Cycling lighting Solutions - for my Dad who’s got Alzheimer’s

Wasn’t sure where to put this but thought misc would get the most traction.

My Dad has Alzheimer’s but loves riding his bike. He doesn’t think anything of riding his bike at night and doesn’t have any lights, nor would he remember to turn the lights on if he had any.

Are there any lighting solutions that are permanently on regardless? Or something that will be reflective to cars so can be seen without him having to turn anything on?

Dynamo wheel and light set. All he would need to do is pedal

I’d be tempted to cover any/all surfaces with reflective 3M tape.

A dynamo set up would be the reliable answer - doesn't have to be super costly. I've actually got a (non-disc) hub and a set of front/rear lights I'm going to sell if you're interested in building/having a wheel built.

He’s got a la Pierre sensium

As other have said, a dynamo set up.

Not only does he not need to turn them on, he also never needs to remember to change/charge batteries.

Thanks Hive Mind

Would also suggest supergluing the switch into the on position. I don’t have Alzheimer’s and have on occasion switched the light off when it was on.

Remove the switch. Or make it inaccessible.

Either of those sound like good options. It would be better without the switch

Sorry to hear about your dad's condition! Hopefully he'll be able to keep his independence but if he does find he's struggling to cycle on his own, Bikeworks offer all ability clubs and cycle taxi services in a few different places in London. The cycle taxi would get him out and about with a bit of company and someone else piloting whilst he pedals. The all ability clubs have loads of adapted cycles and a bit of supervision/support.

Here's a link

I’m sure there are dynamo lights without a switch. I have quite a nice B&M one where the switch only works once the light has power, means that fiddling with it stationary won’t do anything but also means it’s kinda a pain in the area to put it back on if you do turn it off.

Maybe worth noting I’ve noticed in the past 6 months to a year been asked to turn my lights off in train stations. Don’t recall being asked to do this before so maybe there’s some new rules or something. Might not be an issue if he doesn’t take the bike on the train at all.

aybe worth noting I’ve noticed in the past 6 months to a year been asked to turn my lights off in train stations. Don’t recall being asked to do this before so maybe there’s some new rules or something.

It's so that your tail light isn't misinterpreted by the train driver for being a signal.

Or the headlight, presumably. Just yesterday I saw platform signalling being done using a torchlight.

Some dynamo lights have an auto function which switches them on when it gets dark. You could just fix the switch in that position:

https://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/busch-and-muller-iq-fly-senso-plus-light-tested.html

Just to add, cycling is awesome for dementia as it maintains fitness and independence. I worked briefly with someone who built a system with a static cycle linked to a projector and google maps so that people with dementia in care homes could explore areas that were familiar to them "by bike".

Aye, I assumed that was what it was. Can’t remember being asked to put out off until recently though.

Reflective 3M tape is a good suggestion.

It doesn't have to look shit either. You can get it in black, so if you're thoughtful it's not hard to do pinstripes or say block rectangles on the back of the seatpost, headtube, stays, etc. On one bike I bought a cheap craft star shaped cutter and put black stars on my black wheels.

Also reflectors on the pedals are great for viability from a drivers pov as they're usually moving.

There's a reason why bikes are all meant to be sold with front and rear reflectors.

Sadly another consideration would be him getting lost. I don't know much about air tags but I would consider securely sticking one under the saddle. If he left his bike and wandered then it could provide a start point to commence the search.

Yeah, is your dad okay on his own on the bike? Can he go for his ride with a family member or support worker instead? I'm sure you guys are all over it but I can't help but feel he won't be very safe out there riding on his own.

Thanks for the kind words and advice, it’s really appreciated.

I’ve booked his bike to have a dynamo and lights fitted.

I’ve got AirTags on his bike, house keys and getting him a new coat soon. So AirTag in there too.

They’ve been well worth it. Couldn’t recommend d them more.