Bring the Party to the Streets with an Audio-Reactive NeoPixel Bike System!

After experimenting with NeoPixel-style addressable LEDs, Natasha AKA TechnoChic — who happens to be a member of a bicycle club in Jersey City that goes on rides at night throughout the summer — decided to apply this tech to her bike for an epic illumination setup.

To control the LEDs attached to the bike’s frame, Natasha is using an Arduino Nano 33 IoT connected to a music source via a 3.5mm audio jack. This allows it to blink in time with the beat (without picking up wind noise), and a 16-button keypad is implemented to change color and lighting patterns. Power is supplied by a USB phone charger-style 10,000mAh battery pack, which provides plenty of juice for hours of riding.

What's more, both wheels also feature an array of LED lights, arranged in three spoke patterns that emanate from the hubs. Each is independently driven by a separate Nano 33 IoT and powered with a smaller 2000mAh Li-ion battery. The eventual goal is to link these to the central controller via BLE for lighting coordination.

The system was designed for easy installation and removal using Velcro fasteners, with the strips inserted into plastic channels for safekeeping. The wheel's electronics are housed inside of clear waterproof ID holders, which would be a good trick to remember for other small projects that are susceptible to a variety of hazards!