WO2012162729A1

WO2012162729A1 - Vehicle passing guide for bicycles

Info

Publication number: WO2012162729A1
Application number: PCT/AU2012/000585
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tony SANDEBERG; Oliver Clemens Robert Kratzer; James Morton
Original assignee: SHOO-UP CYCLING Pty Ltd
Current assignee: SHOO-UP CYCLING Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-05-27
Filing date: 2012-05-25
Publication date: 2012-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 2013-11-27

Abstract

A vehicle passing guide (100) for a bicycle comprises a bracket (102), a main body (120) and an elongate indicator member (130). The indicator member (130) has a base portion (132) mounted in the main body (120) to allow axial sliding movement and an arm portion (134) having one or more lights and/or reflectors (142,162). The arm portion (134) is joined to the base portion (132) by a resiliently biased pivot joint (135). The indicator member (130) is slidable between an extended configuration in which the arm portion (134) projects away from the main body (120) and a retracted configuration in which the arm portion (134) is substantially retracted. In the extended configuration, the arm portion (134) is able to pivot at the pivot joint (135) away from an elongate axis (X-X) in response to an external force and is resiliently biased to return to alignment with the elongate axis (X-X).

Description

Vehicle passing guide for bicycles

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle passing guide for bicydes. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for indicating a reasonable distance for a vehicle to allow when passing a cyclist.

Background of the Invention

Cycling as a mode of transport is becoming increasingly popular for a number of reasons. Increased traffic congestion on city roads encourages cycling as travel time for cycling is often shorter than for driving. Rising costs for oil and gas encourage cycling as a less expensive alternative for commuting. Crowded and inefficient public transit systems encourage cycling as travel time for cycling is often shorter than using public transit.

Governments are increasingly providing infrastructure for cyclists, making cycling safer and more efficient as a mode of transport. Cycling is also encouraged as a healthy alternative to commuting, by providing a convenient form of exercise.

Social riding has also witnessed a large increase in participants in recent years, with tour racing, cycle club racing, children's cycling events, charity cycling events as well as cycling associations and bike shops all contributing to the increase.

However, cycling in traffic can be hazardous and road vehicles passing cydists often do not teave^"suffiaentspace-betweeTra-^^

be buffeted by the turbulent air surrounding the passing vehicle, or even hit by the vehide if the distance is misjudged or if the cyclist veers slightly off course. In these circumstances, the cydists can be knocked over and seriously injured or killed in an accident with a passing vehicle.

The risk of such an accident is significantly increased in vision impaired conditions such as at night, in fog or heavy rain. Cyclists are more difficult to see and it becomes more difficult to correctly judge distances between the passing vehide and the cyclist. Safety devices such as reflectors and lights are intended to warn motorists of the presence of a cyclist on the road in dark or vision impaired circumstances.

Object of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages, or to provide a useful alternative.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a vehicle passing guide for a bicycle comprising:

a bracket adapted to mount a main body of the vehicle passing guide to the bicycle; and

an elongate indicator member having:

(i) a base portion mounted to allow sliding movement relative to the main body along an elongate axis of the indicator member; and

(ii) an arm portion having one or more lights and/or reflectors, the arm portion being joined to the base portion by a resiliently biased pivot joint;

wherein the indicator member is slidable between an extended configuration in which the arm portion projects away from the main body along the elongate axis and a retracted configuration; and

wherein in the extended configuration the arm portion is pivotable at the pivot joint away from the elongate axis in response to an external force and is resiliently biased to return to alignment with the elongate axis.

extending between the base portion and the arm portion.

Preferably, the spring is a coil spring extending axially, internally of the base portion and arm portion and the pivot joint comprises a recessed socket on the base portion for receiving an end of the arm portion.

Further preferably, the base portion has a flared end to retain the base portion in the main body. In a preferred embodiment, the base portion is arranged in an elongate cavity of the main body.

Preferably, the main body includes a biased lever having a push tab and a tooth, wherein: the lever is biased to a first position in which the tooth projects into the cavity and engages the base portion, preventing axial movement of the base portion in either the retracted configuration or the extended configuration; and

depression of the push tab urges the lever to a second position in which the tooth is retracted from the cavity allowing axial movement of the base portion.

Further preferably, the bracket includes:

a clamping mechanism for clamping the vehicle passing guide to a seatpost of a bicycle;

a mounting arm extending from the clamping portion; and

a mounting block adapted to detachably mount the main body to the bracket.

The mounting arm is preferably joined to the mounting block by way of a ball and socket joint.

Preferably, the ball and socket joint is adapted to be retained in a predetermined orientation by way of a resilient protuberance biased to project into a notch on the ball of the ball and socket joint.

In a preferred embodiment:

the main body includes at least one biased tab with a tongue, the tab being mounted for sliding movement relative to the main body, the tab being biased to a first position in which the tongue projects from the main body and the tab being movable to a second position in which the tongue is substantially retracted;

the mounting block has at least one shoulder adapted to be engaged by the tongue when the main body is arranged on the mounting block and the tab is in the first position, thereby retaining the main body on the mounting block; and

movement of the at least one tab to the second position allows the main body to be detached from the mounting block. The main body preferably has an opposing pair of said biased tabs and the mounting block has a corresponding pair of opposite shoulders.

Preferably, the main body includes a power supply, the indicator member includes a plurality of lights and an electrical connection extends between the power supply and the plurality of lights.

Further preferably, the electrical connection includes a furling ribbon cable connected to the indicator member and the main body to accommodate movement of the indicator member by unfurling of the ribbon cable as the indicator member moves toward the extended configuration and furling of the ribbon cable as the indicator member moves toward the retracted configuration.

Preferably, the base portion includes a plurality of lights powered by the power supply.

Optionally, the lights are light emitting diodes (LEDs) supported on and controlled by a printed circuit board (PCB).

Preferably, the lights are programmed to illuminate in one or more lighting arrays.

The lights are preferably aligned in an elongate axially parallel row.

Optionally, the one or more lighting arrays include an array in which the lights illuminate consecutively in a direction of extension of the indicator member.

Preferably, when secured to a bicycle seatpost in the retracted configuration, the main body is approximately centred relative to the seatpost and extends perpendicular to a direction of travel of the bicycle, providing a rear facing indicator.

The vehicle passing guide is advantageously adapted to be mounted to a bicycle in at least two orientations, being a first orientation and a second orientation, the second orientation being the inversion of the first orientation. Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of specific example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 depicts a first embodiment of a vehicle passing guide in a retracted

configuration;

Fig. 2 depicts the vehicle passing guide of Fig. 1 in an extended configuration;

Fig. 3 depicts the vehicle passing guide in an intermediate configuration between the configurations of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle passing guide of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 depicts a second embodiment of a vehicle passing guide in a retracted configuration;

Fig. 6 depicts the vehicle passing guide of Fig. 5 in an extended configuration;

Fig. 7 is a reverse side elevation view of the vehicle passing guide in the configuration of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a cross-section view taken along line A-A of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a reverse side elevation view of the vehicle passing guide in the configuration of Fig. 5;

Fig. 10 is a cross-section view taken along line B-B of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an elevation view of the vehicle passing guide in the configuration of Fig. 5; Fig. 12 is a cross-section view taken along line C-C of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a cross-section view taken along line D-D of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is an isolated view of an indicator member of the vehicle passing guide shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 15 is a cross-section view taken along line E-E of Fig. 14;

Eig_^l6jS-atLisolatecLview_oLa_bracket-and_mounting_^bl∞k_QQ

shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 17 is an elevation view of the bracket and mounting block shown in Fig. 16; and Fig. 18 is a cross-section view taken along line F-F of Fig. 17. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Figs. 1 to 3 depict a first embodiment of a vehicle passing guide 10 in various configurations, from the retracted configuration shown in Fig. 1 to the extended configuration shown in Fig. 2.

The vehicle passing guide 10 comprises a bracket 12 that is adapted to be fastened to a seatpost of a bicyde (not shown). In the embodiment depicted, the bracket 12 is adapted to be mounted to the seatpost by way of a sleeve attachment 14 having an aperture 16 for receiving the seatpost of a bicycle. The sleeve attachment 14 could equally be substituted for a clamp or other such attachment means and is typically constructed of a flexible material such as rubber.

The bracket 12 is a substantially U-shaped component having two parallel elongate arms 18, 20 joined at a base 22. A first of the elongate arms 18 is secured to the sleeve attachment 14 for mounting to the seatpost. A second of the elongate arms 20 supports an elongate indicator member 24.

The indicator member 24 includes an inner section 26, which is mounted on the second elongate arm 20 to allow sliding movement of the inner section 26 relative to the bracket 12. The indicator member 24 further includes an outer section 28, which is mounted to allow sliding movement of the outer section 28 relative to the inner section 26.

In the retracted configuration shown in Fig. 1, the inner section 26 and outer section 28 are substantially overlapping and adjacent to the bracket 12 and the indicator member 24 is -substantially-overiapping_^the-second_elongate_arm 20 of the bracket 12. When in the

retracted configuration, the inner section 26 and outer section 28 are roughly centred relative to the sleeve attachment 14, extending horizontally and perpendicular to the forward direction of travel of the bicycle and sitting directly behind the cyclist. This arrangement does not overly affect the overall width of the bicyde as the total width in the retracted configuration is around 180mm. The width of the unit is approximately 35mm.

In the extended configuration shown in Fig. 2, the inner section 26 extends outwardly from the end 30 of the second elongate arm 20 of the bracket 12 and the outer section 28 extends outwardly from an outer end 32 of the inner section 26. This provides a fully extended length of around 500mm, with the indicator member 24 projecting laterally either to the left or right of the bicycle from behind the seatpost, depending on which side of the road the traffic is travelling.

Both the inner section 26 and the outer section 28 are provided with lights 34 on a rear surface along their length, the lights 34 facing rearwardly of the bicycle. Instead of lights, reflectors may be used and reflectors are preferably provided on a front surface of the inner and outer sections 26, 28. The lights 34 would typically be red as is standard for rear facing indicator lights on vehicles.

As best shown in Fig. 4, the second elongate arm 20 is telescopically received in the inner section 26 and the inner section 26, in turn, is telescopically received in the outer section 28.

The inner section 26 in cross section is generally obround with a light cavity 36 and a generally rectangular mounting cavity 38. The inner section 26 is mounted on the second elongate arm 20 via bearing ridges 40 in the mounting cavity 38, which allow sliding movement of the inner section 26 relative to the bracket 12. Alternate bearing means and lubrication may be employed in place of the bearing ridges 40 depicted in this embodiment.

The outer section 28 in cross section is also generally obround and has a generally obround cavity 42 which is slightly larger than the inner section 26. The outer section 28 is mounted on the inner section 26 via bearing ridges 44 on the inner surface of the obround cavity 42, which allow sliding movement of the outer section 28 relative to the inner section 26. Lights 34 are mounted on a fitting arm 45 that projects into the light cavity 36. Alternate bearing means and lubrication may be employed in place of the bearing ridges 44 depicted in this embodiment.

Channels 46 are formed in the inner section 26 to allow for the accommodation of electrical wiring and batteries to power the lights 34.

In use, the indicator member 24 is slidable between a retracted configuration, shown in Fig. 1, in which the indicator member 24 is arranged adjacent to the bracket 12 and an extended configuration, shown in Fig. 2, in which the indicator member 24 extends away from the bracket 12. The lights 34 in one embodiment are controllable to illuminate consecutively along the rows from an inner end of the indicator member 24 to an outer end of the indicator member 24. In this way, the consecutively illuminating lights 34 direct motorists towards the outer end of the indicator member 24 and away from the cyclist.

The bracket 12 is designed to be mounted to a bicycle either in a first orientation, in which the indicator member 24 extends to the left of the bicycle in the extended configuration, and a second orientation, being the inversion of the first orientation, in which the indicator member 24 extends to the right of the bicycle in the extended configuration. This allows the same vehicle passing guide 10 to be used on bicycles in countries which drive on left side of the road and countries that drive on the right side of the road.

Figs. 5 to 18 depict a second embodiment of a vehicle passing guide 100 in both the retracted configuration shown in Fig. 5 and the extended configuration shown in Fig. 6.

Referring first to Figs. 5 and 6, the vehicle passing guide 100 comprises a bracket 102 that is adapted to be fastened to a seatpost of a bicycle (not shown). In the embodiment depicted, the bracket 102 is adapted to be mounted to the seatpost by way of a clamp mechanism 104. The clamp mechanism 104 comprises two opposing generally arcuate clamp arms 106 pivotally joined by a hinge joint 108 and having free ends 110. The bracket 102 further comprises a mounting arm 112 having a first end 114 adapted to be received between the free ends 110 of the clamp arms 106 and releasably fastened between the free ends 110 by a fastener 116. The mounting arm 112 has a second end 118 pivotally connected to a mounting block 115 for mounting the main body 120 of the vehicle passing guide 100.

The main body 120 has a housing 122, in which an extendable and retractable elongate indicator member 130 is mounted for sliding movement along an elongate axis X-X. The indicator member 130 is depicted in Fig. 5 in a retracted configuration, in which the indicator member 130 is retracted within the housing 122, and in Fig. 6 in an extended configuration, in which the indicator member 130 projects laterally from the housing 122 along the elongate axis X-X. Figs. 7 and 8 show the vehicle passing guide 100, with the indicator member 130 in the extended configuration, in more detail. As shown in Fig. 8, the indicator member 130 comprises a base portion 132 and an arm portion 134. The base portion 132 is mounted for sliding movement relative to the main body 120 along the elongate axis X-X in a cavity 125 5 of the main body 120 by way of rails 124. A first compression spring 126 is provided at an internal end of the cavity 125 to bias the base portion 132 away from the internal end of the cavity 125 in the retracted configuration.

The indicator member 130 is shown in greater detail in isolation in Figs. 14 and 15. The armo portion 134 is mounted to the base portion 132 by way of a resiliently biased pivot joint 135.

The pivot joint 135 includes a recessed socket 137 on the base portion 132, which receives a complementary shaped end of the arm portion 134. The pivot joint 135 is held together by an internal coil tension spring 136, which extends axially between the base portion 132 and arm portion 134. The tension spring 136 allows the arm portion 134 to be deflected aways from the elongate axis X-X in any direction if an external force is applied to the arm portion 134. The tension spring 136 also biases the arm portion to return to alignment with the elongate axis X-X, corresponding to the extended configuration shown in Fig. 8. The arm portion 134 is also provided with a groove 138 formed towards the outer end of the arm portion 134. The indicator member 130 is retained in the cavity 125 of the main body 120 ino the extended configuration by a flared end 139 of the base portion 132.

Other embodiments of the pivot joint are envisaged such as a joint using a compression spring rather than a tension spring. s In the extended configuration shown in Fig. 8, the base portion 132 is held in position by a tooth 150 engaging the end of the base portion 132 and preventing sliding movement of the base portion 132 along the rails 124. The tooth 150 is provided on a biased lever 152 having a push tab 154 and biased to the position shown by way of a second compression spring 156.

0

The main body 120 includes a first printed circuit board (PCB) 160 supporting a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 162 housed behind a red lens 164. The arm portion 134 also includes a second printed circuit board (PCB) 140 supporting a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 142 housed behind a red lens 144. The first PCB 160 in the main body 120 is electrically connected to the second PCB 140 in the arm portion 134 by way of a ribbon cable 166 and wire 146 joined at an interface 168 on the base portion 132. The ribbon cable 166 is folded over on itself in the retracted configuration and is adapted to unfurl as the indicator member 130 moves toward the extended configuration.

Figs. 9 to 13 show the vehicle passing guide 100, with the indicator member 130 in the retracted configuration, in more detail. As shown in Fig. 10, with the indicator member 130 in the retracted configuration, the tooth 150 of the biased lever 152 is received within the groove 138 on the arm portion 134. This retains the indicator member 130 in the retracted configuration, against the biasing force of the first compression spring 126 on the base portion 132. In use, the user deploys the indicator member 130 by depressing the push tab 154, which disengages the tooth 150 from the groove 138. The indicator member 130 is then urged outwardly by the first compression spring 126 toward the extended configuration with the arm portion 134 projecting from the main body 120. The user then draws the arm portion 134 out of the main body 120 to the extended configuration, in which the tooth 150 projects into the cavity 125 and engages the end of the base portion 132, preventing movement of the indicator member 130 back towards the retracted configuration.

In order to retract the indicator member 130, the user depresses the push tab again, which releases the base portion 132 and allows the indicator member 130 to travel back in the direction of the retracted configuration. As the indicator member 130 approaches the retracted configuration, the first compression spring 126 is compressed by the base portion 132 and the tooth passes into the groove 138 on the arm portion 132, retaining the indicator member 130 in the retracted configuration. The main body 120 is detachably mounted to the mounting block 115 by way of two biased tabs 170 on the main body 120. The two tabs 170 each have a tongue 172 and are mounted to allow sliding movement relative to the housing 122 between a projecting position, in which the tongues 172 project from the housing 122, and a retracted position, in which the tongues 172 are withdrawn into the housing 122. In the projecting position, the tongues 172 each engage one of two shoulders 174 on the mounting block 115 to retain the main body 120 on the mounting block 115. Each tab 170 is biased toward the projecting position by a third compression spring 176.

To detach the main body 120 from the mounting block 115, the user slides the two tabs 170 to the retracted positions, allowing the tongues 172 to pass across the shoulders 174 and thereby detaching the main body 120 from the mounting block 115. To reattach the main body 120 to the mounting block 115, the user simply presses the main body 120 back onto the mounting block 115. During this attachment process, inclined leading edges on the tongues 172 engage the shoulders 174, which urge the tongues 172 toward the retracted position until they are sufficiently retracted to slide across the shoulders 174. Once across the shoulders 174, the tongues 172 are urged back to the projecting position by the third compression springs 176, securing the main body 120 to the mounting block 115.

The main body 120 is also provided with a USB port 180 and a control button 182. The USB port is connected to the first PCB. The USB port allows changes in programming of the PCBs and recharging of the vehicle passing guide 100. The control button 182 allows power to be switched on or off and to switch between select lighting arrays programmed in the PCBs 140, 160.

Referring to Fig. 12, the housing 122 accommodates rechargeable batteries 184 adapted to power the PCBs 140, 160. The batteries 184 can be recharged either after being removed from the housing 122 or by plugging the vehicle passing guide 100 into a power source via the USB port 180.

Turning to Figs. 16 to 18, the bracket 112 and mounting block 115 are shown in isolation. The second end 118 of the mounting arm 112 is connected by way of a ball and socket joint to the mounting block 115. The second end 118 of the mounting arm 112 is generally spherical with a notch 184 formed in the surface. The mounting block 115 receives the spherical end 118 of the mounting arm 112 in a socket 186. A leaf spring 188 having a protuberance 190 is extends into the socket 186, such that when the mounting block 115 is correctly oriented with respect to the mounting arm 112, the protuberance 190 is aligned with the notch 184 and the leaf spring 188 urges the protuberance 190 into the notch 184, thereby holding the mounting block 115 in the correct orientation. If, during use, an external force knocks the main body 120, the leaf spring 188 deflects allowing the protuberance 190 to be released from the notch 184. The ball and socket joint is then free to pivot until the protuberance 190 aligns with the notch 184 again.

In one preferred lighting array, the LEDs 142, 162 are controlled to illuminate consecutively along the rows from one end of the main body 120 to a tip of the indicator member 130. In this way, the consecutively illuminating LEDs 142, 162 direct motorists towards the outer end of the indicator member 130 and away from the cyclist.

The main body 120 is designed to be mounted to the bracket 112 in either horizontal orientation. When the bracket 112 is mounted to a bicycle, the main body 120 can be mounted to the bracket 112^' in a first orientation, in which the indicator member 130 extends to the left of the bicycle in the extended configuration, and a second orientation, being the inversion of the first orientation, in which the indicator member 130 extends to the right of the bicyde in the extended configuration. In order to do so, the user simply inverts the main body 120 relative to the mounting block 115. This allows the same vehicle passing guide 100 to be used on bicycles in countries which drive on left side of the road and countries that drive on the right side of the road.

Both the arm portion 134 of the indicator member 130 and the main body 120 are waterproof units, ensuring that all electrical components remain dry in wet weather. Seals are provided where wiring and other components pass through.

One significant advantage of the invention is that motorists passing a cyclist with a fully extended indicator member are warned to pass around the indicator member, which will encourage motorists to leave the recommended minimum space of about 1 metre between the motor vehicle and the cydist.

This greatly increases the safety for cyclists travelling on open roads and gives the motorists a physical indication of how great a distance to leave between the cyclist and the motor vehicle. In the retracted configuration, the vehicle passing guide acts as a rear facing indicator light in place of a conventional rear reflector or light.

The vehicle passing guide would typically be primarily constructed of a plastic material to allow it to absorb impacts when in use.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A vehicle passing guide for a bicycle comprising:

an elongate indicator member having:

2. The vehicle passing guide of claim 1 wherein the resiliently biased pivot joint is provided by a spring extending between the base portion and the arm portion.

3. The vehicle passing guide of claim 2 wherein the spring is a coil spring extending axially, internally of the base portion and arm portion and the pivot joint comprises a recessed socket on the base portion for receiving an end of the arm portion.

4. The vehicle passing guide of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the base porfiorT has a flared end to retain the base portion in the main body.

5. The vehicle passing guide of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the base portion is arranged in an elongate cavity of the main body.

6. The vehicle passing guide of claim 5 wherein the main body includes a biased lever having a push tab and a tooth, wherein:

the lever is biased to a first position in which the tooth projects into the cavity and engages the base portion, preventing axial movement of the base portion in either the retracted configuration or the extended configuration; and

7. The vehicle passing guide of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the bracket includes:

a mounting arm extending from the clamping portion; and

a mounting block adapted to detachably mount the main body to the bracket.

8. The vehicle passing guide of claim 7 wherein the mounting arm is joined to the mounting block by way of a ball and socket joint.

9. The vehicle passing guide of claim 8 wherein the ball and socket joint is adapted to be retained in a predetermined orientation by way of a resilient protuberance biased to project into a notch on the ball of the ball and socket joint.

10. The vehicle passing guide of any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein:

movement of the at least one tab to the second position allows the main body to be detached from the mounting block.

11. The vehicle passing guide of claim 10 wherein the main body has an opposing pair of said biased tabs and the mounting block has a corresponding pair of opposite shoulders.

12. The vehicle passing guide of any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein: the main body includes a power supply;

the indicator member includes a plurality of lights; and

an electrical connection extends between the power supply and the plurality of lights.

13. The vehicle passing guide of claim 12 wherein the electrical connection includes a furling ribbon cable connected to the indicator member and the main body to

accommodate movement of the indicator member by unfurling of the ribbon cable as the indicator member moves toward the extended configuration and furling of the ribbon cable as the indicator member moves toward the retracted configuration.

14. The vehicle passing guide of claim 12 or 13 wherein the base portion includes a plurality of lights powered by the power supply.

15. The vehicle passing guide of any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the lights are light emitting diodes (LEDs) supported on and controlled by a printed circuit board (PCB).

16. The vehicle passing guide of any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein the lights are programmed to illuminate in one or more lighting arrays.

17. The vehicle passing guide of any one of claims 12 to 16 wherein the lights are aligned in an elongate axially parallel row.

-18 The-vehide-passing guide^of-claim-tT-wherein the-one or-more lighting-arrays- includes an array in which the lights illuminate consecutively in a direction of extension of the indicator member.

19. The vehicle passing guide of any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein, when secured to a bicycle seatpost in the retracted configuration, the main body is approximately centred relative to the seatpost and extends perpendicular to a direction of travel of the bicycle, providing a rear facing indicator.

20. The vehicle passing guide of any one of claims 1 to 19 wherein the vehicle passing guide is adapted to be mounted to a bicycle in at least two orientations, being a first orientation and a second orientation, the second orientation being the inversion of the first orientation.