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How it works

Cycle Alert is made up of three fundamental parts:

  • Cyclist Detected

    Each Cycle Alert “cycle tag” is mounted on to a bicycle, helmet, or person.  Whenever moving, the cycle unit advertises its presence regularly so that a vehicle’s sensors can detect its presence.  When the bicycle is stationary for a while, the advertising transmissions stop. The rubber strap makes fitting and removal easy.

  • HGV Sensor signals Cabin Unit

    Vehicles are fitted with wireless Side Units and Cab Units. Together, they form a sensing system that allows the driver to know that a bicycle is near. Side sensors are permanently (but wirelessly!) attached to the vehicle sides, two to four per side depending on length. They are spaced approximately 4 metres apart, with pairs of side units mounted near the front and back. Side units are ultrasonically welded to ensure a permanent, weather-proof seal, and have an expected battery life of up to 10 years (its outstanding battery life is one of our super-secret patents!).  There is no wiring required to the sensors at all!

  • Driver Alerted

    The side sensors report the received signal strength from the tagged bicycle to the Cab Unit. If the signal strength reports from the side sensors received by the Cab Unit pass a certain threshold level, then an audible alert is sounded and the cab display shows the approximate location of the bicycle - front, left, right or rear - with an LED display. The cab unit is installed permanently in a vehicle cab, in view of the driver.  It also had a volume adjustable audio warning to alert the driver to the presence of the cyclist.  The Cab Unit is turned on whenever the vehicle ignition is turned on.  The Cab Unit display shows an LED light indication in the centre of the front panel whenever a cycle fitted with Cycle Alert is in the vicinity (about 50m).

Watch the Safety Animation

Under The Handle Bars

Cycle Alert is a motion activated tag attached to the person, the helmet or on the cycle.  The tag sends a message to wireless sensors mounted on the Heavy Goods Vehicle which in turn relay the information to the Driver’s cab unit. This unit alerts the driver (audio and visual) to the presence of a cyclist and their position in relation to the vehicle.

Main Features Include:

• works on all HGVs, LGVs and PSVs, and also works through glass which means it can work on buses and coaches
• wireless sensors (10 year life)
• quick and easy to install (30 mins for a bus, 45 mins for HGV)
• cycle tag is motion activated to prolong battery life
• cycle tag battery life approximately 12-18 months
• Stormproof

Operative Alert

Cycle Alert realised that the same technology could be applied within the construction industry, in order to protect operatives, and so Operative Alert has been borne from this same innovation.

Not just a construction industry aid, Operative Alert can be used in many other workplace environments, for instance in third party logistics, and the warehouse and distribution industries, where the close proximity of forklift trucks and delivery lorries to workers is a major risk.

The Cycle Alert and Operative Alert products are the subject of patent applications PCT/GB2013/050823 and GB1400055.8 and registered Community design numbers 002215160-0001, 002215160-0002 and 002215160-0003.

Fitting is incredibly easy, as can be seen from this video: