TECH
We shed some light on a trend that has made its way from Volvos to velos, is backed up by accident data and now has a pro cyclist-led campaign behind it, writes Simon Smythe
In February we reported on the launch of a new campaign to encourage cyclists to use daytime running lights – Be Bright Wear A Light.
The initiative, backed by riders including two-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar and former world champion Elisa Balsamo, was created by Cofidis rider Rachel Neylan, who told CW that she felt a “real compulsion” to do something about cycling safety after a spate of high-profile incidents.
Italian veteran Classics star Davide Rebellin was killed by a lorry in November 2022. Then in February 2023 Spanish neo-pro Estela Domínguez died after being hit during a training ride.
“Cities and regional towns are getting busier, every single place where cyclists go, even if it used to be less populated by cars,” said Neylan. “Especially since Covid we’re seeing a lot more travel, and the roads aren’t safe for cyclists any more.
“We’re not saying this is a cure, there are obviously enormous other aspects to this problem, but this is one thing we can control, our own visibility.”
Ironically, the car industry has been pushing daytime running lights for decades. Sweden made DRLs mandatory as long ago as 1977 and in 2011 all new cars launched in the UK and Europe were required by law to be fitted with daytime running lights, with the UK government claiming: “Research has shown that DRLs are likely to reduce multiple vehicle daytime accidents and fatalities by up to 6% once all vehicles are equipped.”
Cycling has its own data: the most frequently quoted study was carried out in Odense, Denmark, in 2004 and 2005 (Madsen et al.): “Permanent running lights” were mounted to 1,845 bicycles and the accident rate was recorded through 12 months for this group and compared with a control group of 2,000 cyclists without DRLs. The study found that the incidence rate, including all recorded bicycle accidents with personal injury to the participating cyclist, was 19% lower for the DR L-equipped cyclists.
Trek uses the Madsen study in the marketing of its daytime-specific Bontrager FlareR lights, but goes further and claims that: “Research shows a 33% decrease in accidents for bicycles outfitted with daytime running lights” and says you are 230% more noticeable with a rear DRL. “If you do only one thing, do this,” is Trek’s message.
Environment sensors
British brand See.Sense produces smart lights that use sensors making them react to their environment, changing the flash pattern as a vehicle approaches, for example, but which can also s
