Turn Signals for Bicyclists! (DIY)

June 26th, 2012 by Zachary Shahan

Why didn’t someone come up with this a long time ago?! Turn signals for bicyclists would be very useful and could go a long way towards reducing bicycle-vehicle collisions.

From lifehacker:

Unfortunately, few people know hand signals anymore, so Instructables user CTY1995 decided to make his own wearable turn signals that he could put on his arms and turn on by lifting his arm up from his side.

The beauty of these turn signals is that they use a mercury tilt switch and some electroluminescent (EL) panels that light up to show big bright arrows every time he lifts up the arm that corresponds with the direction he wants to move. Combined with some Velcro and armbands, the panels make a comfortable, wearable gadget that can make your bike ride much safer. Best of all, the tilt switch is sensitive enough that you don’t have to start waving your arm wildly in the air to turn it on—just a slight lift will do the trick, and everyone around you will know where you’re going.

Learn more about the DIY bicycle turn signals and how to create them on this Instructables post: Automatic Activated Blink Signal.

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Tags: DIY

About the Author

Zachary Shahan spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as the director/chief editor. Otherwise, he's probably enthusiastically fulfilling his duties as the director/editor of Solar Love, EV Obsession, Planetsave, or Bikocity. Zach is recognized globally as a solar energy, electric car, and wind energy expert. If you would like him to speak at a related conference or event, connect with him via social media. You can connect with Zach on any popular social networking site you like. Links to all of his main social media profiles are on ZacharyShahan.com.