Press Releases

French biking specialist Oredon will sell battery-free 360 Degree Visibility Pedal Lights from Pedalite throughout France

• Retailing at Euro 49.00 (Toe-clips €11.00)

23 January 2008 – Cycling enthusiasts in France will be able to purchase new pedal-powered battery-free pedal lights that will make them more visible to motorists and safer on the roads in retail outlets throughout France, thanks to a new distribution agreement between biking specialist, Oredon and Pedalite International Ltd.

The unique pedal lights will be sold through Oredon’s reseller network to cycling stores throughout France (up to 280 retailers) and are available for purchase online at www.oredon.com. The Pedalite 360 degree visibility pedal lights will retail at Euro 49.00 and an accompanying toe clip at Euro 11.00.

Based on patented technology, the unique and environmentally-friendly pedal lights require no batteries and are powered by cycling energy. As soon as the cyclist starts pedaling, the pedals light up enabling the bike to be seen by motorists from a distance of 1km away and from any angle, even the side. The pedals uniquely harvest and store a small amount of energy so the lights continue to flash when the cyclist is freewheeling or has stopped at a road junction. According to a Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents report, 75% of accidents happen at road junctions where motorists are unable to see bikes easily from the side.

Pedalite 360 degree visibility pedal lights will improve the safety of French cyclists by helping to create a virtual cycle lane, so bikes fitted with the pedals are given a wider berth and more distance by motorists. In addition, the pedals are easy to fit and require no additional maintenance.

Endorsed by former World Champion cyclist Tony Doyle and used by the UK’s Emergency services, the Pedalite 360 degree visibility pedal lights have received positive media reviews this year in the UK and they are fast becoming this year’s most prized cycling accessory. They are ‘a must have cycling product’ according to The Scotsman in October 2007; they were dubbed ‘a fantastic product’ by Road Cycling UK, whilst BBC Countryfile magazine exclaimed in September - ‘What a bright idea!"

Olivier Fernandez head of Marketing at Oredon said, “We specialise in selling innovative and exciting cycling products and services and as soon as we saw Pedalite we knew it would be a perfect addition to our product portfolio. Following a rigorous review process, Pedalites ticked all our boxes – it is technically excellent, it improves cycling safety and the product requires no batteries so it will appeal to customers on an environmental level as well. It is the right price and there is a definite gap in the market for such a unique product – we are highly confident of its success.”

Simon Theobald, Managing Director of Pedalite said, “Ordeon has a strong presence in the cycling market in France and its sales team has an excellent reputation for its in-depth market knowledge. We are delighted to partner with the company and we are confident it will help expand our presence and build up our customer base in France. Like the UK, France has a growing number of cycling enthusiasts and we anticipate that with the sales and marketing support of Oredon, Pedalite 360 degree pedal lights will prove a real hit with cyclists.”

Pedalite pedals have excellent ‘green’ credentials and will appeal to those who are environmentally conscious. Globally 15 billion batteries are thrown away each year; in the UK alone that is over 20,000 tonnes of batteries. Pedalite pedals are protecting the environment by eliminating batteries and are always on to help protect cyclists, even the products packaging is recycled cardboard.

Key features of Pedalites 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 Oredon

Oredon is a new cycle equipment firm based in France’s Basque region. An in-depth study of the habits of cycle users has led Oredon to design, develop, produce and commercialise components, services and accessories dedicated to cycling.

Attractive design, focused on ergonomics and functional aspects; high quality materials; very simple to use; exceptional comfort, reliability and performance; great value for money… Oredon products are incontestably innovative!

The first Oredon range tackles the theft of bicycles and bicycle accessories. Oredon provides a global and reassuring response with new generation anti-theft devices, which will bring benefits not only to cyclists, but also to the players in the cycle industry. Indeed, Oredon products are sold via the original equipment market (constructors) and the replacement market (sales outlets).

The first products of the collection: FreeLock, an antitheft system built into the bike; SafeRing, a saddle stem anti-theft device; WheelGuard, an anti-theft device for wheels. Three innovations have a single aim: to combat bicycle thieves as effectively as possible.

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.