While many new products-to-market are variations on a theme at best, and gimmicky at worst, the Jimmy Beam Down Light (JBDL) is a true advancement in commuter safety. And in light of the recent cyclist deaths in London (for which over a thousand cyclists recently staged a “die in” in protest) this innovation may be a real life-saver. Check out the glow past the break…
Designed for multiple formats, including RVs, truck-trailers, and bicycles, the Jimmy Beam Down Light creates a “context” for the width of the commuter (or trailer), giving motorists a far better sense of your presence.
In testing with cyclists sharing a road with truck drivers, the drivers were quoted in a Dec. 5 BikeBiz article as stating, “[T]he footprint of light surrounding the cyclist helped in judging a safe clearance when overtaking [them].” Compared to a standard commuter light system (for which the JBDL does not replace) the JBDL system is clearly more visible.
The cycling-suitable version of the JBDL is the 12v-24v LED “Single System” which is angularly adjustable allowing customization of the light’s footprint.
For every bright idea there is often a downside. The manufacturer is not currently making information available regarding cycling specific mounting, battery options nor run-times. Regardless, this new approach to safety is surely worth pursuing.
Additional consideration: in order to achieve a full perimeter of glow, one must purchase four separate “Single Systems” which retail for 73.61 GBP each (aprox. $120) for a grand total of $480 for the set of four. Pricey! But then again, what does a trip to the emergency room cost?
