Press Releases

Pedalite launches Cycling Safety Campaign for Parents and Children this Summer

• 3 out of 4 cycling accidents are at road junctions where cyclists cannot always be seen from the side
• Front, back and side-lighting essential for children, even in summer
• Free Safe Cycling for Parents and Children guide available for parents at www.pedalite.com

16th June 2008 – A new campaign to encourage children to cycle safely on the roads this summer is being launched by Pedalite International, a provider of 360 degree visibility, battery-free pedal lights for bikes, in conjunction with former World Champion and one of the UK’s best known and most successful cyclists, Tony Doyle, MBE

The company is urging parents to add side-lighting to their children’s bikes in addition to front and back lighting, as three out of four of accidents involving cyclists take place at road junctions, where cyclists cannot always be seen from the side (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents).

To help get families on the ‘right track’, Tony Doyle has developed a new guide: Safe Cycling for Parents and Children. The guide is available as a free download from www.pedalite.com and will arm parents with all the essentials to get their kids 'in the saddle', from choosing the right bike for your child, learning to ride safely to Tony’s top tips on great family cycle rides in the UK.

Pedalite 360 degree visibility pedal lights are ideal for children and parents alike. Parents can easily fit them onto their children’s bikes in place of normal pedals in just five minutes and they require no additional maintenance. The lights are uniquely powered by cycling energy and light up as soon as a child starts pedalling. They flash at an angle of 360 degrees, ensuring the bikes can be clearly seen by motorists from up to 1km away and from any angle, even the side, which can be a major blind spot.

The lights continue flashing for up to five minutes when they stop cycling, which means that children can still be seen clearly when they have stopped at road junctions or traffic lights, where 75% of accidents involving bikes happen. Pedalite pedal lights provide always-on lighting so if their battery lighting runs out, or children have forgotten their lights thinking they are not needed in the Summer, Pedalite pedal lights will ensure they are still visible to cars and give parents more confidence that their children will be safe when cycling this summer. All of Pedalite’s products adhere to three main principles and address issues of safety, health and the environment (SHE)

Tony Doyle says, "The increased popularity of cyclists in recent years has also seen a 30% rise in deaths of cyclists on the road since 2002 and with 75% of accidents happening at road junctions, side lighting should be seen to be as important as wearing a helmet in terms of keeping children safe on the roads."

"As school holidays start, more and more children will be cycling on the roads, staying out with friends and enjoying the lighter summer evenings. We must not be complacent and think that lights are not needed at this time of year. Last year’s unpredictable summer weather and sudden storms clearly demonstrated that it can get dark very quickly even in the middle of the day and we urge parents to ensure that their children’s bikes are fully equipped with front, back and side-lighting, such as Pedalite pedal lights at all times to ensure they are safe,” he added. “I hope that my guide – safe cycling for parents and children, that is available free from www.pedalite.com, will help encourage more children and their parents to have fun cycling this Summer and also stay safe"

Some of Tony’s top tips for parents to ensure their children’s cycling safety:

1. Your children  need to be as visible as possible on the road and should wear reflective and bright clothing at all times
2. Never let them cycle without a helmet, even on the shortest of distances
3. Give their bikes a regular service to ensure its on road safety
4. Pump up their tyres and make sure carry additional batteries for their front and rear lights even during the summer
5. Add reliable side lighting, such as battery-free 360 visibility Pedalites, which provide always-on lighting to ensure they can be seen clearly by motorists

Editors Notes

About Pedalite International Ltd

Pedalite International Ltd is a UK company that designs and manufacturers bicycle accessory products designed for Safety, Health and the Environment with QUALITY built in.  The company's flagship product the unique 360 degree visibility battery-free pedal lights improve cycling safety. Pedalite 360 degree visibility pedal lights are powered by cycling energy which is harvested and stored enabling the lights to stay on for up to five minutes after the pedalling stops, such as when the cyclist is freewheeling or waiting at a junction. Motorists can see bikes fitted with Pedalite pedal lights from up to 1km away and from any angle, including the side

Now used by thousands of cyclists in over 30 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.

The Pedalite 360 Degree Visibility Pedal Lights and optional toe clips can be purchased from all good independent bike shops, retail chains and high street shops in most countries.

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 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.