The urban transportation system in Kenya is apparently chaotic and relies at least partly on a system of motorcycle taxis called “boda bodas.” Those taxis are somewhat less than safe, according to a report in the Kenyan Standard
, partly because drivers weave in and out of traffic and make turns unpredictably.
Kenyan entrepreneurs Joseph and Charles Muchene are developing the CladLight motorcycle jacket, with a Bluetooth connection to the bike and LEDs embedded in the back. When a cyclist activates his bike’s directional signal, the corresponding lights will activate on the jacket. It sounds not unlike the Zackees gloves, only without the need for any hand signals at all.
The current jackets cost 3,500 Kenyan shillings, which translates into $40.50. The Muchenes hope to bring the cost down.
Of course, this requires the operator to use directional signals in the first place. Maybe the next step is to incorporate a gyro sensor to light the lights whenever the bike starts to turn, taking the driver out of the signaling equation entirely.