BikeBiz reports on a bike-mounted system that can calculate the proximity of passing vehicles. The C3FT device has been developed for the enforcement of safe passing laws by Austin-based engineering firm, Codaxus.
The C3FT uses an ultrasonic detector on an adjustable arm with the measurements immediately displayed on a numeric display. The device can also be set up to buzz when a vehicle passes inside a preset threshold.
The Chattanooga Police Department currently makes use of the system to enforce a 3ft passing law, reasoning that judging distance by eye or from video footage is difficult. Codaxus suggests that it could also be used by researchers and local authorities and there is also scope for it to be used by the public in combination with a helmet cam should a person need to prove that a car passed them dangerously closely.
BikeBiz editor, Carlton Reid, recently produced a video in which Chris Boardman explained how to safely overtake a cyclist. The video, also featuring cycling club Exeter Wheelers and master driving instructor Blaine Walsh, demonstrates how much room a cyclist or group of riders need, and why they might need it, including to avoid imperfections in the road.
19 thoughts on “The handlebar sonar unit that measures passing distance”
I want the distance figure
I want the distance figure overlayed onto whatever helmet/handlebar camera is in use at the time. Along with ANPR, and a mobile phone use blocking device that specifically targets drivers and not passengers.
Is this possible taking things a little to far? Or is this the future of self preservation….
I wonder how many people in
I wonder how many people in The Netherlands would want or need one of these? Or Denmark, Finland, …
In Denmark, lots. Outside of
In Denmark, lots. Outside of Copenhagen, that is. It’s only really Copenhagen with the world-class infra.
The city installed 3kms of bike paths each year – but for 80+ years.
QDubs wrote:I wonder how many
None, proper infrastructure and respectful attitude make the whole overtaking a non issue.
The article wrote:The device
Achieve the same result in the UK by tying a beehive to your handlebars.
vonhelmet wrote:The article
Sounds like a great idea, although the beehive might effect the aerodynamics of the bike, and how much does a beehive weigh?
Instead of a buzzer
Instead of a buzzer notification, it just needs to be integrated with paintball gun to fire at the offenders.
Just hook up to a
Just hook up to a magnetically attaching car-mine on a delayed fuse and I’m golden!
I’ve got one of those fitted
I’ve got one of those fitted internally, it might not be all that accurate, and it makes me shout ‘C*NT!’ which might not look that great on any video footage.
Makes me feel better though.
Mountainboy wrote:I’ve got
Ditto, I’m having trouble turning the “shout ‘C*NT!'” feature off.
At least we now have proof
At least we now have proof when we chase motorist down and chastise them for passing too close.
(Sits back and waits for the next enslaught of YouTube vids)
All we need is for Fulcrum to
All we need is for Fulcrum to integrate these in to their wheels. http://www.superyachts.com/syv2/newsimages/650/500/90/c/3c07/cms/luxury_style/1600.jpg
The device can also be set up
The device can also be set up to buzz when a vehicle passes inside a preset threshold.
In this country it would be going off almost constantly.
Of course the device is only
Of course the device is only really useful if you have a law stating minimum passing distance, such as the French have. In France drivers are required by law to give cyclists 1.5m clearance when passing, which is probably why cycling in France feels so much safer then here.
I think that law in France
I think that law in France was introduced because motor vehicle drivers were no longer giving cyclists a full lane of space. It is a bad sign rather than good.
Edgeley wrote:I think that
So it worked then, all the more reason to update the UK law and educate drivers. It’s bad in the UK right now.
Why not have these fitted to
Why not have these fitted to cars as standard and have them shout “oh cock” James May style as the engine goes into safe mode until the police attend to reset the unit. Police don’t need to issue a ticket or anything, I’d imagine the inconvenience and embarrassment should be enough.
dunno the cultural James May
=D> dunno the cultural James May nor “oh cock” references (link please) but dead on with the rest!
Can’t see this being any use
Can’t see this being any use in the UK except for research purposes, the results of which no-one would give a monkeys about.