Press Releases

Increase Safety for Student Cyclists - 25% Discount off Battery-Free Pedal-Powered Lights

08 October 2007 - Millions of UK students will increase their cycling safety when they go back to University this year by purchasing the innovative and unique battery-free pedal lights from Pedalite International.

As a result of a partnership between Pedalite International and the NUS Extra card, the Pedalite 360 degree pedal lights are available at a 25% discount from their recommended retail price of £34.99 on the production of an e-voucher and a valid NUS Extra card at www.pedalite.com.

Dubbed ‘a fantastic product’ by Road Cycling UK, used by the UK emergency services and endorsed by World Champion cyclist Tony Doyle, the new battery-free pedal-powered pedal lights from Pedalite International Ltd are a must have high-tech bike accessory for any student that wants to increase their cycling safety and ensure they can always be seen by the motorist, any time night or day.

Nikki Copeman, Marketing Projects Manager at NUS stated, “We are delighted to partner with Pedalite International Ltd to offer a big discount for all UK students who cycle through our NUS Extra card scheme. Our goal is to increase cycling safety and we are confident that Pedalites will ensure that students are seen by motorists, which will help decrease the chance of road accidents.”

Based on unique patented technology, Pedalites are powered by kinetic energy and start flashing as soon as the student starts pedalling. They provide 360 degree visibility enabling bikes with pedal lights to be seen by motorists from any angle, including, vitally, up to 1km away, from the side and at road junctions. Since the Royal Society for the Prevention of accidents’ 2005 report that 75% of accidents happen at, or near, a road junction, where cycles are need to be seen from the side, Pedalite pedal sales have increased significantly.

Pedalites are easy to fit and require no maintenance. They provide additional bike lighting to improve visibility and are an essential back up if other battery powered lights fail, or are not turned on. The pedals harvest and store a small amount of the cyclist’s energy, enabling the lights to uniquely stay on for up to five minutes, even after the pedalling stops.

With no batteries required; Pedalites have excellent ‘green’ credentials and will appeal to even the most environmentally conscious student. Globally 15 billion batteries are thrown away each year; in the UK alone that is over 20,000 tonnes of batteries. The dangers and implications of disposing up to 300 million batteries in landfill sites each year are well documented. Pedalite pedals are protecting the environment by eliminating batteries and are always on to help protect cyclists.

Simon Theobald, Managing Director of Pedalite International commented, "cycling is a preferred form of transport for many students in the UK as it is cheap, fun, environmentally friendly and an easy way to get around campus and town. But cycling safety is critical. Many students are caught short when battery lights run out or are forgotten to be turned on, but these lights provide the essential back up and as they require no batteries, they are a one-off cost.”

Tony Doyle, MBE and World Champion cyclist added “Bikes fitted with pedal lights seem wider to the motorist and cars give them a wider berth, decreasing their chances of accidents and wobble as cars or lorries pass at speed.”

The lights are currently being used by thousands of cyclists in 22 countries around the world. In the UK they are used by emergency services, including multiple police forces, commuters, school children, students, cycle clubs, government departments and cycling enthusiasts. In addition major blue chip companies are offering them to their employees as part of their corporate social responsibility programmes.

The pedal lights can be purchased for £26.24, after the NUS Extra card 25% discount for students, by using a valid NUS Extra card and on the production of e-voucher number 3409-8E84-D6C0-F10E. Students can also obtain a 25% discount through the NUS Extra card on the purchase a toe clip for just £5.24 online at www.pedalite.com.

Key features of the Pedalite Pedals are:

• Flashes front, back & sides when pedalling starts for essential 360 degree visibility
• The only pedal that keeps flashing even when pedalling stops (up to 5 mins.)
• Visible 1 km away
• Very simple, standard fit on all adult & child bikes (from age 9)
• No batteries, no maintenance: fit & forget!
• Tough & durable with 1 year full warranty
• Non-slip surface and supergrip studs
• Make cycles seem “wider”; motorists give a wider berth to cycles with Pedalite pedals
• Compatible with Pedalite Toeclip
• Always on, you never forget to turn them on
• Unique, patented, technology to help you put safety first

About Pedalite International

Pedalite International Ltd offers unique battery-free pedal lights that harvest and store the energy that a cyclist uses enabling the lights to stay on for up to five minutes after the pedalling stops such as when freewheeling or waiting at a junction.

Now used by thousands of cyclists in over 22 countries, Pedalite 360 degree pedal lights help to protect the cyclist with always on essential side lighting, protect the environment by eliminating highly caustic battery waste and save money by using the kinetic energy generated by turning the pedals rather than requiring batteries to be purchased over and over again.

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 will be promoting the pedal lights at exhibitions, cycling shows and through cycling clubs, retail outlets and in schools throughout the UK, highlighting the part they play in cycling safety. As spokesperson, Tony also plays a key role in helping explain, through the media, the importance to cyclists of using Pedalite Pedals.

This winter Pedalite 360 degree Pedal Lights are available at selected high street bicycle retailers and 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.