Citi Bike Piloting Blaze Laserlights on 250 Bikes

Program Aims to Improve Safety on the Road, Encourage Bike Equity through Safer Streets

New York, NY—As part of an ongoing commitment to safer cycling in New York, the Citi Bike program is installing an innovative new safety feature – the Blaze Laserlight on 250 bikes this winter, Citi Bike and Blaze leadership announced today.

This pilot program aims to make Citi Bike riders more visible to drivers and pedestrians, creating safer conditions on the road and providing greater peace of mind to all.

Extensive research on the Laserlight on London’s bike share fleet revealed that a cyclist with a Laserlight at night is even more visible than a cyclist in daytime.

The vast majority of London bus drivers surveyed said the light made it easier to notice and react to cyclists at night, while 75% of cyclists felt more confident cycling with a Laserlight.

The initiative also aims to grow ridership among women, whom studies have shown are more likely to ride in safer traffic environments with features like protected bike lanes and one-way streets. Results in London indicated that this outcome is likely.

“By incorporating Blaze’s lights into the bike, we aim to keep New Yorkers on foot, behind the wheel and riding a Citi Bike safer and to improve the rider experience overall so that people of all backgrounds are inspired to try New York City’s popular bike share program,” said Jay Walder, President & CEO of Motivate, operators of the Citi Bike program. “Bike share is an extremely safe way to get around, and we are proud to work with Blaze to welcome every rider to Citi Bike while helping our city get ever closer to our Vision Zero goals.”

“It’s great to see efforts to incorporate new features into our bikeshare system to increase safety for riders and other street users,” saidCouncil Transportation Chair Ydanis Rodriguez. “This step will make drivers more aware of cyclists, lowering the chances of a crash. This is something other cities have employed and I’m glad Citi Bike is keeping pace.”

“This looks really cool,” said Council Member Helen Rosenthal.

“As Citi Bike ridership soars even during the dark winter months, it is important that we look for new innovative ways to keep pedestrians, cyclists and drivers safe,” said Council Member Ben Kallos. “By testing out the Blaze Laserlights the city is showing its commitment to safety in our streets.”

“I support all efforts to make cycling in the city safer and encourage more people to get over their fear and get on a bicycle,” said Council Member Antonio Reynoso. “This is a creative and fun strategy, and I can’t wait to see it in action!”

Council Member Robert E. Cornegy, Jr. (District 36), an avid bike rider, who can be often spotted cycling to City Hall from Brooklyn, stated, “I look forward to the success of the Blaze Laserlight and Citi Bike partnership as they seek to provide even more bicycle safety for New Yorkers.”

“With every passing day, more and more New Yorkers are choosing Citi Bike to get where they need to go,” said Council Member Stephen Levin. “The steps we’ve taken to invest in transit infrastructure safety, including increasing bicycling visibility, have encouraged the community to explore alternate methods of transportation. Whether you ride on four wheels or two, this pilot program will make our streets safer for everyone.”

“Blaze are delighted that Citi Bike will pilot the Laserlight this Winter. We have been working with Motivate for over a year to develop a brand new product that brings our innovative projection technology to the streets of New York,” said Emily Brooke, Founder and CEO of Blaze. “It also includes improved front lighting and connectivity, making cycling with a Citi Bike even safer and more enjoyable.”

Citi Bike is an extremely safe component of the city’s transportation network—with few serious injuries and no deaths in the nearly 37 million trips completed since the system’s installation in 2013. Nonetheless, the hectic nature of New York City streets can be a barrier to entry for potential bike share riders. This initiative aims to reduce barriers to entry so that everyone feels ownership of the growing system.