Safety laser creates virtual bike lanes for cyclists

Lasers create a bike lane projected on the road to make cyclists more visible to traffic at night. (thefancy.com/XFire)Riding a bicycle through traffic without designated bike lanes at night can be harrowing, even for an experienced cyclist in full reflective gear.

Now, a U.S. company is promoting a type of safety light to help cyclists out by using lasers to project virtual bike lanes behind them at night.

These laser lanes can be seen clearly in the dark, under streetlights, and even in front of bright headlights. With some models, the lanes can seen by drivers from over a mile away.

"Our 'Bike-Lane' is a radical change from ordinary LED lights, especially for night bike riders," reads California-based bike light producer XFire's website. "It creates the bicycle lane itself which will make a common boundary that both drivers and riders respect and must stay within."



Gizmodo reports that while concepts for laser-based bike lane systems have existed for years, it's only recently that they've become affordable enough for consumers to purchase.

Singapore's 3L Optoelectronics Technology has been offering their "Laser Lite Lane" product since early 2011. One blogger reports the light is $149.00 US, making it significantly more expensive than a regular tail light.

The XFire can be purchased online for $39.99 US and a similar product produced by a Korean company called Slancio retails for $20 US, according to Gizmodo.

What are your thoughts on laser bike lanes? Would you feel more comfortable riding at night with one of these devices on your bike?