In what marks the beginning of an effort to create safer conditions for cyclists, Bontrager has unveiled a full range of lights designed to be used in daylight or, as the brand refers to them, Daytime Running Lights.
The new line of lights includes the Bontrager Flare R, Ion 800, Flare R City, Ion 350, and Ion 100; and is designed to draw the attention of motorists and pedestrians more effectively than previous generations of lights.
The new line of lights is the result of a long-term research collaboration with Clemson University – one of the USA’s foremost research institutions in the field of visual perception and awareness – into the efficacy of cyclist’s efforts to enhance the likelihood that they will be noticed by motorists. Positioned as being as essential as a cyclist’s helmet, these lights are designed to be used on every ride.
“After cars installed running lights, accidents decreased by 25%. Motorcycle accidents decreased 13%. The data we’ve collected thus far has shown that using daytime running lights could reduce cycling-related accidents by 33%. And because 80% of cycling accidents occur during daylight hours, this category holds huge potential to create some really positive change,” said Bontrager Brand Manager Michael Browne.
Conspicuity
Cyclists may want to familiarize themselves with a word that much of Bontrager’s research has centered around. Conspicuity (con-spi-queue-i-ty), is more than simply the state of being visible, but actually standing out from your surroundings, or being ‘conspicuous’.
As a release from Bontrager points out, ‘Think of it this way: if you were to look down on a parking lot of all white cars, all of the white cars would be visible. However, if you look down on a parking lot full of white cars, save for one red car, your eye would be naturally drawn to the red car. Though all of the cars are visible, only the red car is conspicuous. Being conspicuous is a challenge cyclists need to embrace.’
Lights are more than lumens
Bontrager adds, ‘In an industry obsessed with the perceived value of more of this and less of that, it’s understandable that many brands rest the value proposition of their lights solely on how many lumens they produce.’
While important, lumens are seen as only being one part of enhancing a cyclist’s conspicuity. A brighter light will undoubtedly help a cyclist be seen, but it is the flash pattern that will help a cyclist be noticed. While most taillights utilize a standard steady flash pattern, Bontrager’s lights vary their intensity and pattern to be more noticeable in daylight.
In addition to the focus and flash, an extended range was a key consideration in developing Bontrager’s Daytime Running Lights. Depending on the particular model, Bontrager’s new lights are claimed to be visible in daylight from 400m to over 2 kilometres away.
Bontrager’s full range of Daytime Running Lights is available online at trekbikes.com and at authorized Trek and Bontrager retailers throughout the world.
