Abstract from Fall 2013 Term Paper

Introduction
One of the key safety aspects of any bicycle is its lighting. Several options are currently available for riders to choose from. At present, the lighting devices sold are small compact units that can attach to the bike or rider. Most are powered and controlled from internal circuitry. Because of this common design, these devices aren’t easily controlled. Lighting or signaling devices mounted out of reach of the rider are simply not controllable. Those that can be reached, require the rider to let go of the steering, posing another safety issue.

This is demonstrated in Matt Sondermann’s YouTube video,

This project will utilize the Arduino to control the lighting and signaling on an electric bicycle. A switch cluster installed on the handle bars, next to the grips, will allow the rider a safe option of control. The switch cluster will set the mode of operation for the Arduino to control the lighting, without regard to were the lighting is placed on the bicycle.
The added benefit of using the Arduino for control is a low cost feature rich system. This will allow multiple operation modes of lighting and signaling to satisfy almost any riding condition. Due to the nature of the Arduino architecture, expandability and integration with other systems is available as an option. This design is ideal because it eliminates identifying the type of usage the system will be deployed in.

The entire paper can be read here