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HOW MAKE ONE:
You need four items:
1. The flag. This can be purchased from many bike shops, usually its much longer than needed for this application. You will need to cut it to length with a hacksaw.
2. A kickstand. I used the Greenfield brand, most brands will work fine.
3. Two hose clamps or heat shrink tubing. The black material connecting the kickstand to the flag rod in the photos on this site is heat shrink tubing used for large diameter electrical cables. It can be shrunk using a proper heat gun or plumber's torch (use caution!). Hose clamps are easier to find, cheaper, safer and enable easy disassembly.
4. Two Baseplates, roughly 3.5 inches square and 3/8" or 1/2" thick. Drill holes in the center of both baseplates to accommodate the kickstand bolt. I used PVC trim boards cut to the right size, but a variety of materials could do the job.
Assembly:
1. Attach the kickstand to your rear rack using the two baseplates, one above the rack and one below: make a 'rack sandwich'. It should be attached very close to the seat.
2. Orient kickstand so that it flips down to the rider's left side. Then tighten kickstand bolt, "sandwiching" the rack between the two baseplates.
3. With the kickstand in the horizontal position, line up the flag to the desired length. I prefer that the flag extends about 1 foot beyond the end of the handlebar. This makes overtaking vehicles pass wide!
4. Mark the flag and cut to desired length. The flag rod and kickstand should overlap by about 4 inches.
5. Attach flag to kickstand using hose clamps or heat shrink tubing.
6. When riding you can reach back with your left hand to deploy or retrieve the flag.
7. Ride safely! Don't pass vehicles, or especially pedestrians closely with the flag deployed.
Like this idea? Please donate:
You need four items:
1. The flag. This can be purchased from many bike shops, usually its much longer than needed for this application. You will need to cut it to length with a hacksaw.
2. A kickstand. I used the Greenfield brand, most brands will work fine.
3. Two hose clamps or heat shrink tubing. The black material connecting the kickstand to the flag rod in the photos on this site is heat shrink tubing used for large diameter electrical cables. It can be shrunk using a proper heat gun or plumber's torch (use caution!). Hose clamps are easier to find, cheaper, safer and enable easy disassembly.
4. Two Baseplates, roughly 3.5 inches square and 3/8" or 1/2" thick. Drill holes in the center of both baseplates to accommodate the kickstand bolt. I used PVC trim boards cut to the right size, but a variety of materials could do the job.
Assembly:
1. Attach the kickstand to your rear rack using the two baseplates, one above the rack and one below: make a 'rack sandwich'. It should be attached very close to the seat.
2. Orient kickstand so that it flips down to the rider's left side. Then tighten kickstand bolt, "sandwiching" the rack between the two baseplates.
3. With the kickstand in the horizontal position, line up the flag to the desired length. I prefer that the flag extends about 1 foot beyond the end of the handlebar. This makes overtaking vehicles pass wide!
4. Mark the flag and cut to desired length. The flag rod and kickstand should overlap by about 4 inches.
5. Attach flag to kickstand using hose clamps or heat shrink tubing.
6. When riding you can reach back with your left hand to deploy or retrieve the flag.
7. Ride safely! Don't pass vehicles, or especially pedestrians closely with the flag deployed.
Like this idea? Please donate:
PASSWIDE! This amazing innovation is the ultimate in safety and convenience for all types of cyclists.
Are you tired of getting buzzed by motorists passing too closely? Are you sick of not getting the road respect you deserve and the safe passing distance you are entitled to by law? Whether you're an all-weather hardcore commuter, a sunday cruiser or a parent shuttling the kids around by bike, this is the accessory you've been waiting for!
The safety flag has two positions, vertical and horizontal. In the vertical position, the unit functions like an ordinary safety flag and stands up directly behind the cyclist. When the rider ventures onto roads with less than optimal cycling conditions, the flag can instantly be changed to the horizontal position. The safety flag turns high stress routes into a walk, well actually, a bike in the park!
When an overtaking motorists see the flag in the horizontal position they PASSWIDE! The extended flag gives motorists a target to go around, a target that isn't your body or your bike! It works great!!
The Safety Flag Provides: Improved safety and comfort.
More confidence on the road.
Less stress.
Calms traffic.
The unit bolts onto most rear racks using a the heavy duty baseplates. One plate is on the top on the rack and the other is below, basically creating a 'rack sandwich'. The spring-loaded hinge assembly keeps the reflective flag in the desired position, either vertical or horizontal.
Passing Laws by State 21 States Require 3 Feet or More
Our Friends:
http://DotBike.org
Ashmont Cycles - Dorchester, MA
MassBike
I Bike to Work!
Livable Streets - Steve Miller's Blog II
Are you tired of getting buzzed by motorists passing too closely? Are you sick of not getting the road respect you deserve and the safe passing distance you are entitled to by law? Whether you're an all-weather hardcore commuter, a sunday cruiser or a parent shuttling the kids around by bike, this is the accessory you've been waiting for!
The safety flag has two positions, vertical and horizontal. In the vertical position, the unit functions like an ordinary safety flag and stands up directly behind the cyclist. When the rider ventures onto roads with less than optimal cycling conditions, the flag can instantly be changed to the horizontal position. The safety flag turns high stress routes into a walk, well actually, a bike in the park!
When an overtaking motorists see the flag in the horizontal position they PASSWIDE! The extended flag gives motorists a target to go around, a target that isn't your body or your bike! It works great!!
The Safety Flag Provides: Improved safety and comfort.
More confidence on the road.
Less stress.
Calms traffic.
The unit bolts onto most rear racks using a the heavy duty baseplates. One plate is on the top on the rack and the other is below, basically creating a 'rack sandwich'. The spring-loaded hinge assembly keeps the reflective flag in the desired position, either vertical or horizontal.
Passing Laws by State 21 States Require 3 Feet or More
Our Friends:
http://DotBike.org
Ashmont Cycles - Dorchester, MA
MassBike
I Bike to Work!
Livable Streets - Steve Miller's Blog II