Bike Radar and Cycling Computers: A Shop Owner's Perspective on Safer Riding

I ride – like I ride a lot, and we are coming up on a new season of cycling, and I am very excited after what felt like a long winter. 

l am a responsible cyclist. I don’t taunt motorists; I wear bright colored clothing; I wear a helmet. I ride in the shoulder as much as I can; I signal while turning or entering the lane to avoid things like construction, potholes, sewer grates, parked cars, trash cans, or terminating shoulders. I am forever vigilant. I also know that I am riding with almost zero protection from the 2-ton+ vehicles that I coexist with on the road. 

My road bike is different today than it was five years ago. There are new gadgets and there’s new equipment. Some are just that – gadgets, but some are technological advances that are requirements to maximize safety when riding. Radar is now a “must have” to ensure safer riding. It can warn you of vehicles approaching behind and approaching too close. It’s audible. It makes you aware – and it can save your life. I had a little spat once with a Passat that reinforced the benefits of rear facing radar on “my” bike. 

Some of you may have noticed the bikes painted all white and maybe decorated with some flowers. They are usually locked to a sign or a pole. They memorialize a rider and serve as a reminder that accidents happen to cyclists too.

So here is the latest equipment you need that will increase your safety by increasing your situational awareness. I have a rear mounted taillight with dashcam and radar which looks back 150 meters, records video, shows up on my cockpit computer screen, and chirps as the vehicle gets closer. The built-in camera records activity and automatically saves footage if it detects an incident.  

For a cockpit computer, I highly recommend the Garmin line of products. They can run for up to 100 hours by recharging with sunlight. They have some of the largest color touchscreens in the industry, offer GPS, and provide a host of data analytics. Some of the more unique features include heat and altitude acclimation, nutrition and hydration alerts, and dynamic performance monitoring. 

Cycling safety technology is not an “Amazon” approach and considering the risks to cyclists every day on the road, I highly suggest you come into the shop and let one of our specialists help develop the best system for your needs.

Just like one should be custom fitted to a bike, your radar and corresponding safety gear should be customized to your cycling patterns. We just might be able to improve your training metrics too!