Klingon stars in latest BTA bike light vid

The Bicycle Transportation Alliance has just released their latest video in an ongoing campaign to raise awareness about bike light usage… and it’s the best one yet in my opinion. It features Master of Light Mark Allyn and Jim “K’Tesh” Parsons in all of his Klingon glory.

Tell Us About Your Bike Lights! from BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE on Vimeo.

You can learn more about Mark Allyn and Jim Parsons in a story we published about them back in November. See more videos in this series on the BTA’s Vimeo page.

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, contact me via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a paying subscriber.

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q`Tzal
q`Tzal
13 years ago

nuqDaq mej-pu’ QonoS-ll’ K’Tesh?

matt picio
13 years ago

Heghlu’meH QaQ jajvam!

El Biciclero
El Biciclero
13 years ago
Reply to  matt picio

THIS is how cyclists get the reputation of being nerds!

Ahead warp factor 11! [adjusting glasses] Aheh! -sniff-

8-D

Spiffy
13 years ago

fun! I love being one of the few lit with colorful xmas lights and other side-view goodness on every ride… makes you feel good when a trucker thanks you for being undeniably visible from a mile away…

but sometimes it’s nice to be low-key and cruise through town without having to answer all the shouting about how cool the bike/lights are…

Glen Bolen
Glen Bolen
13 years ago

I was checking out the “neon” tube type lights at the Downtown Bike Gallery last week. They told me that they are no longer selling blue or green because some customers were pulled over by the police and told that those two colors were not allowed.

I like the pimpin’ look; reminds me of a low-rider. I’ll probably buy some red tube lights when they have them back in stock.

(note, by the use of the word “pimpin'” the author does not condone the activity of pimping, only the pimping aesthetic)

gumby
gumby
13 years ago
Reply to  Glen Bolen

Green lights not allowed? Has anyone confirmed this? I know blue is reserved for emergency vehicles. I was thinking about making some green flashers since green LEDs are usually brighter and they stand out from vehicle tail lights. Also, green has become the bike safety color in Portland for bike boxes etc.

Carl (BTA)
Carl (BTA)
13 years ago
Reply to  gumby

So you’re thinking about customizing your vehicle, gumby? Well the State of Oregon has a handy-dandy PDF for you. http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TS/docs/VehEq/OregonEquipmentHandoutcolor.pdf

And no. Green lights are not allowed. Green or blue are only for emergency vehicles (as explained in the document). K’Tesh and Mark, you have to understand, are wild men. They live outside the law. You should probably stick with the red and white, gumby.

Plus, I just thought of this: There’s a chance that while biking on, say, the Marine Drive path, a passing freighter could mistake your green (or red, for that matter) light for a navigational aid and then crash into you AND the Marine Drive path. This is why it’s a good idea to wear a helmet when biking near a waterway while sporting a flashing red light.

Glad y’all enjoy the video. There’s a new one underway!

dwainedibbly
dwainedibbly
13 years ago
Reply to  Carl (BTA)

“Flashing red and blue lights may only be used by
emergency vehicles.”

Uh oh. Looks like red blinkies are illegal.

Love the video!

El Biciclero
El Biciclero
13 years ago
Reply to  Carl (BTA)

Bah. In my experience, most drivers don’t know anything about emergency vehicles, how they operate, what kind or color of lights they have, when to move over for them, nothing. I’ve “pulled over” two drivers with my flashing front (white) headlight and a yellow jersey.

Spiffy
13 years ago
Reply to  Glen Bolen

I have a bright blue cold cathode tube in my rear wheel that spins while I ride… have ridden by many cops without issue…

but I have multi-color xmas tree lights also, so you’d be making a stretch to confuse me with police…

I’ll continue to put as many non red/white lights on my bike as possible to make it easy to see me… blue is the best choice because it’s not something that blends well into the existing light pollution of vehicles and traffic signals…

K'Tesh
K'Tesh
13 years ago
Reply to  Spiffy

Spiffy
I have a bright blue cold cathode tube in my rear wheel that spins while I ride… have ridden by many cops without issue…

I’ll continue to put as many non red/white lights on my bike as possible to make it easy to see me… blue is the best choice because it’s not something that blends well into the existing light pollution of vehicles and traffic signals…

I can’t count the number of cops I’ve passed with any or all of my lights running, and I’ve only been stopped once (and that officer wanted to complement my use of light. He said he saw me from 2 miles away.)

I think the key issue here is blue lights that flash. No motorist would confuse me as L.E.O.. I do seem to get lots of respect however. I’ve had lots of motorists cross the center margin when passing me, despite me riding straight and true in a bike lane, and I can’t count the number of people who have complemented me on them.

Steve Hoyt-McBeth
13 years ago

That vid is the bomb.

Michelle
Michelle
13 years ago

This is great. Keep up the good work, BTA Studios.

ScottG
ScottG
13 years ago

Great video – I see the BTA is getting the viral distribution concept. Great way to spread awareness!

K'Tesh
K'Tesh
13 years ago

Wanted: Engineer, Must have 12 years experience with Cloaking Technology…

Perry Hunter
Perry Hunter
13 years ago
Reply to  K'Tesh

Digital or analog?

K'Tesh
K'Tesh
13 years ago
Reply to  Perry Hunter

Bistromath

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
13 years ago
Reply to  K'Tesh

Drat, I only have experience with SEP Fields.

K'Tesh
K'Tesh
13 years ago
Reply to  q`Tzal

How many years?

q`Tzal
q`Tzal
13 years ago
Reply to  K'Tesh

An utterly depressing number of years.

Mike Fish
Mike Fish
13 years ago

Be seen! Say no to ninjas!

Jessica Roberts
Jessica Roberts
13 years ago
Reply to  Mike Fish

Carl, are you listening? This should be the next video theme!!!

el timito
el timito
13 years ago

Those are some sweet pants!

dmc
dmc
13 years ago

K’Tesh “We should not be having this conversation” – LOL!!!

Mark Allyn
13 years ago

I have had no problems with police stopping me. I have ridden past police headquarters (justice building) many times with no problems.

Some of my multicolored lights are red and blue;
I just have an entire rainbow of colors. They also don’t blink.

mary
mary
13 years ago

Now I’m bummed; someone actually has more lights in/on/around his jacket than I do. Gotta buy another set.