Riding with music blaring in your ears is a great experience. Unfortunately, it’s also a dangerous one. Just after Christmas a US cyclist died when he was hit by a train, which he apparently didn’t hear because he was wearing headphones.
Now though there is a solution which lets you listen to music and hear what's going on around you – speakers on your bike. No it's not that fella pulling a woofer on a trolley at your local Critical Mass.
The Tommyca is a system that made its UK-debut at the Cycle show, it clicks onto your handlebars, giving you a musical treat, while keeping you safe at the same time. The patent on the unit is still pending, but the makers have patented seven individual parts within the Tommyca already, meaning cheap knock-offs are unlikely any times soon.
Company spokeswoman Karine Chambonneau told RoadCC: “The idea came from an electronics engineer who noticed a lack of sound system products in the bicycle market.
“He decided to build a product that would let him enjoy the ride safely, and without disturbing other riders.”
The Tommyca runs off a rechargeable battery, and has a maximum output of 94 or 96 decibels, depending on the model, running for up to six hours, if you use the built in LED headlights as well.
The speakers are enclosed, and water resistant, which is the least they'd need to be to survive exposure to British rain.
The TwoGo model has a docking station for your MP3 player, and both models include a mini USB port to allow for downloads. The speakers are built for ‘close field listening’ – so you’re not going to bug other riders, and have six preset equalizers. Run time is a claimed six hours with the headlights on.
Tommyca isn’t the only music/safety product out there in the market. Slipstreamz cycling headphones claim to allow you to listen to music and still hear what’s going on around you – clever.
The Tommyca TwoGo is available in the UK for £199 from UK distributor if you are interested you can get in touch with them at sales [at] ronnoko.co.uk.
What about walking, catching a bus, train, tram or ferry or for gods sake taking a cycle on one of these modes of transport?
That was just a temporary suspension.
Lucas is the Lib Dem candidate for Cities of London and Westminster, so he's doing local populism....
Removal of safety wands is in the best interest of - motorists....
Since 1999, on a busy road, government guidelines are, its ok to cycle on the footway, as long as it's not anti social cycling. Paul Boatang, did...
Hark (the Herald Angels Sing) Hodson.
Having been a messenger on and off for near on 3 decades now nothing beats a Pac Designs bag, hand made in Canada....
Thanks for the local knowledge!...
Sydney Road in Bath So, you mean it's a rat run?
I didn't know that, thanks. Which is better for the environment, AA/AAA Ni MH rechargeables or whatever batteries are in the USB-type lights ...