Press Releases

New Solar Powered Lights Keeping Cyclists and Walkers Safe When Clocks go back

Baglite and Anklelite products charge in natural and artificial light

24 October 2008 – Two new unique solar powered lighting products, Baglite and Anklelite, launched by Pedalite International will be protecting cyclists, commuters, horse riders and walkers when the clocks go back and helping to reduce the number of accidents which occur every year when the nights draw in.

The products complement the company’s highly popular award-winning battery-free, safety pedals Pedal Lights, which are fitted onto bikes instead of ordinary pedals and provide 360 degree, always on, lighting for cyclists, ensuring they can be seen any time day or night.

With no batteries required, these new eco-friendly products are recharged by natural sunlight or artificial light, such as ordinary lights in an office or at home. They are ideal for cyclists, joggers, commuters looking to increase their safety this winter and Baglite in particular will appeal to parents because it ensures that children walking to and from school can be clearly seen by motorists as the nights draw in.

Users of the products save money by not having to constantly purchase batteries, that run out at inopportune moments and also they will be protecting the environment by not adding to the millions of batteries that fill land-fills around the world every year.

Baglite is an innovative solar powered lighting system that is worn over the shoulders and fits over any size backpack or bag, so is ideal for cyclists and for children. It uses a unique 360 degree floodlight module in order to ‘light up’. There is a single red floodlight at the back and two white floodlights at the front attached to straps that fit to the shoulder straps of a backpack.

The lights shine out from every angle so cyclists and children wearing Baglite will be seen clearly by motorists any time day or night from a distance of 1km. The lights can be turned on and off and set to different modes – flashing or constant. Pedalite’s innovative technology means that, on a sunny day, users can get one hour of light out of Baglite for each hour of Sunlight to which it is exposed. It retails at around £25 pounds and is available in good bike shops and other retail stores.

Anklelite is a unique solar powered ankle lighting system for cyclists, horse riders and sports people. Retailing at just £12.49, Anklelite is a weather resistant, light weight adjustable strap which fits all sizes. Designed to be worn on the ankle with or without trousers, it can also be worn on the arm and it fits securely over riding or other full length boots.

Anklelite has a 360 floodlight module which is attached to ankle strap and ensures that the lighting shines out at every angle. High visibility reflective strips on both sides of the strap are an additional feature. At only 85 grms in weight, the Anklelite provides the essential side lighting required for cyclists using clipless or cleated pedals on their bike.

3 out of every 4 accidents involving bicycles on UK roads happen at road junctions where cyclists need to be seen from the side according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of accidents. Baglite, Anklelite and the Pedalite Pedal Lights all provide essential side lighting which will help reduce accidents in the darker evenings and mornings.

Pedalite Pedal lights remain a best selling product and are unique battery-free pedal lights for bicycles that have been designed to make cyclists more visible to motorists day and night from any angle including the side.

Pedalite pedal lights also help cyclists create their own virtual cycle lane as motorists naturally give cyclists with Pedalite pedals a wider berth and distance, increasing their safety. As soon as cyclists start pedalling the Pedalite pedals uniquely harvest and store a small amount of energy from the bicycle so the lights continue to flash when the cyclist is freewheeling or has stopped at a road junction. Now used by tens of thousands of cyclists, Pedalite 360 degree pedal lights and optional toe clips can be seem on bikes in over 40 countries.

Tony Doyle, a former World Champion Cyclist says, “When the clocks go back each year there is an increase in the numbers of cycle accidents; we want to prevent that happening this year at all costs. These new clever products designed to light up cyclists and children going to school should be essential requirements because they ensure they will be seen at all times. Following the great success of the UK cyclists in the Olympics, there has been a huge increase in the number of cyclists commuting and riding for leisure. These products can protect them and enable them to enjoy the sport, free from safety worries this winter.”

Simon Theobald, Managing Director of Pedalite, “Baglite and Anklelite extend way beyond cycling, with Baglite in particular likely to prompt parents to modify their "going to School" checklist for their children to be "have you got your schoolbooks, your lunch and your Baglite?" as it is ideal for children or commuters walking as the nights draw in. They both offer practical, lightweight, stylish and environmentally friendly lighting that requires no maintenance and which could save lives. The technology breakthroughs of these products have allowed retail prices whereby Anklelite represents an "impulse buy" and that Baglite is the perfect Christmas present. ”

Editors Notes

About Pedalite International Ltd

Pedalite International design, make and sell worldwide battery free products for Safety, Health and the Environment with QUALITY built in. The Pedalite product range includes the best selling battery free 360° visibility pedal lights, toe clips, solar powered lighting for backpacks & rucksacks and solar powered ankle lights.

Photos are available from www.pedalite.com

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.

Tony Doyle MBE, twice World Pursuit Champion and four times European Track Champion is an ambassador and spokesperson for Pedalite International Ltd. Tony promotes these safety products at exhibitions, cycling shows and through cycling clubs, retail outlets and in schools throughout the UK. As spokesperson, Tony also plays a key role in helping explain, through the media, the importance to cyclists of using Pedalite products.

This winter Pedalite 360 degree Pedal Lights are distributed in the UK to retailers by the major bicycle company Raleigh and are available at most high street bicycle retailers or online direct from Pedalite at www.pedalite.com and many other online stores for just £34.99 along with Pedalite toeclips for just £6.99.