Bicycle lighting systems and methods

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing adequate lighting and sighting for a bicycle are disclosed. A lighting system that includes an illumination ring configured to be coupled to a wheel is also disclosed. The illumination ring is configured to simultaneously project light forward and to the side of a front wheel and to project light rearward of and to the side of a rear wheel. The illumination ring may be mounted to or integrated with the bicycle wheel. Methods of controlling light sources on the illumination ring are also disclosed.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A lighting system for a wheel, comprising:
 a plurality of light emitting elements configured to statically couple to the wheel;   a controller coupled to the light emitting elements that controls each of the light emitting elements to operate between:
 a lit mode wherein the light emitting element projects light radially outward of the wheel when the light emitting element is within an arcuate area defined from a reference point, the arcuate area having an arc length of less than 360 degrees; and 
 a dim mode when the light emitting element is outside the arcuate area; and 
   an electrical connector that connects the controller to the light emitting elements.