UK firm plans trials of RFID-based cycle safety system

Cycle Alert consists of three components, namely a sensor fitted to a bicycle, a sensor fitted to a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or bus, and a dashboard receiver. In use, the three components communicate to notify a driver when a cyclist is in close proximity.

Company co-founder Peter Le Masurier told The Engineer that the active RFID system has a range of up to 100m, depending on street furniture and environment.

‘We have set the detection zone around a vehicle to 2.5m,’ he said via email. ‘A warning light on the cab unit illuminates to notify the driver there is a cyclist somewhere in range and then when a cyclist enters the zone the alert goes off on the cab unit and announces “cyclist” together with a light display to indicate where in relation to the vehicle the cyclist is present.’  

He added that the cycle tag uses a small watch battery that is motion activated and will last around 18 months with standard commuting.  The vehicle sensors are powered by a lithium battery, with the cab unit hard wired into the vehicle’s electronics.