If you bike at nighttime, you're probably all too familiar with the challenges of keeping visible on the road. Reflectors and standard bike lights often help, but a Northern California startup has a unique solution that incorporates LED lighting directly on bike wheels.
If you're a cycling enthusiast, you may have seen or heard of Revolights in the past. The company rolled out its original LED bike lighting system after its first Kickstarter project was a huge success in 2011. But the original product was not an easy installation process and involved mounting the light ring with clips to your existing wheels. So the team listened to feedback and they've now designed "Revolights City v2.0," which are bike wheels with the LED lights directly built into them.
It's the perfect combination: stylish and safe.
"Our goal is to treat bikes like vehicles," Revolights co-founder and CEO Kent Frankovich told Mashable at Stanford University's Cool Product Expo on Wednesday.
That's why the company's Revolights Wheels incorporate taillights and brake lights, just like a car. The lights increase your visibility as you ride, making it easier for you to see your own path and allowing motorists to more clearly spot you.
It's telling when you see it yourself: Watch the above video to see Revolights in action.
The wheels come with batteries that can be removed and charged via USB. They generally last for four hours of lighting, Frankovich said.
The fundamental premise of Revolights is really about safety, according to Frankovich: “We really want commuters to be safe riding to and from work." According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2010, 618 pedalcyclists died and 52,000 were injured from traffic crashes with motor vehicles.
Revolights is raising funds on Kickstarter for this second generation model. With still 32 days left to go in this new Kickstarter campaign, they've already surpassed their $14,500 goal: Backers had pledged more than $25,000, as of Friday afternoon. Backers can get a front wheel for $217, a rear wheel for $229 or a complete set for $399. For backers pledging well over a grand, they've also partnered with San Francisco's Mission Bicycle Company to offer new bikes with Revolights Wheels already incorporated. Shipping is expected to begin this summer.
If you're a cyclist, what kind of bike lights do you use? What do you think of these built-in bike wheel lights? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Thumbnail and above image courtesy of Revolights by Glen McKenna. Image below by Vignesh Ramachandran/Mashable. Video editing by Bianca Consunji/Mashable. Additional b-roll video courtesy of Revolights.
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