Science fiction has a way of becoming reality. When the original Tron hit the box office, the light suits worn in film left a mark. But in the real world, for the street rider, there are real advantages to high-visibility electro-luminescent (EL) and reflective stripping. Standing out in traffic or on a dark road can be the difference between a motorist yielding to an oncoming bike and making an ill-timed move that ends in bodywork repair for both rider and machine.
Adaptiv Technologies has made it their business to provide high-tech answers to surviving the street. Branching out from gadget mounts and police detection comes the GlowRider Electro-Luminescent jacket. There is nothing quite like this on the market. Not just a publicity stunt, the all-season jacket features a full-sleeve zip-out quilted liner, strategically placed air vents for breathability and a waterproof construction. Added warmth and comfort comes compliments of micro-fiber sewn into the collar and cuffs. Removable CE approved elbow and shoulder protection armor is also included for impact protection. Cleverly placed clear pockets in the wrists house phones or maps for at the sleeve riding navigation. These features alone produce a solid all-season jacket option but the real magic is in the technology.
What truly makes it unlike the many other jackets on the market is the light-tech. Bikes are hard to see especially at night. Utilizing the glowing strips that turn on at the press of a button, instantly puts a billboard on your back and shoulders that alerts others of your presence. A rechargeable lithium battery safely stored in a sleeve compartment powers the EL stripping. When fully charged the stripping will glow for a claimed 10+ hours. Its advantage over standard reflective material is that there doesn’t need to be light directed onto the stripping to illuminate. A driver coming around a blind corner or quickly changing lanes is more apt to see a glowing figure. Other features include a pant attachment zipper, adjustable waist straps and sleeve snaps and one-year warranty. Available in black and neon green. SSB
THE DETAILS
- High-visibility electro-luminescent strips on shoulder and back
- 12-hour rechargeable battery pack
- All-season and waterproof construction
- Clear wrist smartphone/map pockets
- CE approved elbow and shoulder armor
Price: $299
Contact: adaptivtechnologies.com