Illuminating shoelaces increase safety for joggers and cyclists The innovative shoelaces contain light emitting diodes the size of a flea and are activated by the wearer tapping their shoes together. 15th December 2020 Textiles experts at Nottingham Trent University have designed shoelaces that light up and flash to improve safety at night for joggers and cyclists. Created by researchers in the Advanced Textiles Research Group (ATRG) in collaboration with leading science and engineering company QinetiQ, the laces are also intended as a fashion accessory. The braided shoelaces contain light emitting diodes (LEDs) ‘the size of a flea’ and are switched on or off by the wearer tapping their shoes together, ATRG says. As the LEDs are encapsulated in a waterproof resin, the laces are fully washable and wearable so they can be worn and used like any other pair of laces, the group adds.