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Re: University Project - Product to Improve Cyclist Safety

Posted: 27 Oct 2012, 9:20am
by Mark1978
Yes saw that a couple on months ago. It will look good in the photos but useless in real life!

Re: University Project - Product to Improve Cyclist Safety

Posted: 27 Oct 2012, 9:46pm
by Ayesha
basingstoke123 wrote:
SleepyJoe wrote:Instead of a spike on the end of a stick, I have often thought that a paint ball automatically triggered by a proximity sensor would automatically let motorist know when they are too close!
Even better would be a vertical array which could print (dot matrix style) a suitable message.
Of course it would have to weigh nothing.
Mark


I've had similar thoughts from time to time. It would also have to tell the difference between when I get close to something as opposed to something getting too close to me. Wouldn't want it painting/printing/scratching my own car as I squeeze past it to set off :!:


A simple computer would be able to calculate the incoming velocity and direction of an object with two passive infra-red detectors. The simple computer could also be sent vehicle speed from the car's own engine management system.
Therefore, the simple computer can use trigonometric algorithms to determine whether the object is moving with relation to the tarmac. If it is and it is on a collision course, photon torpedoes are fired. If the car is moving and the object isn't, avoidance tactics are employed. If avoidance tactics will fail, raise shields Mr Scott.

The ultimate system is an electromagnetic vacuum tunnel. A charge is projected ahead of the bicycle which creates a vacuum by expelling all matter, whatever its mass. The tunnel is conical in shape as to eliminate the sonic effects of swiftly accelerating fluid ( sonic boom ). The vacuum ceases by reducing down to nothing a few inches ahead of the bicycle so the rider can breath. All that will be present around the cyclist is fresh air. Large objects such as cars will have been swept aside to be left resting on the hedgerow or pavement.
Hasn't anyone thought how disk shaped objects can travel through the atmosphere AND ocean without causing a sonic boom or big splash?
For ease of climbing a hill, a mercury vortex device creates a sphere of independent gravity around the bicycle. This renders the bicycle AND rider weightless. Due to being inside an independent sphere of gravity, inertia with relation to Earth's gravity does not exist. The bicycle and rider can accelerate at ANY rate without any ill effects.
Hasn't anyone thought how disk shaped objects can accelerate and change direction instantaneously? :wink:

Re: University Project - Product to Improve Cyclist Safety

Posted: 28 Oct 2012, 10:16am
by reohn2
hubgearfreak wrote:
Sam Neilson wrote: become increasingly aware of the potential dangers and hazards of cycling on UK roads. Therefore the idea to develop a new product to improve cyclist safety by positively changing the way other road-users behave towards cyclists has been brought forward.


the answer, i believe, will come with a change in the law. instigated by a politician with a backbone that is willing to do the right thing. i fail to see how any product will improve the situation? although i fail to see any politicains with either backbones or willing to do the right thing, let alone both :roll:

+1
And a policeforce.

Re: University Project - Product to Improve Cyclist Safety

Posted: 28 Oct 2012, 10:27am
by reohn2
gaz wrote:
WaterLab Rat wrote:.... At other times I have thought if there was some way of displaying your speed to other road users they might think twice before moving into the path of the 'slow bicycle' doing 20+ mph....

I'm sure I've read about a "speed display vest" before either on the forum of in Cycle. I'll have a search around and see if I can come up with anything.

Found it, Speed Vest.


It wouldn't go miss to have the same thing displayed in the rear window of motor vehicles too! :wink:

Re: University Project - Product to Improve Cyclist Safety

Posted: 28 Oct 2012, 10:37am
by Sam Neilson
Thanks very much for all the responses and surveys completed so far guys! Please keep them coming.

Have to say I've enjoyed some of the responses. The multiple suggestions to add spikes and lasers was one of the first suggestions we made to combat this problem (don't know if the amount of support for it is alarming though..). For those who are interested in a neat solution that's similar but a bit more toasty should check this out https://www.eta.co.uk/2010/09/29/bond-b ... e-thrower/

What appears to be a major problem is side visibility and making the cyclist more conspicuous to other vehicles (increasing visibility of relative size of the cyclist perhaps to prevent drivers getting too close, here a product called Revolights seems a pretty cool idea http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UvO3QITwkU). I feel whatever is eventually designed has to make the driver react without realising it, appealing to their subconscious. Products like the Light Lane that mattsccm and Mark1978 mentioned do seem effective but whether a driver would notice the light in their field of vision close up is another thing and even less so during the day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix2sNGhXJ2c.

Also products that make a point of threatening other road-users with a camera if they get too close could make them act the opposite and encourage them to act negatively towards a cyclist, like the use of 'Baby on Board' signs for instance which have been known to make cars purposefully drive closer to the other vehicles. Don't get me wrong I think helmet cameras are a great idea for this application, but they are more a form of insurance for yourself if anything does happen rather than making sure road-users react better towards you. One product I've found particularly ingenious is this http://www.highvisibility.uk.com/cyclin ... -waistcoat for obvious reasons it appears to change other road-users behaviour.

Re: University Project - Product to Improve Cyclist Safety

Posted: 28 Oct 2012, 4:10pm
by [XAP]Bob
I think the support for weapons is mostly a facetious response to what appears to be a naive attempt to make a 'simple, cheap, light' device that will change the way people drive.

In reality the best solution is called the police, more of them, with a justice system willing to deal with the dangers on our roads before they become fatal. Most dangerous drivers will probably never kill anyone - that doesn't mean they aren't dangerous, it means they are lucky. Frankly I don't want to be relying on their luck - I want them not to be driving like that.

Either that or have everyone on bikes all the time - then no one has enough kinetic energy to virtually guarantee death on impact.

Re: University Project - Product to Improve Cyclist Safety

Posted: 28 Oct 2012, 4:43pm
by Sam Neilson
I agree [XAP]Bob. If I could actually suggest it the product would be a free handbook of the Highway Code given to all parties involved to ensure there is clarification on how motorists and cyclists should adhere to the laws of the road, or even as you say a greater police presence. Then there would be a lesser need for cyclists to invest in the extent of available safety measures today, and I'd be doing a different project.

Again this is a piece of coursework so I can understand the potential naivety behind what I'm trying to do in such a short space of time. But in doing so I want to do it properly and understand as many issues faced as possible.

Re: University Project - Product to Improve Cyclist Safety

Posted: 28 Oct 2012, 6:18pm
by [XAP]Bob
Yes, naive wasn't meant as an insult, thanks for not taking it as one :)

My problem with the project is just that it's likely to be directed at the wring group of people (generally cyclists don't cause the danger).

One of the oft quoted 'surprisingly effective' devices is actually those orange reflectors on a swing arm from the chainstay.

Something similar might be effective - or maybe something which indicates 'dooring' distance?

Re: University Project - Product to Improve Cyclist Safety

Posted: 28 Oct 2012, 8:02pm
by PhilWhitehurst
A holographic projection system that makes me look like another car on the road

Re: University Project - Product to Improve Cyclist Safety

Posted: 28 Oct 2012, 8:28pm
by [XAP]Bob
PhilWhitehurst wrote:A holographic projection system that makes me look like another car on the road

I just want to see what happens when you leave it on and filter past a queue.

Re: University Project - Product to Improve Cyclist Safety

Posted: 29 Oct 2012, 7:47pm
by Elizabethsdad
[XAP]Bob wrote:Yes, naive wasn't meant as an insult, thanks for not taking it as one :)

My problem with the project is just that it's likely to be directed at the wring group of people (generally cyclists don't cause the danger).

One of the oft quoted 'surprisingly effective' devices is actually those orange reflectors on a swing arm from the chainstay.

Something similar might be effective - or maybe something which indicates 'dooring' distance?

How about something that sticks out more the faster you are going and automatically retracts below a certain speed? Could have a manual setting as well. Maybe even one which senses the speed of cars coming up behind and sticks out further the faster they are going.

Re: University Project - Product to Improve Cyclist Safety

Posted: 30 Oct 2012, 2:17pm
by Velocio
...I have just completed Sam's survey ...but took issue with the question "...have you ever had an accident ...as the result of cycling?"

I have had an accident while cycling ...not as a result of me cycling ...but as the result of a hit-and-run driver hitting me from behind ...throwing me off my bike ...leading to cuts and injuries

With regards to the "Design of a Light Weight / Low Cost Product to Improve the Safety of Cyclists on Roads"...

SIMPLES!!!

...a road sign ...for all roads ...except Motorways ...which says....

"NO CARS"

:)

Re: University Project - Product to Improve Cyclist Safety

Posted: 30 Oct 2012, 2:34pm
by Russcoles
If a cigarette packet has to have that huge health warning because smoking is dangerous, why not put them on cars. If manufacturers had to put images of road accidents on the middle of the steering wheel instead of their logo, maybe drivers would get the message? i

Re: University Project - Product to Improve Cyclist Safety

Posted: 30 Oct 2012, 2:43pm
by Si
Velocio wrote:...I have just completed Sam's survey ...but took issue with the question "...have you ever had an accident ...as the result of cycling?"

I have had an accident while cycling ...not as a result of me cycling ...but as the result of a hit-and-run driver hitting me from behind ...throwing me off my bike ...leading to cuts and injuries



Indeed, my other beef was about the use of the word "accident"... I've had plenty of incidents and crashes while on the bike but no accidents - all were someone's fault (either my own or someone elses) and thus could have been prevented with more care and attention - so not accidental.

Re: University Project - Product to Improve Cyclist Safety

Posted: 30 Oct 2012, 5:10pm
by [XAP]Bob
Russcoles wrote:If a cigarette packet has to have that huge health warning because smoking is dangerous, why not put them on cars. If manufacturers had to put images of road accidents on the middle of the steering wheel instead of their logo, maybe drivers would get the message? i

+1

Slightly less problematic than a spike as well...

How many people does passive smoking kill each year?