A startup is looking to spread positivity on Britain’s roads with the launch of a cycling glove, simply called Glove, that has a reflective smiley emoji on the palm to “make waving more meaningful”.
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A smile or a wave shows respect and friendliness to your fellow road users, so say Loffi, and Glove does them both simultaneously. Invented as “a direct response to the increasing anger and animosity we all face whilst cycling”, Glove has been in development for 18 months and launched on Kickstarter earlier today looking for just over £5,000 of investment to go into full production.
Loffi refer to Chris Hoy’s recent comments regarding a perceived ‘us and them’ mentality between drivers and cyclists on Britain’s roads, saying mutual respect is an issue that’s often overlooked; making their product launch even more timely.
This Glove is “more than just a pretty face” though, with the smiley on the palm actually comprising of padded cushioning that acts as a gripper. The other side is highly reflective so you can be seen more clearly when indicating, and the fabrics are touchscreen-friendly so you can still work your phone or GPS while wearing them. They’re also water-repellent, warm and breathable, with a fleece lining on the thumb for mopping up sweat and runny noses.
Loffi aim to start shipping in November for Christmas deliveries, and with a £30 backing you can reserve yourself a pair in any size at a special Kickstarter price. Check out Loffi’s website and their Kickstarter for more details.
Legal firm’s free stickers
Glove isn’t the only product looking to spread some cheer on the roads at the moment; the Road Traffic Accident Law (Scotland) LLP have started the ‘I Ride Too!’ campaign, giving out free stickers bearing the phrase to cyclists and motorcyclists to display in the rear window of their cars.
“A biker, who is also a car driver, will regularly look in their mirrors to see who is travelling behind them, give room for motorcyclists to legally filter in slow moving traffic and will be especially vigilant at roundabouts and junctions for those on two wheels. The sticker is a simple way for bikers driving their cars to be able to tell other bikers that the person in the vehicle in front is looking out for them”, says the firm’s Associate Solicitor Roz Boynton.
The stickers are free of charge with over 3,000 already sent out, and the RTALS are asking those requesting them to consider making a donation to Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance. Senior Partner of the RTAL Brenda Mitchell is also the founder of roadshare.co.uk, which campaigns for presumed liability on Scotland’s roads to protect vulnerable road users.
20 thoughts on “Glove with smiley faces aims to make journeys happier for everyone”
No possible ulterior motive
No possible ulterior motive there, then, Road Traffic Accident Law (Scotland) LLP…?
You having laugh!
You having laugh!
I quite like the idea of the
I quite like the idea of the gloves, but £30 is a bit steep and they look like the kind of gloves I’d be wearing around this time of year rather than during December.
hawkinspeter wrote:
My thoughts too. I might just push £20, but I do already have gloves and £30 is too much for something which is taking a punt delivery- and performance-wise.
That glove is a horrible
That glove is a horrible reminder of the Black and White Minstrel Show.
Kapelmuur wrote:
Did you know that before they broadcast that in colour, they used red to colour the performers as black didn’t show up that well?
hawkinspeter wrote:
Thats presumably the same reason that the First Doctor’s TARDIS console room – which looked white – was actually pale green because that looked *more* white on black and white telly… I’ll get my coat.
Kapelmuur wrote:
Depressing, isn’t it? Likely to have the opposite intended effect in the minds of some drivers.
We also need a sticker for
We also need a sticker for the vast majority of bicycle riders saying: I ALSO DRIVE.
“Glove has been in
“Glove has been in development for 18 months”
Really?
now if that emoji could turn
now if that emoji could turn into an angry face when I extend my middle finger…
makadu wrote:
Kinda what you want
I look forward to the
I look forward to the kickstarter for a device aimed to tug at your forelock and loop a ‘thanks for not killing me!’ message, or a smiley mask for gazelles to wear in the savannah to stop them being killed by the stuff that kills them.
davel wrote:
It’s hardly that is it ? You sound as angry as some of the motorists out there.
fenix wrote:
You got anger from that? Why then buckle up, snowflake.
I’m assuming your point (and I’m filling in the colossal gaps, here, so do correct me if you can be bothered) is that it doesn’t represent deference. Well, my opinion is that it does. The onus for the creation of a happy environment should be on the ones shitting in the sandpit. Just in case you struggle with the stats, it’s drivers who are doing ALL the shitting, and ALL the products aimed at a shit-free sandpit are being peddled to the ones doing ZERO of the shitting. The penny dropping yet?
You might think Chris Hoy’s got it right. But it doesn’t take an angry person to think he’s barking up the wrong tree, and in so doing, playing to the ones who are actually causing All. The. Problems.
By all means, at this point add some angry stuff to play to the image you have of me if you like. Like imagine me calling you a fucking pointless twat or something.
davel wrote:
…but they’ve got happy smiley faces on them
hawkinspeter wrote:
Mungecrundle wrote:
davel wrote:
Wot he said ^
LoffiMarketing wrote:
I can’t belive I’m bothering to comment on this tedious bullshit, however: a glove with a fucking smiley face drawn on it, like a child might wear, will do precisely zero to change the attitudes of the numerous motorised dickheads I encounter daily.
I look forward to the Daily Mail headline: “Cyclist Killed By Lorry Wasn’t Wearing Smiley Gloves”.