Here’s the second entry in this year’s Australian Design Awards that caught our eye.

Designed by James Morton from the UNSW it’s called the Firefly, and is a very interesting take on the everyday red led blinker that we all use…
Product Description and Principal Function(s)

The Firefly light uses a Passive Infrared sensor in order to detect traffic approaching from behind the rider. Upon detection LEDs flash onto the back of the rider with varying intensity depending on the proximity of the traffic. The protruding arm of the device allows the light to illuminate the entire back of the rider at any angle. A set of LEDs also illuminate the ground beneath the rider; providing traffic with a proximity of depth which can be used to determine exactly where the rider is. While a rear tail-light provides strong rear presence and meets bicycle light requirements.

Why does the product represent design excellence and why do you believe it deserves an Australian Design Award?

Cycling in Australia is an activity growing exponentially in popularity. Unfortunately due to limited visibility and awareness of cyclists many riders are hit by motorists, resulting in serious injury or death. Firefly aims to eliminate this lack of road presence by making the rider appear larger, while also providing motorists with a form of feedback, resulting in fewer incidents between cyclists and motorists.

The Firefly bike light is a completely unique form of bicycle lighting. There is no known bicycle light that responds to the presence of surrounding traffic. The Firefly light is the only light to completely illuminate the whole back of the rider regardless of riding position, exploiting the vast space for increased visibility. This makes it the only bicycle light that gives the rider human characteristics so they aren’t treated as just another cyclist. As well as this unique back light, the Firefly also incorporates ground illumination to provide a perception of depth for approaching traffic, as well as a tail light feature, all in the one unit.

The design reflects the general aesthetics of modern bicycle design with skeletal aspects as well as aerodynamic features.

Concept testing showed vast improvements in rider visibility by directly illuminating the rider and creating a halo effect of light under the bicycle, while presenting a strong tail light presence.

By mounting the unit to the seat post the device can be used with all bicycle types and is compatible with existing bicycle accessories such as mudguards, panniers and backpacks. With such responsive back illumination there is no need for additional safety apparel such as safety vests. A built-in power port allows for powering additional lighting or accessories.

The Firefly is made from die-cast aluminum, providing a light, strong and durable skeleton on which the light is mounted. The underside is made from an injection moulded Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene which houses all the electronics as a sub assembly. This provides increased impact protection and resistance to the harsh conditions on a bicycle. The battery is easily accessible through the top Thermoplastic Elastomer cover which provides a water-tight seal protecting the battery and control button from the elements. The resealable cover allows for easy access to the battery for recharging. The flip up tail light is constructed on a sturdy aluminum frame to improve impact resistance while optical grade Polycarbonate lenses are attached to provide high performance light dispersion and full protection of internal components.

The Firefly is activated by flipping up the light which triggers the spring mounted hinge. Once illuminated, the rider can then scroll through the 7 different lighting options with the button located on the top of the unit. A quick release button allows for easy attachment and removal from the bicycle for improved security.

This is a completely unique product that has the potential to save lives. Thorough testing has proven its ability to illuminate the rider. It is competitively priced for entry into the existing market. The Firefly light is the future of safe cycling.

Interesting way to start the week. Spotted over at Bike Commuters is a feature on a bike frame designed by Matt Clark in Southern California made from recycled plastics. While it won’t win over the purists out there, it is a great look at developing a low cost bike from recycled materials. Fantastic to make bikes for commuting and poorer countries and an interesting step towards looking at new ways to make what many consider as something’s that is already perfected. [Read all about it here]

This is madness. Just how much wood is out there and why do we keep on finding it? This time it’s a home creation for two and really, what can you say about it?

As reported by Jens Eichler @ [c-net]

“Jens Eichler got himself some sheets of beech plywood, along with a strong glue [phenol-resorcinol] and some power tools. After a few months of playing with the concept, he set to work in August 2006 on what would become a tandem bicycle he calls “Renovatia.

Fancy some embossed leather under your pert (or not so as the case usually is) cycling backside?

Then then this might be the thing for you. A special edition Alpe d’Huez saddle designed by Brooklyn based artist Dan Funderburgh.

Lifting the copy right from under Brooks’ nose:

“Alpe d’Huez is one of the main climbs and has been a stage finish in the Tour de France almost every year since 1976. The first was in 1952, won by Fausto Coppi, at a time when most cyclists were riding Brooks Saddles.

As you might have guessed, we do not harp on about the latest and greatest bit of kit available to the world of mountain biking, or biking in general. Mostly because last year’s shifter is as good as this year’s. Actually, a shifter from four years ago is probably as good, considering the level the vast majority of riders out there ride at (or take care of their kit).

This though does not mean we are not going to share interesting things with you when they crop up. Read the rest of this entry »

Nothing like posting about something out of the left field. Previously we showed you a bamboo bike, so this time around is a bike carved out of wood.

“At first glance, the use of wood really seems to be nothing more than a nostalgic memory of the good old times, a last salutation to a natural material which has accompanied the cultural development of humanity for thousands of years. On closer inspection, however, one discovers that the frame, with all its visual elegance and the typical emotional warmth of wood, was built with so much technical ingenuity that it is a groundbreaking example for the usage of natural materials in the 21st Century.

The special charm of the Waldmeister lies in the harmonic fusion of the natural substances wood and leather with high-tech materials like carbon and titanium and in the reduction of everything to the basics. We are striving to produce the Waldmeister bike as environmentally friendly as possible. Therefore, we use durable components produced by companies sharing our philosophy of sustainability. It is our principle to use only domestic woods for our bike.  The frame is made out of PEFC-certified wood stemming from sustainable forestry in the Teutoburg Forest.  We use FSC-certified wood for the optional inlay.”

[See the not so working site here]

OK, that sounds a bit harsh but it’s the general feeling around these parts.

Reading the journal of Mr. Pizzaz, I got to thinking that a diary from the point of view of someone trying to actually get back on the bike, might make an accessible read some out there could relate to. Who knows, it might even inspire one or two of you… or motivate myself. Read the rest of this entry »

I was thinking about the post “Mountain Bikers Care About Wild Places” in conjunction with the recent “….tap, tap, tap …..” forum post regarding the aging mountain biking demographics as I rode along yesterday.

I mountain bike because its fun, challenging and it puts me out in the bush in differing conditions regularly (and my family like me better if I have got out and thought and spun).

My appreciation of the sport grows as I get older. I think it is one of the few sports that a person can do for life and that the people who enjoy mountain biking average in their 30’s is not surprising as to enjoy the sport is not generally a cheap one nor is it one that can be learned overnight. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’ve ever had you bike receive a five finger discount, you’ll know just how crappy the experience is. At the same time, it does not prevent us from buying cheaper bikes, just because some scum might steal them. How to mag – Make, has a great article about how to ‘ugly’ your bike to prevent potential thieves from noticing it all that bit too much.

Check out the article here