[sustran] Re: Give cyclist a safety wing

chuwa chuwasg at yahoo.com
Thu Aug 26 07:02:57 JST 2010


Dear Sujit, Sudhir,

In case the original intention has been lost here is an easy link to the 
proposed concept.
http://urbanvelo.org/cyclist-wing/

The "cyclist wing" is never proposed as a compulsory item for cyclist. It is a 
personal judgement of individual cyclist to decide if such item help their own 
safety, depends on their own environment and their riding style.

I have never suggest cars have a "birth-right" to charge along streets used by 
living beings. In fact I advocate the opposite - car-drivers should not have 
rights over cyclists and pedestrians. 

I agree with you that society must devise ways through which pedestrian and 
cyclist safety is absolutely ensured. But this will take times, may be years. 
In the meantime any method that can improve the safety of the more vulnerable 
cyclists should be allowed.

Best regards,
Chu Wa



________________________________
From: Sujit Patwardhan <patwardhan.sujit at gmail.com>
To: chuwa <chuwasg at yahoo.com>
Cc: Sudhir <sudhir at cai-asia.org>; Rutul Joshi <joshirutul at yahoo.co.in>; 
Carlosfelipe Pardo <carlosfpardo at gmail.com>; Sustran-discuss List 
<Sustran-discuss at list.jca.apc.org>
Sent: Thu, August 26, 2010 1:13:01 AM
Subject: Re: [sustran] Re: Give cyclist a safety wing

25 August 2010




My reaction is similar to Sudhir's but perhaps a little stronger.

I'm amazed to see efforts on trying to make the cyclist visible through one 
smart idea after another! While it is logical that pedestrians and cyclists 
being a vulnerable group should avoid wearing clothes that may make them 
invisible to the driver of a vehicle that may hit them with serious results (to 
the walker or the cyclist) surely the onus of finding a solution 

to the danger from auto vehicles (cars, motorised two wheelers, SUVs, trucks, 
buses,  etc)  should not be on the shoulders of the potential victims. 


Surely we (as the society) must devise ways through which pedestrian and cyclist 
safety is absolutely ensured. If this means putting in place foolproof ways to 
ensure low vehicle speeds, traffic calming methods, narrowing of road widths, 
increasing car-free areas in high human density zones, strict enforcement and 
strong punishments for violators etc so be it. 


Why should we accept that cars have a "birth-right" to charge along streets used 
by living beings (as against the race tracks for example) while those most 
likely to be hit by cars must devise ways to keep themselves safe?

--
Sujit










On Wed, Aug 25, 2010 at 6:40 PM, chuwa <chuwasg at yahoo.com> wrote:

I am very aware of the limited attention that can be spared by a driver -
>because I am not a very skillful and a bit slow reacting. From a driver's
>perspective, I believe it is easier to avoid hitting an obvious object than to
>avoid an small or invisible object.
>
>I also heard a theory about "hyper-illumination". It goes like, if one cyclist
>become too illuminated (e.g. the one with cyclist wing) , then driver's
>attention to other cyclists will be suppressed. So it is selfish to wear
>something very bright because it undermine those who do not wear bright colors.
>
>What do you think?
>
>
>
>
>
>________________________________
>From: Sudhir <sudhir at cai-asia.org>
>To: Rutul Joshi <joshirutul at yahoo.co.in>
>
>Cc: Sustran-discuss List <Sustran-discuss at list.jca.apc.org>
>Sent: Wed, August 25, 2010 8:40:48 PM
>
>Subject: [sustran] Re: Give cyclist a safety wing
>
>Hi all,
>
>On similar lines... many traffic police across India suggests people to wear
>light colored cloths during night while walking for safety reasons... I
>would argue that its shameful on our part to expect people to wear special
>uniforms while walking so that they are visible to drivers...
>
>http://www.punepolice.com/TRAFFIC.html#some  - see advice to Pedestrians...
>
>Hi Rutul - See
>http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/publications/road_traffic/world_report/visibility_en.pdf
>
>
>
>*Colourful clothing, accessories and vehicle parts can make pedestrians,
>riders and non-motorized vehicles more visible to all road users. Brightly
>coloured clothing or accessories may be suitable alternatives to the
>reflective vests that are used in high-income countries. The use of bright
>colours for wheels and rear ends of non-motorized vehicles (e.g. rickshaws)
>may also have the potential to increase visibility. However, the actual
>effectiveness of such measures has yet to be determined.*
>
>regards
>Sudhir
>
>
>On 25 August 2010 20:22, Rutul Joshi <joshirutul at yahoo.co.in> wrote:
>
>> Hi Carlos,
>>
>> Yes, I agree with you take on it. The WW2 comparison is not relevant. It
>> was a
>> bit impulsive.
>>
>> However, are there any studies which say that wearing reflective
>> bands/high-visibility clothing increases the road safety for the cyclists?
>>
>> Rutul
>>
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: Carlosfelipe Pardo <carlosfpardo at gmail.com>
>> Cc: Sustran-discuss List <Sustran-discuss at list.jca.apc.org>
>> Sent: Wed, 25 August, 2010 12:00:00 PM
>> Subject: [sustran] Re: Give cyclist a safety wing
>>
>>  Hi,
>>
>> I also used that outfit when I cycled in London, and actually continue
>> to use it here in Bogotá though nobody wears anything similar (they all
>> have reflective bands). I used it then and use it now (especially the
>> jacket) because of rain issues, not so much with the visibility
>> argument. I think it's more like a small fashion statement in London,
>> sort of like "I am riding a bike"...I know, they also have a bike
>> between their legs which makes it kind of obvious for everyone to see
>> what they're doing... I'm not sure if we can compare this with WW2! But
>> anyway, it's a useful discussion.
>>
>> Carlos.
>>
>> On 23/08/2010 12:00 p.m., Rutul Joshi wrote:
>> > Hi,
>> >
>> > This is interesting. But I have a slightly different take on this. I am
>> > not critiquing Chu Wa's design but making a general comment on the state
>> of
>> > affairs in our cities.
>> >
>> > I am a new cyclist in Bristol (which UK's 'first cycling city' - I don't
>> know
>> > what it means). Imitating the people around me, I have also started
>> wearing
>> > high-visibility clothing/bands (and a helmet) - which I am told is for my
>> own
>> > safety. I have always wondered as a cyclist that why do I need to wear
>> things
>> > and shout that "I am here, please see me". What have I done wrong? I
>> might be
>> >an
>> > outsider to the culture here but I am not comfortable with this whole
>> idea of
>> > high-visible clothing/bands. Of course, they are no legal requirements to
>> wear
>> > them. When I see lot of cyclists (including me) wearing them, I end
>> > up associating it with the identification marks that Jews were supposed
>> to
>> wear
>> > in the Nazi occupied countries during the second world war. I might be
>> wrong
>> in
>> > this association completely but the sad truth remains - it is the
>> cyclists who
>> > end up wearing things in name of safety!
>> >
>> > Rutul
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > ________________________________
>> > From: CarlosfelipePardo<carlosfpardo at gmail.com>
>> > Cc: Sustran-discuss List<Sustran-discuss at list.jca.apc.org>
>> > Sent: Mon, 23 August, 2010 6:45:23 AM
>> > Subject: [sustran] Re: Give cyclist a safety wing
>> >
>> >    Hi,
>> >
>> > This is very interesting! I am also wondering how much the "minimum"
>> > drag actually is, which I guess you'll know from your tests. But also, I
>> > think cyclists don't really need to clean the air as they anyway "do so"
>> > by riding the bicycle already... what I mean is that I think the concept
>> > of the wing should be symbolic (i.e. it doesn't really need to have
>> > filters etc but just remind people that bicycles don't have exhausts or
>> > emissions when riding). I say it because in your slides you seem to
>> > point towards car users being angry at cyclists for not paying road tax
>> > (which they do in virtually all countries anyway, despite the blatant
>> > ignorance of motorists), so possibly reminding them of the benefits that
>> > each cyclists gives to a city in terms of emissions not generated is
>> > most significant and should be applauded.
>> >
>> > Best regards,
>> >
>> > Carlos.
>> >
>> > On 21/08/2010 05:47 p.m., chuwa wrote:
>> >> Hi Ian,
>> >>
>> >> Thanks for being the first to response. Your question give me the
>> opportunity
>> >> to
>> >> elaborate on the idea:
>> >>
>> >> How much drag is there on the cyclist?
>> >> - The air drag of the wing for slower cyclist is minimum. The wing is
>> not
>> >> suitable for fast roadies. It is intended to make "Potential" cyclists
>> to be
>> >> more comfortable on the road, knowing that they are now more visible to
>> other
>> >> car drivers.
>> >>
>> >> There is less space for others and overtaking by other cyclists becomes
>> >> more hazardous?
>> >> - The size of the wing as presented can be adjusted to make it less
>> obtrusive.
>> >> The structure of the wing is soft and flexible. When it is in contact
>> with a
>> > by
>> >> passing cyclist or car, it should just give way a glides smoothly.
>> >>
>> >> Road tax when it exists can never pay for the cost of roads
>> (construction
>> >> and maintenance ) but it is a deep believe for many drivers.
>> >> The intention of the air-filter is to bring the issue of
>> >> car-induced-air-pollution up for public discussion - hopefully it bring
>> out
>> >> other car-induced-social burden along the way.
>> >>
>> >> I will be testing out prototypes soon. If interested I will share the
>> finding
>> >> here.
>> >>
>> >> Best regards,
>> >>
>> >> Chuwa
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> ________________________________
>> >> From: Ian Perry<ianenvironmental at googlemail.com>
>> >> Cc: Sustran-discuss List<Sustran-discuss at list.jca.apc.org>
>> >> Sent: Sat, August 21, 2010 9:12:24 PM
>> >> Subject: [sustran] Re: Give cyclist a safety wing
>> >>
>> >> Hi ChuWa,
>> >>
>> >> This is an interesting idea.  Has this been tested in windy conditions
>> and
>> >> how much drag is there on the cyclist?  I'd be worried about being blown
>> >> backwards in strong winds.  In the event of a strong gust of crosswind,
>> what
>> >> happens to the cyclist, and any other cyclist alongside them?  Does the
>> >> "Cyclist Wing" make it more difficult for other cyclists to use the road
>> -
>> >> as there is less space for others and overtaking by other cyclists
>> becomes
>> >> more hazardous?
>> >>
>> >> There are similar products already such as "safety" flags:
>> >> http://americansafetyflag.com/products-page/?category=20&product_id=36
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Cyclists on the street space that motorists believe is theirs do need to
>> >> take ownership of a larger area than many do to be safe.  I think it is
>> >> possible that people who are afraid to use a bicycle on the road would
>> feel
>> >> more comfortable on a larger cargo tricycle.
>> >>
>> >> n the UK, most motorists believe that they have a right to use the road
>> >> because the have paid "Road Tax".  I have had a car for 20 years, but I
>> have
>> >> never paid "Road Tax".  I'm not illegal, Winston Churchill abolished
>> "Road
>> >> Tax" in the UK in 1937 - because the tax was not making enough to cover
>> the
>> >> cost of roads.  It might be worth checking if "Road Tax" really exists
>> in
>> >> your country.  In the UK we have Vehicle Excise Duty, not Road Tax.
>> >> <http://americansafetyflag.com/products-page/?category=20&product_id=36
>> >
>> >>
>> >> As for the air filter - does a cyclist really want to collect and take
>> home
>> >> the pollution of others?
>> >>
>> >> Ian
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On Fri, Aug 20, 2010 at 6:21 PM, chuwa<chuwasg at yahoo.com>   wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> As an entry for the Seoul Cycle Design competition. The Cyclist Cyclist
>> >>> Wing is
>> >>> short-listed for the 2nd round.
>> >>>
>> >>> Summary of the concept:
>> >>> Cyclist safety is one of the main concern that stop potential cyclist
>> to
>> >>> choose
>> >>> bicycle as a mode of transportation.
>> >>> Many drivers, and some cyclist, believe that cyclist enjoy the road at
>> the
>> >>> expenses of road tax paying car-owners.
>> >>> Low visibility is associated with poor safety of cyclist.  Since
>> cyclist is
>> >>> relatively small, slow and near invisible to the drivers.
>> >>> The “Cyclist Wing” enhance cyclist visibility and safety on the road.
>> From
>> >>> the
>> >>> driver’s perspective, the “Wing” makes cyclist becomes 300% more
>> visible,
>> >>> and
>> >>> therefore easier to avoid.
>> >>> “Safety by number” is an important factor supported by a large body of
>> >>> research
>> >>> finding. In short, More cyclist = more safety for cyclist .
>> >>> The “Wing” makes the visual population of cyclist in any city increased
>> to
>> >>> 300%
>> >>> with the same number of cyclists, causing driver to drive more
>> carefully.
>> >>> The Cyclist wing is with a built-in air filter. With the air-cleaning
>> >>> function
>> >>> of the “Wing”, cyclists make a tangible contribution to the
>> environment, at
>> >>> the
>> >>> same time return the right-of-way to cyclist.
>> >>> it is also a subtle reminder of the harmful pollution from cars.
>> >>> Do you think the “Cyclist Wing” can help to tilt the favor towards
>> cyclists
>> >>> and
>> >>> turn more potential cyclist into real cyclist.
>> >>> ChuWa
>> >>> An urban cyclist.
>> >>> --------------------------------------------------------
>> >>> To search the archives of sustran-discuss visit
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>
>
>
>--
>Sudhir Gota
>Transport Specialist
>CAI-Asia Center
>Units 3504-05, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower,
>ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
>Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
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>www.cleanairinitiative.org
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>--------------------------------------------------------
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>--------------------------------------------------------
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