The Bicycle Mirror

Two visionary entrepreneurs Michael de Beer and Stacey Quinton from Cape Town in South Africa, have designed, tested and launched a rear-view mirror for a bicycle at the 94.7 Cycle Challenge that is going to change cycle safety in a positive, dynamic way in South Africa and internationally. 84% of Cycling fatalities and injuries on our roads are caused by cyclists being hit from behind. Having a clear, rear view is not only a good idea, it’s a necessity!

The mirror is functional, easy to install, economical and light weight. It is simply called “The Bicycle Mirror®”.The mirror gives the rider a static, uninterrupted view of the roadway behind them, as it has been designed to fit on the frame of the bike and not onto the handle bars or helmet, where there is a lot of movement that affects the cyclist’s line of sight.

Michael says “It is just crazy to think that every vehicle on the road relies on a rear view mirror for safe passage and that 99.9% of cyclists, who drive the most vulnerable vehicle on the road, have no mirror on their bikes? The National Road Traffic Act in South Africa and many other countries, (1996 [No. 93 of 1996]-G17603) states that cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists, and cycles are considered vehicles by law! Cars have rear view mirrors, bicycles should also have”. He mentioned further: “Rear view mirrors should be made mandatory by the road safety authorities! The Bicycle Mirror® may be one of the coolest new additions to your bike” Jokingly he concluded “… you may be tempted to spend all your time looking behind you, but we suggest that you keep your eyes fixed on the road ahead and periodically glance down to see what the traffic situation is like behind you…makes sense doesn’t it?

“Around the world and South Africa there are some great initiatives from Pedal Power Association (PPA) such as the ‘1.5 to stay alive’ and ‘Stay wider of the rider’ campaign that play a big part in helping drivers be more accommodating to cyclists as we share their space. With their initiative and campaign though, they focus on the motorist alone to maintain a safe distance. The Bicycle Mirror® puts more power into the hands of the cyclists, which will help to create a safer cycling environment from both sides. The Bicycle Mirror® is working to secure a sponsor who will be able to pioneer cycle safety with the roll-out of the mirror at big cycling events, in the rider’s race packs. A mass launch like this has the potential to make an instant impact on road and cycle safety, as tens of thousands of riders will get a chance to experience the advantages of being safer and having a clear rear view when riding and training on busy roads.

The Bicycle Mirror® will potentially reduce accidents between vehicles and bicycles by a large percentage on an annual basis, and because of this it will be marketed internationally so that it can be adopted and endorsed by as many influential parties as possible worldwide. To raise funds for this venture to be successful The Bicycle mirror has launched this fundraising campaign on Indiegogo https://igg.me/at/thebicyclemirror please click on it, support the campaign and pass it on The Bicycle Mirror® company is a socially responsible, purpose driven initiative that was born out of trying to find a way to raise funds for a really worthy NPO, who raise awareness of the more than 3 million orphans in South Africa. 30% of all money raised will be donated to them www.newkidz.org.za The end result means that we will be able to help their cause, with the added advantage of being able to save life and limb as well. There so many reasons why this is a good idea and to underestimate it’s potential would be short sighted. Stacey adds that “We believe that The bicycle mirror is an ‘idea who’s time has come’ and this mirror will change the future of safety on the roads for cyclists as we know it

Manufacture of the mirror will also enables us to help create additional employment opportunities for disadvantaged or disabled members of our community. “We are thinking big!”