WingLights bicycle indicators use powerful magnets to snap into place on almost any set of handlebars.
Universal mounts attached to a bicycle’s handlebars allow WingLights to snap on and off in seconds. Once activated by a button at its tip, each WingLight flashes at the same frequency as indicators on cars and motorbikes. The lights are designed to be removed and clipped together when not in use.
A set of WingLights costs £34.99 and can be ordered at www.cycl.bike
Win a set of WingLights bicycle indicators
We have a set of WingLights bicycle indicators to give away. Leave us a message at the bottom of this page and we’ll pick a name next week.
Do bicycles need indicators?
According to CYCL founder Luca Amaduzzi, the idea was born on the street while riding in London. “After a couple of near misses when turning, I asked myself: ‘Why do bicycles still rely on hand signal and don’t use indicators?’ So I went home and browsed the Internet to see what I could find. After looking and being unsatisfied with the market options I spoke about the idea to Agostino, the best engineer I know. Shortly after, we started designing WingLights.”
Cars use indicators because drivers do not have any other way to communicate their intentions to other road users. When a cyclist needs to change lane or make a turn, it is far safer to raise an arm and check over their shoulder than rely on indicators – better still, make eye contact with the road users to whom you are signalling. WingLights are probably most useful left permanently in flashing mode to supplement front and rear lights.
Bicycle lights and the law
Bikes ridden at night require front and rear lights, flashing or steady. At night a bicycle must also be fitted with a red rear reflector (and amber pedal reflectors, if manufactured after 1/10/85). According to the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations (RVLR) 1989 (amended in 2009), all bicycle pedals must be fitted with reflectors (two on each pedal) although fitting such reflectors is almost impossible with many ‘clipless’ pedals.
The RVLR regulations are seldom enforced, but if you are involved in a night-time collision, any slight illegality with respect to your lights or reflectors may be regarded as contributory negligence on your part. More information on cycling and the law here.
Environmentally friendly cycle insurance
On the face of it, one cycle insurance policy is much like another, but the devil is the detail. How much excess you will be charged is just one of the things that varies wildly between providers. Another is so called ‘new-for-old’ replacement – many insurers use this term, but if your bicycle is more than a few years old, devalue it severely. This means you are left out of pocket when you come to replace it. Read our insider guide to cycle insurance.
Furthermore, every cycle insurance policy you buy from us helps support the work of the ETA Trust, our charity campaigning for a cleaner, safer transport future.
ETA cycle insurance has a low standard excess of 5% (minimum £25) and offers a new-for-old for life – how ever old the bike, if it’s stolen you get enough to buy a new model. The policy covers electric bicycles as standard and includes a breakdown service for your bike and you that will take you up to 25 miles if you suffer a mechanical problem or puncture. Your battery is covered against theft as standard.
For 25 years we have been providing straightforward, affordable bicycle insurance. Whether you use your bike to commute, shop, race or amble in the park, ETA Cycle Insurance has you covered. We never devalues bikes no matter their age, allow you to buy your replacement bike wherever you like, replace stolen quick release components and we handle claims in-house.
Can your insurance provider say the same?
Steven corless
I would like to win these pls to increase my safety on the road at night, thanks
Alastair
love the convenience of the snap-on design, makes it more convenient to use.
Mark B
A bit flashy! I’d love a set.
Allan Harmsworth
A great idea, a bit pricey after shipping to Canada?
Cathal
Equipment like this is the main reason to make me look Into buying an electric bike
Peter Clark
Very good
Maria
Please can I have a set I just bought myself a bike I’m 58 just for safety
Julie
an excellent idea, I’d love to win some
Michael Joy
Looks good
Su Gilroy
Yes, they’re very flashy, and would increase safety brilliantly.
Tiggy 1500
The cycling group at work and in my group rides will like these.
Liz B
Yippee-always felt this was needed for my winter commutes, but a suitable solution didn’t seem to be out there. This looks like just the job. Please can I have some?
Colin Green
Not too useful if you have, or want, bar-end mirrors fitted. Personally I think the mirrors add more to safety than these lights
Frank Lee
I love Hot Wings!
Sue
Please can I have a set, anything to increase safety has to be considered!
Krzysztof
Seems like a good idea.
Aniel
Flash, but a blinking good idea!
Jamie J
Just indicating my desire to own a set…
lucy
what a brilliant idea ,definitely on my wish list
Scott Walton
Yes please be great for my son
Colette Stein
Great idea, very foggy round here!
Anna Green
Great idea as an added safety measure but I doubt that they would be visible enough as indicators. Best stick to manual signals.
Fiona James
Fantastic idea. Anything that can help towards the safety of cyclists is worth it and I would definitely use these. If I can’t win some, I’ll buy some!
Doug Milsom
A great safety feature. Probably better on straight bars than on drops, would should be helpful on either. I would like to own a pair.
Dave
Stella and I ride an electric tandem. I don’t like to take hands off bars as it makes Stella nervous. These lights would be great for our situation.
Steve K
Yes please! Looks like a great idea.
Nick
Good stuff.
manfai tang
Snap-on to clip makes it handy for keys as well, multi-functional
Kirsty
Great idea to let other road users know how much space you need. The safer you are on the road the better.
Carl Penny
Very nice idea. Would be nice if it was the majority rather than the minority that would use them. Then people would expect to see them and maybe pay more attention.
Phil
Aye that’ll do me
Robert Clark
What a great idea!
Matt Roff
Better than the flashers you could encounter on a dark and lonely street at night…!!
Mark Wilkie
Top safely
Great talking point
Love them
Andy Parsons
Hand signals would be much clearer, but with all the potholes and uneven surfaces you need both hands on the handlebars as much as possible. I am not sure these will be bright enough.
Diane
Brilliant idea!
Richard
Yes please
Alex
These lights look excellent for keeping you visible and letting people know what you’re doing.
Thomas Lankester
Neat and handy bit of safety kit
Dagmar Winter
Would love a set of WingLights – esp for when turning off at bottom of a hill when speed rather requires me to hold on with both hands.
Andrew Harmsworth
These will be perfect for my fourteen mile commute in both town and country!
Peter Chisnall
Be bright be seen
phil Cooper
A very good design with maximum seperation of the signal from each side, it ensures no doubt about the way you intend to turn.
Though I would still back the turn up with a hand signal.
Jennie Whitford
What a fantastic idea and ingenious that you can remove them and clip them together.
A must have for a commuter cyclist like me. Please may I have a set
Cheuk Tang
Fantastic practical equipment
Imke Thomson
Just what I need for the Scottish winter nights!
Vivien Sproule
Or maybe connect them to your wrists to emphasise the hand signals…
Ian Ramsey
Being a cyclist in London these make perfect sense… The flashier the better with the increased volumes of drivers who don’t look properly!
Jane
Great idea, especially for night time riding.
frieda schicker
I like the easy installation and removal and fixing -no temptation to leave them on when making a short stop.
Justin McCann
Great idea, yes please!
Joel
Indicative of the future.
Francis Voon
Flashy attention grabber.
Nancy Townsend
What a great idea.
Jude
Great idea! I can see this working well on my commuting bike especially over the winter months.
Frankie
I’d love to win since indicating right is a constant struggle for me!
Sian
Great idea!
Joanna MacDouall
Excellent idea, at a good price. If I don’t win I might well buy a set!
Anthony Johnson
These would be ideal on my commuter!
Diane
Hi, Getting a bike I feel my health can actually improve, even though a car did not seem to want to stop at a stop sign the other day and came within inches of me. Scary , but not deterred I love cycling,. And will research the right kit. The winglights seem good and clear.
Mark D’Emmanuele
They look useful
Ray hope
To flash or not to flash, that is the question! It’s a no brainier to me, can’t wait to get mine, as I’m sure I’m going to win!!! Wink wink!
Miriam
I’ve been cycling pretending to be a car to increase my road safety for ages so these would further enhance my presence (and turn my happy cycling smile into a big grin).
Annmarie Pottrell
Having these will help my husband to stop worrying as much when I’m on my bike.
John Mills
Novel! Innovative! I want some!
Becky
Cracking idea!
Ema
Good idea!
Nick Hardcastle
Great idea
Gordon Robertson
My wife is vvv nervous after a recent bad crash with a lorry at a junction where she had the right of way – I am trying everything I can do to help her get back on her bike – it has not been easy – the Winglights would definitely help. And bring a smile to her beautiful face. Gordon
Tim Earl
What they all said …
Bernard Duggan
A couple of suggestions:
As the indicator may not always be visible to people following the cyclist, would it be worth considering placing duplicates, one on each side of the rear wheel?
Instead of having Amber lights, why not adopt the marine and aircraft convention of having a red light on the “port” i.e. Left side, and a green light on the “starboard” i.e. Right side. This should make the cyclyst’s intentions clearer to everyone, no matter what the angle from which they view
him. As bikes have to have a red rear light and a red reflector, there is some risk of these being confused with the red flashing indicator, so it might be advisable to change this to purple or orange. If tests show that this is a more effective method of signalling, it could quickly become the norm and be incorporated into regulations worldwide. If you could get some respected university to evaluate and confirm the benefits of this idea or your own Amber lights it would help your sales and any dealings with regulators.
If you think my suggestions have any merit, I would be delighted to hear from you.
PPP
Keith Bichard
Very promising idea, I would love a set.
Anne Megson
I would love to win these for my wonderful husband who has spent the last two years as my father’s full time carer. He enjoys cycling and we are both very aware of safety when out on our bikes. thank you.
Carol
I love
Jim Moore
Very practical prize
PaulK
Not just a flash in the pan
Dick Willis
Anything to show up better at night.
kirsty
me winning the lights would make my mum happy!
Chloe Johnson
Such a great idea, as a newbie to cycling but someone that thoroughly enjoys it, these definitely are a great piece of equipment and would be super to allow my confidence to continue to grow cycling through London.
Rob
An amazing idea to help keep us cyclists seen.
Darren C
Shame the whole end isn’t illuminated so that they would be just as effective on dropped handle bars, still would be awesome though to increase side visibility.
TD
End lights would help the all round visibility – excellent idea.
Lois Williams
Great idea! I hope my name is drawn as I’ll really appreciate the extra safety
Steven Edwicker
Excellent idea.
Anything that makes cycling safer has to be good.
Hippy J
Love the new innovation!! Definitely interested..
Sue Richards
Ooo – lovely. They could almost work as earrings too!
Fiona hunt
Anything extra to increase my safety is good. Hope I win!
Hannah Baker
These are really novel, but hopefully not for too long if more people start using them.