How Technology Helps Prevent Bicycle Accidents

    A lot of people nowadays shift to the use of bicycles as their primary mode of transportation. Because of this, there’s a need to address the safety of cyclists since they tend to be at a higher risk of getting injured than those in cars or motorcycles. Good thing there’s technology that can be installed in bicycles to help cyclists be more aware of their surroundings, thus preventing future accidents.

    Here are some excellent points on how technology allows cyclists to avoid accidents:

    Improves cyclists’ visibility in the dark

    There are different cases of bicycle accidents as described in some blog posts like https://dominguezfirm.com/injury-lawyer/bicycle-accidents/. The most common case is that the cyclist wasn’t able to see clearly what’s on the road at night. Because bikes don’t have built-in lights compared with motorcycles, it’s quite dangerous to use them during nighttime.

    Fortunately, smart bike lights like See.Sense are now available. These are front and rear light devices to be installed on the bike that allows you to see clearly at night. Aside from being a light source, the same technology alerts the cyclists of areas that are accident prone. Accidents usually happen in roundabouts and intersections; the device will blink faster so that motorists will notice that there’s a bike approaching and will have enough time to slow down. This technology addresses cyclists’ concern about not being seen by other drivers on the road.

    Notifies your emergency contact when something terrible happens

    There are bicycle protection devices, including See.Sense, that are equipped with Bluetooth technology that connects to your mobile device so that you can make use of its other features, such settings customization, through an app. Another very useful feature of these devices is your listed emergency contact will be notified right away in case of an emergency. It’s very difficult to deal with personal injury all by yourself; this technology ensures that a family or friend is aware of your condition and assistance can be provided right away.

    Mimics sensors similar to those installed in cars

    In the last few decades, security and safety technology for vehicles revolved around cars and more recently in motorcycles. Because of the many benefits of using a bike as an alternative mode of transportation, the same safety features are now being incorporated in bicycles.

    The most common of these is the motion sensors installed at the back of a vehicle to aid drivers if they are close to experiencing a collision. This technology is now available for bicycles. The sensor generates a loud noise when cars or other vehicles are not giving enough clearance for bikes to move, alerting the drivers involved.

    Tracks cyclists’ speed and notifies them to slow down

    SmartHalo, Garmin Edge, and Wahoo are examples of smart bike devices that will indicate if the bike is moving at an accelerated speed approaching intersections or red lights. It will, therefore, notify the cyclist to apply brakes to avoid an accident. These devices work through a connection with your smartphone.

    Moreover, these devices have GPS features, such as:

    • Suggesting alternative routes if there is road congestion, which can be a possible cause of an accident
    • Providing data analytics on the ride
    • Providing other options on how you can ride more safely on the road

    Provides a temporary bike lane

    The idea of having bike lanes in all major roads in cities will ensure the safety and protection of cyclists. More often than not, those that are riding in two wheels on the road are somehow treated less than those with four wheels. However, this has not yet been fully implemented; therefore, an improvised bike lane is a good idea.

    The technology called Virtual Safety Lane that is installed in bikes emits laser light and will project temporary lanes on the pavement. This is an excellent option if you’re riding with a group so that no car will cut you off. This also makes the traffic situation more organized, as bikes are on a single lane on the road. This will work best to new cyclists who are still not comfortable with getting into main roads with high vehicular traffic. Creating a bike lane will most likely prevent accidents from happening.

    Final Thoughts

    Everyone aims to be completely safe on the road, whether on a bike or a car. As cyclists make up a small but significant part of road users, bikes should have safety features, too, as cars do. The devices mentioned above are a good start.

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