Laser Safety

I have always taken the streets of Boulder for granted. We have been lucky enough to have designated biking lanes for all our cyclists. I never really thought of what life would be like without these lanes until recently. I just got back from a trip to Chicago, another biking enthusiast city, and a rather creative invention was brought to my attention; Laser Light Lanes. I found this innovative idea on the top floor of the Chicago Art Institute, and apparently quite a few cities are catching on. The idea was first thought of in Massachusetts. The basic concept is to promote cycling safety at night in locations without designated bike lanes.
The inventor had witnessed one too many of his friends clipped by traffic, and decided to take action. He came up with a device that attaches to the back of virtually any bike seat. This device uses a laser pointing mechanism to paint a wide enough lane for bikers to safely cruse along the streets with traffic. The laser lane is also narrow enough for cars to pass by with ease. I can only imagine seeing a group of cyclists ride by with neon colors trailing close behind. At first glance it might seem a little ridiculous, but the idea actually makes a lot of sense. It would allow for anyone to ride at night on the streets of virtually any city without worrying about cars drifting into your vicinity. There are plenty of cities around the U.S. that aren't as favorable to bikers as Boulder is, and these Laser Lanes would allow biking enthusiasts around the country to enjoy their own personal lanes. Could this be the future of biking?
Investors of this product are excited to put it on the open market. They understand how expensive it can be for some cities to construct miles and miles bike lanes on pavement, and how dangerous it can be to ride on streets without them. Once it is made available the designers want it to be functional and affordable for everyone with a bike. The gadget would primarily be used for night riding, but it would be extremely useful for cities that don't experience much daylight throughout the year. Its beams are also bright enough for every passing car to see and understand that a cycler occupying that portion of the road.
We should consider ourselves fortunate to have lanes and trails all throughout Boulder. However; these Laser Lanes could prove beneficial in the near future for riders who need to traverse those dark dangerous roads.
Until next time, keep those wheels turning!
Nick Wachs