A new neon green bike light produced by a British student hasn’t hit the marketplace yet, but some locals anticipate it could make night riding safer. Others are not convinced.
A British product design student invented the light, called Blaze. It emits a neon-green laser image onto the street 16 feet in front of the bicycle to help protect night bike riders, according to a CNN story.
But John Savona, a UPD bicycle unit officer, said the bright green light concerns him because it is not what people on the road are used to seeing.
“I’m not really convinced,” he said. “It looks like a huge distraction.”
The item has not yet been released, and no prices are listed yet on the product’s website, blaze.cc.
UF bicyclists are required by law to ride with a headlight and a taillight at night.
Fred Lintz, Gator Cycle manager, said that headlights and taillights are really what riders need to stay safe and visible while riding at night.
“A lot of people try to pass by the legal minimum and don’t understand how important it is to let people know you’re coming,” he said.
Emily VanGelder, a member of Team Florida Cycling, said the Blaze light could make night rides safer.
“I don’t think headlights and taillights are effective enough,” said VanGelder, a 20-year-old UF applied physiology and kinesiology sophomore. “I think it would improve visibility a lot.”
She said the neon green color is the best part of the light because it would not blend in with car lights on the road.
VanGelder said the Blaze light could help, but it doesn’t mean night riding shouldn’t be taken seriously.
“I’m just extra cautious because I know a lot of the drivers aren’t looking out for me,” she said, “so I have to look out for myself.”
A version of this story ran on page 8 on 9/30/2013 under the headline "Bike light might help riders"
