WATERLOO, Wis. (BRAIN) — Trek is releasing a new LED taillight that it said is specifically designed for daytime use.
The company said the Bontrager Flare R light, which is now available for $59.95 retail, is visible from up to 2 kilometers away during the day. The light has two daytime flashing modes (one is recommended for group rides) and two nighttime modes.
Battery life ranges from four to 23 hours, depending on the mode used.
"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 percent of cycling accidents occur during the day," Trek said in a press release Thursday.
"We're cyclists and we share the same concerns and experiences as all riders," said Bontrager's brand manager and 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."
The 36 gram light is USB rechargeable. It has a 65-Lumen CREE LED bulb that Trek said is brighter than a car's tail light.
When Flare R reaches a 25 percent battery life, an LED on the top of the light's on/off switch changes from green to red. When the battery is run to 5 percent of its charge, it automatically puts itself into low battery protection flash mode, providing an additional 1-2 hours of run time.
The company said that in addition to standard laboratory testing, the new light was subjected to extensive environment testing through the autumn and winter routes surrounding Bontrager's Wisconsin development headquarters.
More information: bontrager.com/features/flare_r
