Aardvaark Ankle Biters Reflective Leg Bands

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By Kirby Beck, PCI #002T
Coon Rapids (MN) Police Department (ret.)

I’ve always believed that police bike patrol is the most effective at night. Bike cops are the “submariners” of the police world, with stealth and surprise being their biggest tactical advantage. However, percentage-wise, more bicycle-motor vehicle crashes involving death and injuries happen during the night than during the day. Because there are fewer cyclists at night, motorists have a lower expectation for cyclists to be out on the roadways, and the percentage of impaired and distracted drivers tends to be higher. These factors, among others, require cyclists to make themselves more visible and conspicuous to other road users.

Traffic safety researchers discovered decades ago that pedal reflectors are the most effective bicycle-mounted reflectors with respect to helping overtaking drivers detect and identify cyclists. This, in turn, helps drivers respond to the cyclist safely. The distinct, bi-lateral, up-and-down motion of the pedals and cranks, when illuminated by headlights, says “BICYCLIST” to a driver faster than any other reflector or taillight.

The combination of retro-reflection, bi-lateral motion and the low position on the bike all work to a cyclist’s advantage. Since low beam headlights are ideally aimed slightly below the horizon, and slightly toward the fog line (the solid white line marking the road’s edge), reflectors mounted lower on a bicycle or cyclist will be seen earlier and appear brighter than those mounted or worn higher.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has long required bicycle manufacturers and retailers to install certain reflectors on new bikes sold. Among these are pedals reflectors. Many current pedals are not conducive to mounting effective reflectors, so bikes are often sold without pedals to overcome the CPSC requirement. So-called “clipless” pedal systems like SPD, Crank Brothers Eggbeaters and others, often have no room to mount reflectors. Neither do many of the high-quality flat pedals which have been gaining in popularity. Even “conventional” pedals, on which toe clips or cages are often installed, may not have effective pedal reflectors because they often break off. That is especially true when used in public safety work and training.

Some cycling shoes feature reflective material, but most I’ve seen have so little reflective material that it is functionally ineffective.

Years ago I discovered these wonderful little items – Aardvaark Ankle Biter Leg Bands – in a local bike shop. I was looking for a simple product to supplement the reflectors on my pedals and shoes for night riding. While they were actually designed to secure pants legs to keep them out of the chain, their reflective qualities are excellent. The straps are 13 inches long and one inch wide. They are made of light weight but very durable nylon. They secure to your leg or ankle with Velcro® hook and loop fasteners. Roughly half of the width of the strap is bonded with high quality, yet thin and flexible, 3M Scotchlite™ reflective material. For those who may not know, 3M is THE leader in reflective material technology. This stuff is the best!

I found that I could secure them over my socks at the ankle, just above my shoes. The reflective portion of the material wraps nearly ¾ of the way around my ankle, providing multi-directional effectiveness. I usually rotate them so the gap in Scotchlite™ material faces the bike frame, where it won’t matter. They are so lightweight and flexible that, when worn over the socks, you forget they are there. In terms of cycling safety, their effectiveness at increasing visibility in a driver’s headlights can’t be overstated.

My “Ankle Biters” are black with silver Scotchlite™ material. Depending on the color of your socks, they may blend in and appear to be part of the socks. They certainly don’t look unprofessional, especially considering the other gear public safety cyclists wear. They also come in yellow, red and blue for the more fashion conscious.

I realize that some police officers are uncomfortable with retro-reflective material on their uniform in certain tactical situations. Another advantage of these is they can be quickly and easily removed and stowed in a pocket or rack bag, if so desired.

A quick online search found them available at several sources. They are sold separately and average around $5 per leg band. It appears some vendors sell them in cards of 25. You can supply your whole bike team! Perhaps some of our IPMBA vendors might even find it convenient to carry them, should the demand for them arise.

If you are looking for a simple, inexpensive and effective way to enhance your nighttime bike patrol safety, wrapping a couple of these Aardvaark Ankle Biter Leg Bands around your ankles can do just that. Stay Safe.

Kirby retired after 28 years with Coon Rapids Police Department. He has 14 years of police bike patrol experience. He has taught bicycle safety and traffic cycling to children and adults for more than 25 years. As a training consultant, he co-taught the Bicycle Safety and Accommodation Course for the National Highway Institute, sponsored by NHTSA and FHWA. A founding member and past President of IPMBA, he was co-creator of the IPMBA Police Cyclist Course and Instructor Course. He contributed to both the Complete Guide to Police Cycling and the Complete Guide to Public Safety Cycling. He can be reached at kirbyp42@aol.com.

Photos courtesy Kirby Beck.

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