Cycling in urban environments often requires reliable lighting for safety, especially at night or in low-visibility conditions. Traditional bike lights, while effective, come with inconveniences—they need separate charging, can be easily lost, and don’t integrate with smartphones that many cyclists already use for navigation or communication. One way to address this gap is by combining smartphone functionality with bike lighting.

The Core Idea: A Two-Part Cycling Solution

A simple iPhone app could transform the device into a flashing bike light, paired with a robust attachment to secure the phone to handlebars. The app would use the screen’s brightness—and optionally the camera flash—to create visible, customizable lighting patterns. The attachment would keep the phone stable during rides while protecting it from vibrations or minor bumps. This setup would eliminate the need for a separate light, streamlining gear for cyclists who already rely on their phones. Early versions could focus on core lighting functionality, with added features (like call handling via headphones) introduced later based on demand.

Why Cyclists Might Prefer This Approach

The primary appeal lies in convenience and multi-functionality. Urban cyclists often carry their phones anyway, so integrating lighting reduces clutter and charging hassle. Existing alternatives have limitations:

• Dedicated bike lights require extra charging and offer no smartphone integration.
• Bike-mount apps lack secure attachments or sufficient visibility.
• Basic phone mounts don’t provide lighting at all.

By combining a high-visibility app with a purpose-built attachment, this solution could address all three shortcomings.

Testing and Refining the Concept

An iterative approach could start with a minimal version: an app offering basic flashing modes and a 3D-printed mount prototype. Early adopters could provide feedback on brightness, battery efficiency, and attachment stability. Key assumptions to validate include:

• Whether cyclists are willing to use their phones as lights (testable via waitlist interest).
• Attachment durability under real-world conditions (testable through prototype trials).
• Acceptable battery trade-offs (measurable via app performance data).

Future versions could explore monetization through app sales or hardware partnerships, emphasizing the convenience of an all-in-one solution.

This approach could offer cyclists a simpler way to stay visible while leveraging devices they already carry—no extra chargers, no forgotten lights, and seamless integration with their daily routines.