Bike Lane Brouhaha Solution: Lasers

The clash between cyclists and bike lane opponents now has a very simple solution: DIY, laser-created bike lanes (projected from the bike frame) that accompany riders wherever they pedal. A couple designers at Altitude, Inc. have dreamed up what they're calling LightLane, which at this point doesn't actually exist, but with a little seed money from the DOT (or maybe cycling advocate David Byrne?) this could be the wave of the future. Of course, the naysayers will get bogged down in the logistics of the thing—one alarmist Boing Boing commenter opined, "It's all fun and games until you faceplant and accidentally blind a jet pilot."—but plenty of people said you couldn't bottle the scent of a Whopper, and Ricky's can't keep that one on the shelves. The only question here is how powerful they can make the lasers, because ideally they should be able to burn through Escalade tires.

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By John Del Signore in Arts & Entertainment on January 16, 2009 11:55 AM

Comments [rss]

The Edge

Just more feelgood bs. This isn't Amsterdam.

thefacts

If you want to bike in the city, fine. Join the big boys on the streets, and don't demand little kiddie bike lanes like you are used to growing up in Portland.

RatherBeBiking

Bike lanes have been in NYC for a long time. Now there are more cyclists than ever before. Many of them are slower (parents riding with kids on the back or with kids riding behind them) and often rely on bike lanes to get to work/school safely.

The big boys comment is funny. What do you mean by it? Someone who sits inside a steel/plastic shell that weighs over a ton is somehow tougher than someone who commutes with only a helmet for protection?

thefacts

If Gothamist wants any more shit from you, we'll squeeze your head.

RatherBeBiking

Sorry I exposed you as a jackass again. You'll get over it one day.

The Edge

Something, I'm certain, you're quite skilled in receiving.

The Edge

Something, I'm certain, you're quite skilled in receiving.

Wza

People get so tight when you talk about riding a bike in this city...chill.

JacqueMehoff

I thought it was the Green lasers who can impair pilots?

and, they may be illegal. not sure bout that though because I think astronomers use them.

babyhitler

this shit is dumb basically cause it would take a lot of juice to power those lasers. a lot of juice equals lots of batteries or battery packs = more garbage. You would also have an added hassle of taking off those really expensive lasers off your bike lest they get stolen. so you'd have to carry around a heavy batterypack laser after you got off the bike. fail all around.

SikBug

Good point babyH.

brooklynbybike

hey we think this is a fantastic idea over at BrooklynByBike! our take on it...

http://brooklynbybike.wordpress.com/2009/01/12/ideas-we-love-light-lane/

love that you made it a solution and love gothamist!

UnrepentantFenian

You are a spammer which is a much lower form of life than a Del Signore. Die in a fire you self promoting prick.

RatherBeBiking

Or rather who pissed in your mouth when you were a child to make you such an angry person.

Spirit of 76

Geez. Between this and your earlier comment above, I have to wonder who pissed in your Cheerio-Os this morning.

AvenueHebrew

It would seem John Del Signore may be the one pissing in his Cheerios.

In which case, maybe I wouldn't blame him for the animosity.

RatherBeBiking

Hey John, did you just call somebody alarmist?

glennQNYC

Carefull John, your letting your autophobia show!

ed_Extinct

where the f*ck is this money coming from?

matty

it's a good idea except that the lane is relative to wherever the biker is. I mean the guy could be in the middle of traffic and still be in this made up bike lane.