Press Releases

Don’t be an invisible cyclist when the clocks go back (New Zealand/Australia)

• Award-winning, eco-friendly Pedalite 360 degree visibility pedal lights for bikes available in New Zealand through Cycle Tech

• “Pedalites” improve cycling safety and eliminate accidents

• Ideal for commuters, children, teenagers and students

• No batteries, no maintenance, fit and forget

19th May 2008 – There is a greater risk of cycle accidents when the clocks go back this year, heralding the onset of dark winter evenings. Cyclists can reduce their risk of accidents and ensure they are visible to motorists at dusk and in the early mornings by fitting award-winning, eco-friendly, Pedalite 360 degree visibility battery-free pedal lights, which improve cycling safety and eliminate accident risk.

An award-winning British invention, Pedalite 360 degree visibility pedal lights will now be available at many leading retail outlets in New Zealand, thanks to a partnership between Pedalite International and Cycle Tech, a leading supplier of bikes, components, accessories and clothing from around the World to almost every independent cycle retailer in the country. Customers will be able to buy “Pedalites” from its range of stockists throughout New Zealand (NZ $ 89.95).

Cycling is increasingly becoming one of the most popular recreational activities in New Zealand, with over 750,000 people choosing to cycle because of its many health and environmental benefits. However, there are around 750 serious cycling injuries and deaths reported and many more that are unreported. One way of improving cycling safety is by fitting battery-free Pedalites to bikes to provide always-on lighting.

How they work

Pedalites are designed to ensure that cyclists can be seen clearly from any angle by motorists, whatever the weather or time of day. Pedalite pedals can be seen from a distance of 1km away by motorists and they make bikes seem wider. They create their own virtual cycle lane so that motorists naturally give cyclists with Pedalite pedals a wider berth and distance, increasing their safety.

The lights are self-powered using a tiny amount of cycling energy. They light up as soon as the cyclist starts to pedal and uniquely harvest and store this energy for up to 5 minutes so the lights continue to flash when the cyclist is freewheeling or has stopped at a road junction, stop sign, traffic lights or intersection. According to research, three out of four road accidents happen at road junctions where cycles need to be seen from the side.

Alastair Woodfield from Cycle Tech commented, “Whilst, New Zealanders love their sport, they are very safety conscious. Together with Australia, we are the only country in the world that has made helmet wearing compulsory. However, there is still some way to go to stamp out accidents completely. Pedalites have major safety and environmental benefits that we know will appeal cyclists in the North and South islands alike. It is a unique and eco-friendly product and there is nothing like it on the market. We think it will be a massive hit amongst cyclists this Autumn.”

Simon Theobald, Managing Director of Pedalite comments, “We are delighted to launch Pedalites in New Zealand. When the clocks go back, the darker evenings and mornings will place school children, adult commuters and leisure cyclists at greater risk of having accidents. Most cyclists only find out that their batteries are dead or dying when they switch lights on – when they are needed most, Pedalite pedal lights do not use batteries and are always on to help protect the cyclist whatever the time of day or weather condition.”

He adds, “Pedalites are already enjoying excellent sales around the world because they address major issues such as cycling safety, health and the environment. They have received rave reviews in the international media, including being named as one of the top three recommended cycling accessories by the best-selling UK national paper, The Sunday Times. They are a ‘must-have’ accessory for any cyclist looking to improve their safety and we delighted that through Cycle Tech, cycling enthusiasts everywhere will be able to enjoy them.”

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 so 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

Editors Notes

About Pedalite International Ltd

Hi Res and Low Res images available from www.pedalite.com/press_downloads.aspx

Past press releases and additional research available from http://www.pedalite.com/press_releases.aspx

Pedalite International Ltd offers unique 360 degree visibility battery-free pedal lights that improve cycling safety. Pedalites 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 Pedalites 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.

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.

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.