Press Releases

Innovative, battery-free lights to protect equestrians and help eliminate accidents

22nd December 2009 – Equestrians can improve their safety and ensure they are seen clearly in a yard, by other riders and by motorists day or night thanks to a new range of innovative, battery-free lighting products from Pedalite International designed to improve equestrian visibility and eliminate accidents.

The solar-powered Anklelite / Armlite provides environmentally friendly, visibility, at windscreen/wing mirror height, to keep horse riders seen and safe all year around. The unique products have been commended for their strong safety and environmental credentials. They were dubbed the ‘perfect safety product’ by a Newmarket rider, are loved by users in yards across the country and were shortlisted as finalists in the Innovation awards at Spoga this year. The products are now widely available in many countries, including in the UK equestrian stores, via wholesale distributor Equestrian Supplies Ltd.

Anklelite/armlite is an ultra lightweight (about 80gms or the same weight as a box of matches), elasticated velcro lighting strap that can be worn over riding boots or on the arm.

For years horse riders have relied only on ‘passive safety’ products, such as fluorescent and bright coloured clothing, to be seen. This kind of reflective clothing (passive safety) requires someone or something else to shine a light onto it to work properly by “reflecting” the light back to the source. Lighting, on the other hand, is active safety as it will always be seen whatever the conditions and actions of others and is the perfect complement to passive safety.

These weather and impact resistant products recharge in sunlight or ordinary household light with a full charge giving at least six hours of light when set to flashing mode providing a light to be seen by at any time needed.

Equestrians are beginning to realise the need for lighting even during daylight hours. Riding under trees, bridges or through the shadows of stable/buildings or clouds changes how well horse and rider are seen. The lens on these Pedalite products make the lights appear brighter the further away you are in daylight, shadow and darkness! There are lights to "see-by" and then there are "see-me" lights which are lights to be "seen-by", Pedalite lights are "see-me" lights that help ensure users are "seen-by" others from both short and long distances, for example, at dawn or dusk the lights can be seen from up to 1km away.

Eileen Hall, managing director of Equestrian Supplies Ltd said: “With more cars on the road than ever before and less places to ride completely “off-road”, equestrian safety is becoming an increasingly important issue. The battery-free Pedalite products are a real innovation in the equestrian world. These amazing lightweight lighting products complement passive safety products like reflective clothing and enhance safety by ensuring riders can always be seen, in addition to protecting the environment. At an excellent low price of Anklelite, it is the ideal solution for riders looking to increase their visibility and safety all year round. Anklelite and Baglite are proving to be amongst our best sellers and we anticipate a big increase in sales in 2010.”

The flashing lights have been rigorously tested on young and nervous horses that very quickly became acclimatised to the lights or showed no reaction. These battery-free products will also save equestrians time and money from not having to purchase and fit replacement batteries and they will be spared the inconvenience of batteries running out when they are needed most.

Pedalite also has a Baglite, for Le Trek riders and riders taking backpacks out with them and are expanding the range with a new light harness within the next couple of months.

Simon Theobald, Managing Director of Pedalite International commented: “Since their launch, the products have proven best sellers with equestrians in store and online, achieving strong sales in both winter and summer months. The products have received great customer and media reviews for their innovation, safety and environmental features and because they represent value for money. We anticipate retailers will view them as a great opportunity to increase sales in 2010 as riders, young and older, purchase these products to improve their visibility and safety.”

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About Pedalite International

Hi Res and Low Res images available from our equestrian photos section

Pedalite products all adhere to three principles; they address issues of safety, health and the environment (SHE). To read more about Pedalite International’s SHE campaign please go to: http://www.pedalite.com/she.aspx.

In July 2007 Pedalite was acquired by the Mpower1 Group of companies (www.mpower1.com); a major business development organisation, which has increased investment, accelerated product development, attracted celebrity endorsement for Pedalite products, initiated a major marketing campaign and underwritten the future of Pedalite.

Pedalite’s battery free environmentally friendly safety products are very successfully sold in over 45 countries by thousands of distributors and retailers, in fact the Pedalite range of products are now the best selling environmentally friendly cycling, walking, hiking, equestrian, running and jogging, etc safety accessories worldwide!

Passive/Active safety

Passive Safety products are those where a third party has to do something, like shine headlights or another light on the product, to make it work to its optimum level. Active safety products are those that provide the safety element, such as lighting, without the need for any other action.