London designer Paul Cocksedge has launched a set of circular bike lights on Kickstarter that can be locked to a bicycle by slotting them over a standard lock (+ movie).
Cocksedge said he wanted to design a stylish light that also confronts issues associated with theft and glare resulting from light sources that are too bright.
"I've used many bike lights but I feel some things could really be improved," the designer explained. "The inspiration for Double O comes directly from the shape of the bicycle. I wanted something that almost looked like the bike had designed it itself."
The round lights feature a polycarbonate shell with a robust silicone backing housing 12 LEDs that are more spaced out than the densely arranged ultra-bright bulbs used by many other bike lights.
Cocksedge said this configuration produces a bright glow that is less dazzling for other cyclists and car drivers. "We use more LEDs at less power, which means the harshness is gone but the brightness hasn't," he said. "There is no compromise, you can see and be seen."
A button on the back of the light enables the user to switch between steady, flashing and eco modes.
The lights contain magnets that allow them to clip onto a bike mount when in use and snap together to protect the LED surface when they are removed from the bike.
Once attached to one another, the two lights can be slotted over a typical D-lock and locked up with the bike so cyclists don't need to carry them around.
Cocksedge has launched a campaign on crowdsourcing website Kickstarter aiming to raise £75,000 to fund prototyping, tooling and manufacture of the product.
Photography is by Mark Cocksedge.
Here's some more information from the designer:
Paul Cocksedge launches the Double O bike light on Kickstarter
Today Paul Cocksedge Studio® launches its second innovative design on crowd-funding platform Kickstarter. Following on from the success of the Vamp®, Paul has this time turned his attention to bike lights, creating a product that will revolutionise the market and provide an intuitive and practical solution for cycling enthusiasts and leisure users alike. Cycle safety was a crucial element in the design and the resulting product is a simple, safe and secure light for everyday cycling.
Double O, named after its distinctive shape, is inspired by the form of the bicycle and the fluid motion of cycling. Double O attaches magnetically to the bike-mount supplied, making it super easy to get on and off, minimising any fiddling that gets in the way of the flow of cycling. It consists of two 'O' shaped lights, one white light for the front, one red for the back. When not in use, these magnetically connect together to protect the LED face.
One of the most common problems with bike lights is the safe keeping of them whilst a bike is locked up. The unique shape of the Double O allows users to thread the lights through a D lock and leave them secured along with their bike, eliminating the need for cyclists to carry their lights around with them.
Most existing bike lights use ultra-bright LEDs which are packed too closely together. This causes a very bright light which is blinding for car drivers and approaching cyclists. Double O tackles this issue by using 12 LEDs which are spaced out creating a bright yet soft glow, enabling cyclists to be seen without dazzling others. The light has three modes: steady, flashing and eco which can be changed via a push button.
Double O is made from a polycarbonate shell with silicone backing and is extremely robust and hardwearing. Bike lights come in all shapes and sizes but none as practical and as stylish as Double O's. These powerful lights are very likely to be the last ones you'll ever need to get for your bike and also do away with batteries as they are USB chargeable.
Paul Cocksedge says: "As with so many people, cycling is an essential part of my life, and cycling safety is crucial. I've used many bike lights but I feel some things could really be improved. I wanted to design a bike light and the inspiration for Double O comes directly from the shape of the bicycle. I wanted something that almost looked like the bike had designed it itself."