All-new Flare R, designed for daylight visibility, represents a new day for on-bike safety
(Waterloo, WI) – Bontrager is breaking new ground in on-bike safety with the release of the new Flare R, the first light engineered from the ground up to shine through the daylight and illuminate cyclists when the risk of an accident is most prevalent. Visible in daylight conditions from as far as over two kilometers away, Flare R addresses the most basic and universal need of all cyclists – a safer ride. While using a light in the daytime may seem counterintuitive, studies have shown that 80% of cycling accidents occur during the day*. Additional studies on accidents resulting in the fatality of a cyclist show that in 40% of all bicycle vs. car accidents, the victim was struck from behind**. Bontrager engineers began developing Flare R to combat these staggering statistics, with the ultimate goal of increasing confidence and safety with a lightweight, sleek, compact product that is relevant to every type of cyclist, from recreational to racer.
“We’re cyclists and we share the same concerns and experiences as all riders,” said Bontrager’s Brand Manager & Marketing Director Michael Browne. “We’re in a unique position to create something that can benefit all cyclists, and that’s why we’ve spent such considerable R&D resources on Flare R. This is a light that should be on every bike, every ride. A helmet is a great thing, but not getting hit by a car is even better.”
At the heart of the USB-rechargeable, 36g Flare R’s daytime visibility design is a powerful 65 Lumen CREE LED (brighter than a car’s tail light), lightweight and compact construction, and balanced optics. Bontrager’s electronics development team studied flash patterns designed to catch the eye of drivers in passing vehicles, optimizing Flare R for maximum visibility in both flash pattern and intensity. One of the most unique features of the Flare R is its intimate communication with its user to alert the cyclist of its battery status. When Flare R reaches a 25% battery life, the LED on the top of the light’s on/off switch changes from green to red. When the battery is run to 5% of its charge, Flare R automatically puts itself into low battery protection auto flash mode by kicking the Lumens down a few notches, providing the cyclist an additional 1-2 hours of run time. Owners need not be without their Flare R for long as a full charge takes only 2.5 hours to complete.
Flare R will flash in four distinct patterns, two for daylight-riding and two designed for nighttime usage:
Day Flash mode will utilize all 65 Lumens in a strategically placed random flash pattern designed to draw a motorist’s eyes. Fully charged run time is 5.75 hours.
Day Steady mode uses 25 Lumens of steady illumination and is great for group rides. Fully charged run time is 4.25 hours.
Night Flash mode uses an irregular flash pattern punctuated by short pops of increased intensity. Fully charged run time is 23 hours.
Night Steady mode provides 5 Lumens of steady light great for consistent nighttime visibility. Fully charged run time is 21 hours.
In addition to standard laboratory testing, Flare R was subjected to extensive environment testing through the autumn and winter routes surrounding Bontrager’s Wisconsin development headquarters and is now a staple of most bikes found amongst the employee base. The Flare R is available now exclusively at Bontrager’s global network of authorized retailers with a US MSRP of $59.99.
*Reported Road Casualties Great Britain: 2013: Main Results”, Department for Transport, 2014 “Collisions Involving Cyclists on Britain’s Roads: Establishing the Causes”, TRL Report PPR 445, 2009
**Every Bicyclist Counts, League of American Bicyclists, May 2014
Media contact:
Michael Browne, Bontrager Brand Manager
michael_browne@trekbikes.com
920-478-2191 x12523
