you cause the mechanism to lock itself every 15 degrees.  You can continue turning, until you achieve an optimal result.  The optimal result means: the light starts blinking precisely when you out-stretch your hand to indicate a turn, and it does not start blinking prematurely or too late.

You will find the detailed instructions on the packaging and at the beginning of this section.

- The electronic 'Delayed Start' feature causes the device to start blinking only when the device is in position for more than 200 milliseconds.  This electronic function has been implemented to avoid unnecessary blinking caused by vibration, momentary changes in position of your hand, shaking caused by uneven road surface and so on.

Why is the clip turning around with an audible 'click'?

The top of the device can be turned on its base.  It can be done clockwise only.  The click is caused by a self-locking mechanism that locks the device every 15 degrees during the turn.

The purpose is to allow an adjustment to a rider's handlebar type and riding style.  Please refer to the first part of this section for details.

 What batteries (cells) are used?

Safe Turn Indicator uses so-called 'button cells'.  They are a 1.5V small round batteries, commonly used in calculators, cameras etc.

The device is supplied with alkaline batteries, known as type AG13 or A76 or equivalent.  The user can replace them with any compatible batteries, including silver-oxide and lithium types.

Can I change the batteries on my own?

Yes, you can lift off the top ring and orange top to access the batteries.

Note: Align the 3 raised markings found on the top ring, the orange top and the base to clip back into place correctly.

You will find the detailed instructions on the packaging.

Can I recharge the batteries (cells)?

The batteries (cells) used in the device are typical, common batteries that cannot be recharged.  Making our device rechargeable would make it bigger and heavier.

Is the product environmentally friendly?

Yes, it is.

The tilt switch does not contain any mercury; it is a ball-bearing tilt switch.  The batteries (cells) do not contain any mercury, and they are alkaline batteries (more environment-friendly than lithium).

The casing is made of plastic.  Aluminium is lightweight and would be an alternative for the bottom part, but production of plastics is more environment-friendly.

Our modern ultra bright Light Emitting Diodes are very energy efficient, so the batteries do not need to be replaced for a long time.  Moreover, our LEDs are RoHs compliant - The Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) Directive (2002/95/EC).

Why are LEDs and not light globes used in this Indicator?

This is because LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are brighter, more energy efficient and last longer.

Light-emitting diodes produce more lumens per watt (the measurement of light) than both traditional and halogen lighting globes, making them more environmentally friendly and cost effective in the long run.

Because they are solid, LED bulbs hold up well to jarring and bumping.

Is it a motion-activated (movement-activated) device?

No, it is not.  Movement-activated devices are activated by the movement alone; they are not orientation-sensitive. The Safe Turn Indicator is activated by change in its orientation (angle) in relation to the Earth's gravity.

Can I make it blinking all the time, until switched off?

No.  Our indicator is very different from other blinking lights.  The idea is to make it blink when you indicate a turn.

What colours are available?

Being a turn indicator, the device has to have an orange top and release an orange beam of light.  The bottom part is blue, to match our trademark colours.  There are no other colours currently available.

How long will the product last?

- The batteries (cells)

The device is designed to be very energy-efficient.

If you are a commuter riding every day and you indicate on average 20 times a day for roughly 1.5 seconds each time, the batteries will last approximately two years.

For casual, less frequent riders they will last longer.

Unlike many other electronic devices, our indicator causes almost no battery drainage when the device is switched off.

- The LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes)

The LEDs (the three little 'light bulbs' inside the device) have a very long life.  The ones we use are guaranteed to last at least 100,000 hours of continuous lighting.  Failure rate based on long time testings: less than 1 per 10,000,000 light hours.

In practice this means they should never burn out.

- The main switch (on/off)

The main switch (the press on/off centre switch) is made of a steel plate.  It will typically withstand thousands of operations.  It should not break during the lifetime of the device.

- The tilt switch

The tilt switch has a little metal ball rolling inside a miniature metal pipe.  When the ball rolls to an end of the pipe, it closes the circuit by joining gold-plated contacts.  To protect this switch, we fit it into a specially designed support stand.

The expected life of a high-quality tilt switch typically exceeds one hundred thousands operations (open-close).  This means that, in practice, the tilt switch should last for the lifetime of the device.

- Mechanical parts and body

The top semi-transparent cover, including the lenses, is made of acrylic (Polymethylmethacrylate - PMMA).  Acrylic is also a durable substance that will not deteriorate due to UV rays (sunlight) and temperature changes.  It has excellent clarity, good abrasion resistance, hardness and stiffness.

In our implementation, the top cover is subject to pressing force when you switch on and off the device.  The material's characteristics will let it last long without breakage.

The body of the deviceis made of ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene).  This material is commonly used in bicycle lights, due to its properties: it's reasonably tough and it should last for years without deterioration.

The self-locking adjust mechanism inside the base of the device is made of extra-durable POM (Poly Acetal: Polyoxymethylene). It is rigid, tough, has spring-like qualities, good stress-relaxation resistance and exceptional friction/wear properties. POM Acetal is particularly suitable for our application, because it will withstand multiple bend-and-slide operations of the self-locking adjustment mechanism.

Water-resistance of our device is achieved with rubber seals.  Those have no large surfaces exposed, and should therefore not deteriorate too quickly.  To avoid damage to the rubber seals, you should apply a reasonable care when opening and closing the device to replace batteries.

Environmental and health factors have been a catalyst for increased numbers of cyclists in metropolitan cities with bike sales exceeding that of cars in places like the UK in recent times. With more recreational and commuter cyclists sharing the roads with automobiles it follows that rider safety - and technology that enhances it - is more important than ever. The Safe Turn Indicator is a small, portable, automatic bicycle light indicator for your glove or wrist that alerts drivers and other cyclist that you are about to turn.

The compact (40 mm/1.6 in) and lightweight (19g/0.67oz) Safe Turn Indicator consists of three LEDs that flash in a similar fashion to a vehicle/motorbike indicator and emit the same orange light. Using an internal tilt switch to detect the change in angle rather than motion-detection, the product differentiates itself from other indicators on the market by virtue of its ability to automatically switch on when an arm is raised to execute a normal hand signal for turning and remain flashing until the arm drops back down.

The convenience of automatic functioning is undeniable but the obvious pitfall is the possibility of the device turning on when you scratch your nose or reach for your drink bottle. To circumvent this problem the inventors have built-in several functions to the Safe Turn Indicator's custom chip to avoid unwanted blinking. These include an electronic 'Delayed Start' feature that only allows the device to start blinking when it is in position for more than 200 milliseconds, therefore minimizing the likelihood of blinking due to vibration caused by bumps in the road or momentary changes in hand position.

There's also a mechanical user-adjustment consisting of a self-locking mechanism inside the base of the device that can be changed at 15 degree intervals to accommodate individual riding styles and handlebar types. A “Delayed Off” feature means it doesn’t not automatically switch off when you are in the middle of turning and drop your arm. Instead, it will keep blinking for 1 second to allow all cars to see it. Users can also manually switch the Safe Turn Indicator off by pressing the orange top so that it wont blink in any position.

Designed to be visible from a wide range of angles, the LEDs have in-built water-clear lenses to direct the light beams which can be seen from up to 800 metres distance or more. A light-dispersing grid is incorporated into the top cover which also has a high profile so that it is still visible when viewed side-on. The LEDs have a very long life (100,000 hours of continuous lighting) which effectively means that they should never burn out and the two A76 batteries that power the device should provide about 2 years for that average day commuter according to Safe Turn.

To cope with the elements Safe Turn Indicator is water-resistant - though not water-proof - with rubber seals protecting the unit from spray but not complete submersion or constant heavy rain.

The Safe Turn Indicator can be used on either hand and attached to the wristband provided with the device or on to a bicycle glove. The Safe Turn Indicator is available in the UK, Australia, Japan and online.