While both bicycle and helmet technologies have advanced considerably over the years, cyclists still face many risks on the road. One of the most serious risk is simply not being seen by drivers, a phenomenon that causes 80 percent of cycling accidents. Short of riding a tall unicycle dressed as a circus clown, what further precautions can cyclists take to ensure their safety?

In a wonderfully elegant solution for bike riders and drivers alike, product design student Emily Brooke (pictured) of the University of Brighton’s School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics has invented a type of portable, virtual bike lane. The invention is a small, battery-powered device that attaches to the bike’s handlebars and projects a green laser image onto the road. This glowing sign alerts drivers to the cyclist’s presence, even when he or she is situated in a blind spot.

In a university press release, Brooke says: “I wanted to tackle the issue of safety of cyclists on city streets by increasing the visibility, footprint, and ultimately the awareness of the bicycle.”

Brooke has already been nominated for several design awards, and will soon have the opportunity to further develop her invention at an entrepreneurship program at Babson College in Wellesley, Mass.

Images: University of Brighton

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Tags: Transportation