A cycling helmet with built in brake lights and indicators has managed to raise almost three times its target in a crowdfunding appeal.

The Lumos helmet aims to make cycling safer and more convenient for riders. The new invention tackles that sinking “someone has stolen my bike lights” feeling many of us have experienced, and also means drivers can be better warned when cyclists are slowing or turning.

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The brake lights are entirely automatic, thanks to an accelerator, which takes note when you begin to slow down. The braking symbol is based upon car braking lights, and has a very similar and universally understood message.

The turning lights are operated by a wireless handlebar mounted remote – click once to indicate, and once to turn the indicator off. This removes the issue of drivers being unclear which way you’re turning, especially at night.

This feature could also be handy on those turns following long, steep descents – where it’s not always possible to remove a hand from the bars (written like someone who lives at the bottom of a 20% hill!).

The helmet does, of course, need to be charged – but this can be done via a micro USB cable. You’ll probably need to refresh the battery around once a week, if you use the helmet for 30 minutes a day. It’s water resistant and comes in white and black, with all the air vents and safety certification you’d expect.

Available from $99 (£63) the helmet already has already gained the support of 2,681 backers. They’ve raised a total of $341,730 (£218,728) – almost three times the $125,000 goal.

It’s not the first time a product has been launched, offering us the ability to indicate like drivers, and it’s also not the first helmet with an integrated light. 

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The string of well received inventions sends a clear signal that cyclists are looking for ways to make themselves safer on the roads.

Particular success for the Lumos, we feel, could be down it its everyday appearance – it works and looks like any other cycling helmet, but manages to incorporate useful safety features.

Would you be likely to order one of these, and do you think they could make cycling safer?