Traffic Signal Backpack

http://www.lostateminor.com/2010/10/16/traffic-signal-backpack/

Thought this was a pretty neat invention.....

Nice idea but I wouldn't want it as a back pack. Would be better as a jacket.

Some immediate observations:
1) a rainy windscreen would turn the signal into a blob of light
2) only good if you're sitting fairly upright
3) drivers would laugh at you and bully you
4) if they got even vaguely popular, drivers might rely on looking out for it and not notice proper hand signals (similar argument for flouro stuff no?)
5) the girl in the video doesn't even look around when she's turning off...

etc

That music made me want to see her get t-boned by a truck

i like it. prob wouldnt buy but good idea. good movie too.

Cheesy. What TSK said about the jacket. And the emoticons?

Some immediate observations:
1) a rainy windscreen would turn the signal into a blob of light
2) only good if you're sitting fairly upright
3) drivers would laugh at you and bully you
4) if they got even vaguely popular, drivers might rely on looking out for it and not notice proper hand signals (similar argument for flouro stuff no?)
5) the girl in the video doesn't even look around when she's turning off...

etc

1) A blob of light is a good thing on a rainy day. Still improves visibility.
2) A back pack could be designed to be less position dependant.
3) I doubt it. No more than they do anyway.
4) Not really. If would have to be so popular as to be adopted by more than 50% of the riding population, probably even more than that. Also, I don't wear fluoro and don't find visibility to be a problem. Visibility is about more than just what clothes you wear.
5) Relevant to the usefulness of the product how?

I agree with phi_pp, I wouldn't buy one either. I do like to see some people making an effort with design, espcially for cyclists, where so much stuff bought to market is dull and indistinguishable from anything else.

Nice idea but I wouldn't want it as a back pack. Would be better as a jacket.

like this?

Or this?

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/08/reactiv_cycling.php

That music made me want to see her get t-boned by a truck

You seem like a lovely chap.

1) A blob of light is a good thing on a rainy day. Still improves visibility.
2) A back pack could be designed to be less position dependant.
3) I doubt it. No more than they do anyway.
4) Not really. If would have to be so popular as to be adopted by more than 50% of the riding population, probably even more than that. Also, I don't wear fluoro and don't find visibility to be a problem. Visibility is about more than just what clothes you wear.
5) Relevant to the usefulness of the product how?

1) but a blob of light doesn't say right or left, just.. blob of light.
2) yeah you're right, or maybe scrap the bag idea and just have it as an attachment to whatever you're wearing?
5) possibly that riders might rely on the signals too much

a load of bloody hipster nonsense - if i cycle in all weathers and sometimes without a bag, both are at least partly useless or unnecessarily cumbersome - as with a lot of design student toss, function follows form by a country mile . it's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist - about as innovative as the pen watch of the '80s - just bang two existent and mature products together and reduce the usability of both.

if i wanted to siganl to other road users with lights i might have a look at how this has been solved already about a century ago - -motor bikes - lights on the bike that aren' reliant on me wearing a particular item of clothing

if you must do it , how about a simple light cluster for the back of the bike?
this may not have been executed very well but at least it wasn;'t mudered before it even got to the drawing board:

[ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0017TNLZE/ref=asc_df_B0017TNLZE1109678?smid=A2JBFS5W3CD0IU&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22218&creativeASIN=B0017TNLZE"]Eurolight Cycle Indicator Set Includes Rear Light/Brakelight/Indicators: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Leisure[/ame]

if you want lights on your bike

...............................put lights on your bike

Back light front light not to see, but to be seen. Simple

you're right i can't see the point of the brake light over a good rear light - turn lights might be a nice idea but if too close together then confusing. - and not expected from the driver - these look a good idea -

http://www.safe-turn.co.uk/bicycle-indicator-lights.php

though obviously not very trendy (and not seen from front and back - why wasn't his a band of light that shone forwards and backwards? ).

i have had problems signaling in the dark and now i use the reflective wrist bands with LEDs in (aldi 4 gbp )

Well I'm glad you all have an opinion

I do like it, but what if something goes wrong with the electrics? I'd happily wear something like that but I'd always back it up with hand signals.

not enough screen space to display "tailgate me any closer and i'll come in through your passenger-side window and kill you"
not angry, just saying.

not enough screen space to display "tailgate me any closer and i'll come in through your passenger-side window and kill you"
not angry, just saying.

This particular problem has already been solved: http://bestofferbuy.com/Customizable-Text-Dot-Matrix-White-LED-Scrolling-Message-Display-Belt-Buckle-p-20312.html?currency=GBP&utm_source=gbase&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=gbase

so cheap too. thanks bothwell, will be ordering one and thinking of text to input to it. suggestions accepted.

"suck my teeth"

It's a nice gimmick, like many, but it won't catch on, and as has been touched on, may engender or perpetuate bad riding habits, e.g. people looking behind too rarely.