Look, Ma, no batteries!
I’ve seen some solar panels on backpacks and other larger devices and wondered how long it would be before we saw the technology appear in cycling items. Cateye now has a solar-recharged bike light, but it needs a supplemental battery to put out as many lumens as it does. These little flashy lights from Pedalite are completely battery-free.
A couple of hours up on a sunny ledge will charge the solar-powered Anklelite up and it’s ready to be turned on in either a solid or a flashy mode. The lights aren’t the brightest LEDs I’ve seen in a bike light but they’re enough to get noticed.
The Ankelite is perfect for runners or cyclists out in the dark. It velcros onto your arm or ankle and gives enough of a flash to catch the eye of a motorist. That’s very helpful for cyclists in particular because you can light up yourself from the side. Most of our bike lighting focuses forward or backward, leaving our sides relatively dark. Not helpful when you’re in an intersection making a turn and most car/cyclist accidents are side-impact events. One caveat on using it on your arm: if you have moderately sized biceps or you’re wearing winter layers, the strap probably won’t be long enough for the velcro to get a good grip. It’s really sized for your lower leg and ankle.
Pedalite also makes a Baglite harness containing 3 of the same flashy lights that fit over your regular backpack straps. If you’re a backpack-wearing cyclist, this is a great choice for better visibility. It really helps outline your human shape so motorists can figure out that you’re not a signpost.
If you don’t want to wear anything while you ride (shameless!) Pedalite has flashy pedals that stay lit by the pedaling motion itself. This one in particular is a great idea for your kids – nothing to remember, they just work when they’re out there at dusk, riding around with their friends. All three products give you better nighttime visibility without worrying about batteries running out in the middle of your ride or run.
Anklelite: $25 to $30
Pedalite: $60 to $70
Baglite: $45 to $50, all available in sporting goods chains like Dick’s or on Amazon
