Our recent post on the growing popularity of 360 degree cycle reflectors points out the (essential) benefits that 'all around' high visibility reflective safety gadgets & devices have over old fashioned flat reflective devices. TubeBright is a 360 degrees reflector which has some unique differences from its sister product MovoBright. Whilst MovoBright attracts attention by coupling powerful reflected light through 360 degrees with motion, TubeBright's unique characteristic is that it can be mounted on the tube or down tube to give excellent 360 degrees reflection from both sides at the same time. TubeBright is 180mm in length and extremely lightweight at just 20g and is constructed from the same winning robust flexible reflective build that MovoBright is made from (both are manufactured using 3M Scotchlite Reflective Material). This is why a single velcro mount (also hi viz) is sufficient to secure TubeBright to tube of up to 45mm diametre. Since TubeBright is made from Scotchlight it can be seen from up to 1000 feet and from 360 degrees. TubeBright's 360 Reflector's physical characteristics mean its retro-reflective capabilities are much improved for larger vehicles such as articulated lorries, buses, trucks and vans where the drivers observation angle is much greater than that of a car drivers because his/her head is many feet above the beam emitted by his/her vehicle's headlights. The impact that TubeBright gives could not realistically be achieved using a powered 360 degree light as this would be likely to be irritation if not distracting to the cyclist. As the reflective qualities do not change the appearance of TubeBright to the cyclist he/she remains undistracted. Therefore the level of reflection given to all types and sizes of vehicle approaching from either side of cyclists is maximized. So could TubeBright be cycling's first Side Impact Protection System? Well perhaps not in the sense of the air inflation system first invented by Volvo. But it certainly aims to be a Side Impact Prevention System using 360 degree reflective material.
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World's first 360 degree cycle reflector: MovoBright The UK cycle accessory market is massive. In 2010 we spent £667m on cycling accessories to keep us upright, moving forward and safe. With the cycle lighting market churning out ever more powerful innovations, is there still a place for the reflector? We think so, but future reflectors will need to boast improved characteristics and capabilities such as 360 degree reflective properties if they're to have a bright future. John Schubert's published article on 'Cycle Sense - Why Reflectors Don't Work' might be more appropriately entitled '...Why Flat Surface Reflectors Don't Work'. Schubert advocates lights over reflectors (fitted reflectors are law in some US states). We agree that lights are always essential and Schubert's article puts nicely under the spotlight (excuse pun) the ineffectiveness of the flat reflector. But reflectors do remain essential for many reasons; They can be very effective. They require no power (eco+). They're essential as a back-up. Often they're transferable from bike to person (backpack etc.). MovoBright 360 degrees reflective safety device is the worlds first 360° reflector for cyclists. Because this reflector is cylindrical means that it greatly mitigates the problems associated with entrance angles and observation angles mentioned in Schubert's work. In other words the 360° reflective design is far more effective at reflecting light back to its source from vehicles all around than standard flat reflectors. Another characteristic that makes MovoBright 360 degrees reflector so effective and therefore the safest reflector available is that it's designed to move. For centuries mankind has used light coupled with movement to attract attention; think lighthouses for example. When hung from a backpack or saddle rail MovoBright reflects light brightly from 360 degrees all around. MovoBright's brightness coupled with its movement greatly increases motorists' attention. Summary: Standard flat reflectors are less than effective (read Schubert's article) like yesterdays newspapers and 360 degree reflectors & visibility aids such as MovoBright are definitely in. |