Bicyclists in urban areas are often forced to interact with motorists in close proximity, which creates safety conflicts and leads to thousands of injuries every year. For cyclists who ride cautiously and in compliance with the law, the cause of these accidents is generally due to the motorists’ lack of attention to cyclists and other pedestrians that are using their shared roadways.

Every year, new innovations are designed to increase the visibility of cyclists, or to otherwise improve a cyclist’s ability to interact with the urban environment. While the use of technology such as this is not a replacement for safe cycling habits and techniques, every little bit helps! Two devices which bear mention are the following:

1. Zackees – These are riding gloves that include illuminated turn signals, which are designed to call motorists’ attention to a cyclist’s intent to turn. A cyclist’s visibility to motorists, particularly at night, is frequently cited as a contributing factor to collisions. Forward and rear facing lights, as well as reflectors, are generally required by law when using a bicycle at night.

However, the risk of collision is further increased when cyclists are required to cross the path of motorists or otherwise change course. The intent of illuminated cycling gloves is to increase visibility of the cyclist and to call specific attention to the intended turn in a manner motorists are accustomed to seeing while driving.

2. Morpher Helmet – This is a collapsible bicycle helmet which folds flat when not in use. It should come as no surprise that wearing a helmet is by far one of the best things a cyclist can do to increase their personal safety while riding. In the state of New Jersey, the use of a helmet is required by law for all juveniles, but this varies across the country.

One of the principal reasons cyclists say they do not wear a helmet is due to the lack of portability. There is really no convenient place to put a big, bulky helmet when the bike is not in use, and this is particularly true amongst persons who use their bikes to commute. The collapsible helmet is designed to solve this problem by allowing the helmet to fold up for convenient storage in a bag, purse, briefcase, etc., when not in use.