Bells and Whistles - News

Do you want to increase your visibility at night?

2015-02-24T17:53:00+13:00

Bells & Whistles is always on the hunt for more innovative and convenient ways to ensure you keep safe on your bike when it’s dark. The latest additions to our bicycle light range are lights for the rider not the bike; the Helmet Light and a new Wearable Light.

Both lights have been specifically designed with the rider in mind. First up is the Helmet Light. Its streamline, lightweight design means the light does not weigh your head down like older styles of helmet lights. It provides front and rear lighting and is a great combo used along with bike mounted and wearable lights.

Much like the Halo Belt, the new Wearable Light is the ultimate multi functional riders light. You can wear it on your ankle, arm, bag or bike. Made from a strong flexible composite material, it has a simple hook system that is designed to stretch and hold firm.

Both lights are conveniently USB rechargeable so you don’t have to worry about the fuss and expense of changing the battery when it runs out.

Wearable lights like the Helmet Light, Wearable Light and Halo Belt are just one of the ways in which you can make yourself more visible out on the roads after dark. The more lights you sport the easier motorists will see you, which is a plus for riders and the other motorists we share the road with.

Media: Halo Belt in KiaOra - Air New Zealand's inflight magazine

2014-09-02T08:37:00+12:00

Bells & Whistles is very excited to discover our Halo Belt bike light featuring in the latest issue of KiaOra, Air New Zealand's in-flight magazine!

The new Halo Belt 2.0 is one of our most exciting bike lights. It is designed to save lives. It is an illuminated reflective belt that provides optimal visibility and safety for its user. The Halo Belt 2.0 is a versatile safety light that takes wearable technology to a whole new level within the safety field.

Designed for law enforcement, highway patrol, military, roadside safety, jogging, cycling, hiking, child safety, or just about any avenue where visibility is a top priority. The Halo Belt 2.0 merges safety, fashion and culture into an essential everyday product.

Side Visibility May Have Prevented Christchurch Cycling Fatality

2014-04-08T11:42:00+12:00

The tragic death of a 22-year-old Christchurch nurse hit from the side by a truck last week strongly supports the urgent need for side on visibility when riding in the dark.

Sharla Phyllis Haerewa was cyling to work at Christchurch Hospital around 6.40am on April 2^nd when she was struck by a truck that turned left from Lincoln Road into an unnamed road opposite Domain Terrace. The truck dragged her bike nearly 40 metres before coming to a halt. Haerewa died at the scene.

Police at the scene of the cyclist fatality involving Sharla Haerewa on April 2, 2014

There has been talk of the road being widened and requests for road users to be vigilant, however of everything that was reported from the fatality, there was not one mention of how side lighting may have helped prevent Haerewa from being hit.

Bells and Whistles is committed to improving cyclist visibility during hours of darkness and has introduced several products that are aimed at achieving our objective.

We have equipped more than 300 cyclists in New Zealand with MonkeyLectric wheel lights on their bicycle and these have provided greater safety for riding in darkness as other road users immediately identify and associate them as cyclists. These side on bike lights also provide more enjoyment for those cycling early in the morning and after work.

The Fibre Flare tail light is designed in the form of a tube and therefore also provides side on visibility. These are among the most visible bicycle lights on the international market.

The other light which will add more safety to night time riding is the brand new Halo Belt 2.0. This USB rechargeable light comes with 3M reflective straps and can be worn over the shoulder, around the waist or around your back pack.

With daylight savings now over, there is no better time to properly equip your bike with the most effective bicycle lights that provide maximum front, rear and side visibility.

Lighting Up for Winter with Quality Bicycle Lights

2014-04-07T09:35:00+12:00

As winter is now knocking on our door, it is time to start thinking about how to be seen on the road when it's dark. Bells & Whistles has a collection of bicycle lights for you that will guaZodiacee you are seen when out and about on your bike.

The newest of these lights is the improved Halo Belt 2.0, superseding the previous Halo Belt 1.0 from 2012. The hot off the rack Halo Belt 2.0 is the perfect addition to cycling in the dark as it is brighter, more versatile and is USB rechargeable. Whilst it’s designed as a belt for the waist, it is also commonly worn over the shoulder, loosely around the waist or even clipped around a backpack, the options are endless. It is perfect for cyclists, runners, walkers and motorcyclists.

Unlike highlighted reflective jackets that are only visible when a light source is projected onto it, making it impossible to spot someone in the dark. The Halo Belt 2.0 has been designed to have a combination of high quality 3M reflectives as well as our illuminating LED fibre optic technology, helping the user stay visible when he or she may not be in direct headlight projection.

Here at Bells & Whistles we are about providing you with BRIGHT bike lights, you will not find a dim bicycle light sold at our store. The Knog Blinder is not called the ‘Blinder’ for nothing. This bicycle light has four super bright LED lights that pump out up to 80 lumens of front light and 44-Lumens of rear light, making it one of the most powerful and effective USB bicycle lights on the bike light market. The Blinder’s optimized optics focus and direct a smooth beam pattern that makes the Blinder USB bike light visible over 800 metres.

Another super bright rear light is the Fibre Flare. This uses the latest super-bright fibre optic technology in a flexible tube providing 360-degree visibility. Not only are Fibre Flare lights a super bright light, the versatile design allows it to be mounted on seat posts, chain stays, bags or clothing due to the quality stretchy silicone rubber straps/clips. The Fibre Flare can also be quickly removed from your bike and popped into your bag or onto another bicycle.

As far as side visibility goes the MonkeyLectric M210 and M232 wheel lights are at the top of the game. Fast becoming a phenomenon throughout the world these eye-catching, fun and practical lights have bought a whole new meaning to night riding. The LED light board connects to two of your spokes and is attached to a hub-mounted 3AA battery pack. Each of the lights displays amazing bright patterns as your wheel spins. The MonkeyLectric M210 has a 10 LED light board with 20 programmed themes and hundreds of colour combinations. Its big brother the MonkeyLectric M232 bike light includes 42 amazing themes and 32 ultra bright full colour LEDs (16 on each side). Both these lights provide front, rear and side visibility at any speed. If you’ve worried about being hit from the side by car or just not having enough visibility in general, the MonkeyLectric spoke lights are the perfect solution. Cycling has always been fun. This robust, waterproof spoke light adds a while new meaning to the word!

With these amazing bicycle light options, do yourself and others that you share the road with a favour and be seen this winter.

NZ Cyclists Shift Towards 360 Degree Visibility

2013-04-04T00:00:00+13:00

More than 40% of cycling accidents involve being hit by a car from the side. This is one of several statistics that has triggered the launch of the ‘Be Bright’ cycling campaign in 12 cities around New Zealand.

Each year in New Zealand, an average of 10 cyclists are killed and a further 300 require hospitalized as a result of an accident involving a motor vehicle.

Most cyclists have it sorted when it comes to basic cycle safety – helmets, high visibility clothing and front and rear bike lights. The odd cyclist even has a bike bell. However it is riding in low light where cyclists aren’t visible to other road users from the side that is the biggest cause for concern.

As cyclists we often ride past an intersection in low light wondering if a car might pull out in front as a result of not seeing us in time or at all. It’s also very common to be sitting behind the wheel of a car at an intersection at the same time a cyclist rides passes without side visibility and thinking that cyclist was lucky I didn’t pull out.

The solution to preventing these ‘side swipe’ accidents from occurring is therefore quite simple - get yourself bike lights that provide 360 degree visibility. Most cycle shops I’ve been into only tend to sell standard front and rear bike lights, which will explain why most bikes don’t display side light visibility.

Having done some research, it appears that New Zealand online store Bells and Whistles cater best to these types of lights. They stock the LED Halo Belt, which can be clipped around your waist or over your shoulder. This is also great for those that run in the dark. Or you can choose from one of two MonkeyLectric lights which appear to be the most effective means to achieving side visibility. They’ve also got the Fibre Flare, which is a tube rear light that can be seen 360 degrees.

Most cyclists probably aren’t aware that a $55 fine is handed out to cyclists who fail to operate bike lights when riding in low light. This means 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. The NZ Transport Agency tells us that it is also compulsory in New Zealand to have a rear reflector and pedal reflectors.

The ‘Be Bright’ Campaign is aimed at reminding cyclists to light up their bikes as much as possible, wear high visibility clothing and keep themselves as safe as possible on the roads this winter.