VIDEO. Retro, turn signal, brake light: are these three accessories really useful for the urban cyclist?

When we talk to him about bicycle accessories, Frédéric Kroff's face is adorned with a slightly mocking smile: “Cycling is freedom, we don't need anything!

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This bicycle purist, responsible for the communication of the association “Better moving by bicycle” specifies, however: “The only compulsory equipment on a bicycle is an audible warning device, front and rear lights, brakes and reflectors, these tips orange and reflective plastics ”.

And yet, bicycle accessories are developing as its riders multiply: to find our way around, we have selected 3 accessories that could be really useful to the urban cyclist: brake lights, turn signals, and mirrors.

"My cycling friends often bump into me"

“Me, I respect red lights on my bike.

But as few people stop, it often happens that cycling friends bump into me, ”deplores Clémence, half-amused, half-annoyed, at the edge of the rue de Rivoli.

She adds, dreamily: “What would be great is that there is a system that indicates when you brake.

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This system exists, as on motor vehicles: "Brake lights, there are some for all tastes and all prices", explains Quentin Liber, co-owner with his sister Justine of the bike shop La Roue Liber. , located in the 9th arrondissement of Paris.

From a dynamo light at 15 € to a brake light incorporating a car radar, for 200 euros.

For our part, we tested in this video a simple system, which does not require an application, waterproof, and which we slide under all standard saddles, and which detects the braking automatically: the Lucia model from The Beam ( 59 euros in store or on sites like LeCyclo.com)

"My arms, they always have drums!"

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“My arms, at least, they always have battery,” laughs Frédéric Kroff, when we discuss with him the dozens of types of indicators for bicycles on the market.

According to the highway code, it is compulsory for all vehicles, including bicycles, to indicate their willingness to change direction.

While it is possible to equip yourself with simple lights that attach to the back of the bike for around ten euros, several brands have been developing helmets with integrated lights and indicators for several years.

A small box connected by Bluetooth is installed on the handlebars, and you can indicate at your leisure the direction taken, for a budget of between 100 and 300 euros.

We really liked the Securain (Delsey) backpack for cyclists, which makes it easy to install (and uninstall) the lights and indicators from another manufacturer, Cosmo.

A remote control, which attaches to the handlebars, allows the turn signals to be turned on on the left or on the right.

Count 179 euros for the whole.

Many neo-cyclists are looking for a rearview mirror

“Before switching to cycling, I used to ride a scooter,” explains Marc, riding on the cycle path on the banks of the Seine.

“And what I miss the most is a rearview mirror to see what's going on behind me.

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Like him, many neo-cyclists are looking for a rear-view mirror, confirms Justine Liber, from the store "La Roue Liber", in the 9th arrondissement of Paris: "A rear-view mirror allows you to have a global vision around the bike without turning too much.

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While the most classic are installed on the handlebars of the bike, others are inserted and blocked at the end of the handlebars.

“Many shapes and designs are available,” adds Justine Liber, “for a budget of between 10 and 30 euros”.