Cycling in the Dark

By Sara Ferris

Bicyclists can ride more safely at night thanks to a new wireless lighting system that includes the ability to signal turns.

UKdesign consultant Gavin Thomson Design Limited used SolidWorks to develop the design for the Bicygnals.   The company was founded in 2005 in Surrey by industrial designer Gavin Thomson,  who has done work for clients such as British Airways, Ford, Samsung, and Virgin Atlantic.

Bicygnals attach to a bicycle’s handlebar and seat post to provide the ability to signal turns.

The product features two sets of lights that easily detach and clip together in their own carrying case. The front unit mounts on the handlebars with wraparound lighting so motorists on the side can see the lights as well as the orange turn signals. The other unit attaches to the seat post and features red lights with orange turn signals. The turn signal controls are positioned on the front unit so the cyclist can activate them without taking his or her hands off the handlebar.

The front unit features white LEDs, and the rear has red LEDs. The turn indicators use orange LEDs. The lights curve so that the turn indicators are visible to the side of the bicycle as well.

  From an engineering perspective, this product is very complex, between the ergonomics, the sleek surfacing, the molding, and the electronics,  said Thomson. Unlike most CAD products on the market, SolidWorks allowed us to be very inventive, very precise, and very fast at the same time. It gave us the confidence that what we were creating was accurate and manufacturable.’ That’s a significant benefit when you’re designing for competitive retail markets.

Thomson and his design team praise SolidWorks for its streamlined design steps, including the parametric features that automate changes throughout a design. The software’s ability to handle the variety of different CAD formats the company’s partners,  suppliers, and customers use ensures that everyone clearly understands each design, reducing errors and speeding time to market.

Sources:  Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.