My quest to make motorcycle riding that tad bit safer

Device concept & sensing strategies

• Core idea: add an add-on controller that lights or flashes the brake light based on deceleration, especially engine braking, not just when the brake switch is triggered.
• Thread explores alternatives:
  • Use gear/throttle info (e.g., light on during downshift until throttle reapplied).
  • Derive gear from speed and RPM or just detect engine braking directly from speed/RPM changes.
  • Tap into existing vehicle data via CAN/ABS, or intake-manifold vacuum on ICE engines.
• Many argue an accelerometer alone is sufficient and more universal than tapping bike electronics; author notes dealing with engine-vibration noise and randomizing sample intervals, plus self‑levelling logic for hills.

Integration, wiring, and failure modes

• Strong focus on “fail safe” design: new electronics must not be able to prevent the standard brake light from working if they fail.
• Suggestions: watchdog logic that defaults to pass-through, high-current MOSFETs that fail open, and explicit handling of open/short conditions.
• Concerns about vibration and corrosion:
  • Insulation displacement connectors (e.g., posi-taps) may be unreliable on bikes.
  • Preference from some for crimped or heat‑shrink butt splices; solder joints need good strain relief.
  • Desire for plug‑in harnesses that mate with OEM connectors, but that raises cost and model-specific complexity.
• USB ports seen as a likely long‑term failure point unless extremely well sealed; some suggest BLE + sealed enclosure instead.

Use cases beyond motorcycles

• Multiple commenters want similar decel-activated brake logic on manual cars, sporty cars, small hatchbacks, and bicycles.
• Bicycle world already has hub‑powered or IMU‑based tail lights that brighten or pulse when slowing; some mention helmet‑mounted accelerometer lights that do the same.

ABS, brake lights, and regulations

• Big subthread on motorcycle ABS:
  • Many riders report modern ABS (often lean‑sensitive) is a major safety gain, especially in panic braking and wet conditions.
  • Traditionalists argue highly skilled riders can stop shorter without ABS, but most concede ABS improves outcomes for typical riders.
  • Off‑road use raises the need to disable or reduce ABS on the rear.
• On brake light behavior:
  • In many regions, hard braking already triggers flashing brake lights or hazards on cars; elsewhere, flashing red stop lamps are technically illegal except in narrowly defined ways.
  • Some jurisdictions explicitly allow limited pulsing or dedicated amber “deceleration” lamps; others (e.g., parts of Canada) forbid intermittent red lights except turn/hazard signals.

Debate over real safety impact

• Supporters:
  • See clear value for engine braking, EV regen, and strong compression braking on steep hills—situations where following drivers may not realize how fast they’re closing.
  • Say automation reduces cognitive load in emergencies; several riders already manually “drag” or tap the rear brake just to light the lamp.
• Skeptics:
  • Argue engine braking decel is small and mostly relevant only to tailgaters, who should be avoided by changing position rather than technology.
  • Worry that more frequent brake-light activation worsens “accordion” traffic and may confuse drivers who expect brake lights to imply active braking.
  • Note that many serious collisions involve cross‑traffic/right‑of‑way violations where a rear light won’t help.

Broader safety, culture, and noise

• Many comments broaden to overall motorcycle risk: speeding and rider inexperience, especially on powerful sport bikes, are seen as dominant crash factors; some emphasize “ride as if you are invisible.”
• Others note distracted drivers, large SUVs/trucks, and poor urban driving culture as rising external risks; a few riders have quit entirely because of this.
• Long side discussion on loud exhausts:
  • Some riders insist noise improves conspicuity; others cite evidence and experience that “loud pipes” don’t help much and mainly harm bystanders.
  • Noise cameras and stricter enforcement are welcomed by some and decried as over‑surveillance by others.