How safe is high-visibility clothing?
#176
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I use to believe that a solid red taillight was the most visible and safest, and that blinking was just confusing to drivers, until I tried a blinking light about ten years ago and I realized that I too was afforded more room by most passing motorists, and it even seemed to extend to using the blinking taillight during daylight hours. When I asked several co-workers who pass me often on my rides to/from work, each told me that the blinking light caught and maintained their attention better that just a sustained red glow.
I dont think drivers are confused by flashing bicycle lights either (they learn pretty-quickly what they represent). Anyway, being confused isn't necessarily a bad thing since they are aware of a thing to be confused by it. I suspect that some collisions are due to drivers being aware of the cyclist too late (later than they need to be able to avoid the cyclist).
I can offer no scientific analysis, but it does occur to me that more "non-natural" flashing warning lights flash for a reason, and since that has become customary in most traffic situation, people have been "programmed" to recognize the purpose of a flashing light. I have alway ridden since then with my taillght blinking and I am confident that it is a safer approach.
The longer the distance that something can be noticed increases the likelihood that it will, in fact, be noticed.
As for the florescent green vs bright yellow debate, again I would suggest that the florescent green used is a "non-natural" occurring color and it will stand out more than any other color commonly seen. I believe that this, and the fact that it was found to be more visible when seen through a smokey environment, is why many if not most, rescue/firetrucks used on airfields are painted this color.
Another reason is that yellow-green appears brighter to the human eye.
A range of wavelengths of light stimulates each of these receptor types to varying degrees. Yellowish-green light, for example, stimulates both L and M cones equally strongly, but only stimulates S-cones weakly. Red light, on the other hand, stimulates L cones much more than M cones, and S cones hardly at all; blue-green light stimulates M cones more than L cones, and S cones a bit more strongly, and is also the peak stimulant for rod cells; and blue light stimulates S cones more strongly than red or green light, but L and M cones more weakly. The brain combines the information from each type of receptor to give rise to different perceptions of different wavelengths of light.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Eyesensitivity.png
Last edited by njkayaker; 01-21-13 at 01:50 PM.
#177
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To the general public who have been fed a line of crap about cycling being incredibly dangerous, and helmets being far and away the most important safety gear on a bike, it makes perfect sense to think that the risk of hitting a helmeted cyclist is lower -- without a helmet, you might kill them if you hit them!
#178
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.....Another reason is that yellow-green appears brighter to the human eye.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_vision
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Eyesensitivity.png
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_vision
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Eyesensitivity.png
Ride Safe!
#179
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To someone who understands that magic foam hats are bunk, yes, it makes no sense.
To the general public who have been fed a line of crap about cycling being incredibly dangerous, and helmets being far and away the most important safety gear on a bike, it makes perfect sense to think that the risk of hitting a helmeted cyclist is lower -- without a helmet, you might kill them if you hit them!
To the general public who have been fed a line of crap about cycling being incredibly dangerous, and helmets being far and away the most important safety gear on a bike, it makes perfect sense to think that the risk of hitting a helmeted cyclist is lower -- without a helmet, you might kill them if you hit them!
Last edited by njkayaker; 01-22-13 at 09:46 AM.
#180
The Recumbent Quant
I'm not saying I buy the theory, but if it is true, I don't think it is supposed to be a conscious decision on the part of the driver. Or, maybe, drivers look and see somebody who isn't wearing a helmet and somehow decide "Hey, that person is an idiot. I need to give them more room than usual."
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The "drivers choose to get close because there's no problem running into cyclists if you don't kill them" "theory" is really wacky.
I wouldn't express it that way but this one is more likely (as I said earlier).
#182
The Recumbent Quant
There are other much-more-likely unconcious decisions that would explain the behavior. If you are going to guess at a hypothesis, guess a reasonable one. jputnam's "theory" is pretty wacky.
The "drivers choose to get close because there's no problem running into cyclists if you don't kill them" "theory" is really wacky.
I wouldn't express it that way but this one is more likely (as I said earlier).
The "drivers choose to get close because there's no problem running into cyclists if you don't kill them" "theory" is really wacky.
I wouldn't express it that way but this one is more likely (as I said earlier).
I've seem some news articles suggesting that the effect was real and others suggesting that it wasn't. I'm certainly not going to ride without my helmet because of it.
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As far as I know, there was one study by Ian Walker that showed the "close passes of helmeted riders" behavior (maybe, it was the first study).
It might be useful to read what he says about the limitations of the results he found (you might have to poke around for it).
https://www.drianwalker.com/overtaking/
https://bamboobadger.blogspot.com/200...rebuttals.html
Note that he (and others like the FDOT) showed closer passes to cyclists who were ostensibly male than to cyclists who where ostensibly female. Presumably, that means that drivers think that males are harder to kill!
https://www.trafficsafetycoalition.co...977-01_rpt.pdf
Last edited by njkayaker; 01-22-13 at 04:42 PM.
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Re flashing lights.
The vast majority of animals notice things that are moving far better than stationary objects. A flashing light is just an extension of that.
While a cyclist is moving it is not really much relative to the background siince we are often going in the same direction as the car whose driver hasn't noticed us.
The vast majority of animals notice things that are moving far better than stationary objects. A flashing light is just an extension of that.
While a cyclist is moving it is not really much relative to the background siince we are often going in the same direction as the car whose driver hasn't noticed us.
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Here's some support for the idea that flashing lights are more conspicuous.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/ca...1975023659.pdf
https://www.quora.com/Is-it-easier-to...ntinuous-light
https://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2006JLVEn..30..156I
Flashing lights are used for visual guidance lights for aircraft navigation and traffic signs for the aid of maritime transportation, as they are more conspicuous and distinguishable than fixed lights.
Flashing Signals - Lights may be made to flash. Contrary to popular belief, a flashing light is more difficult to detect initially than a steady one of the same intensity. However, once detected a flashing light is more likely to demand inquiry or be taken notice of than a steady light. In order to maintain the same signal range, the intensity of a flashing light will need to be increased over that of a steady light (Cole 1972, Holmes 1971).
Last edited by njkayaker; 01-22-13 at 05:16 PM.
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I wear a high vis vest, it might not be very stylish but then I don't need to look stylish while cycling. From the point of view of someone who used to drive a lot you should never wear black, not if you want to ride at night. I don't think a lot of cyclists realize how much they blend into their surroundings, they might feel that they're visible because they have lights and a couple of reflectors but when you have car lights, streetlights, lights from shops etc it can be really hard to see them.
A reflective vest wont stop you being killed, but it increases your chances of being seen in the first place and you do hear so many drivers claim that they didn't see them, it's often assumed to be the cyclists fault, so anything you can do is good.
A reflective vest wont stop you being killed, but it increases your chances of being seen in the first place and you do hear so many drivers claim that they didn't see them, it's often assumed to be the cyclists fault, so anything you can do is good.
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Most of us on this forum probably drive, also--so what is your experience when driving? What is more visible to you from inside a car or on a motorcycle? I know that bright clothing is more visible without any doubt--I've seen it from the side that counts!
#188
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From my observation, if there are a lot of strong lights on the street, such as when you are riding among many vehicles, the reflective clothing you wear mingles with the surrounding lights so you are not so visible. It seems reflective clothing has the best effect when you are in the dark and only some few light sources are directed at you. Thus, neither too much light nor too little light would be helpful, and the few lights need to be directed in certain angle, so the scenario for reflective clothing to work is very limited. It is better than non-reflective, for sure, so good to be used as a back-up in case your bike lights stopped working (or were stolen). Just like the reflectors on the bike.
#189
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Blinkies, from the rear. I was riding my motorcycle to work one morning a couple of months ago and turned a corner to head east, where the sun was coming up. I saw a blinking red light at least a half mile away, as I had a long straight stretch there. I couldn't tell what it was until I got closer, but when I caught up it was a guy on a bicycle with a plain Planet Bike blinkie. I told him it worked.
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I think it important to be seen and be able to see no matter what I look like. Hi viz wear is my preference and rear view mirrors were practical along with good lights. I am trying out an helmet mirror I have just made, which surprisingly is very practical. I am relatively new to cycling and see the danger to cyclists much more now, than when I drove my car. It amazes me that some road bikers still choose not to take precautions. "See and be seen".
#191
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I think it important to be seen and be able to see no matter what I look like. Hi viz wear is my preference and rear view mirrors were practical along with good lights. I am trying out an helmet mirror I have just made, which surprisingly is very practical. I am relatively new to cycling and see the danger to cyclists much more now, than when I drove my car. It amazes me that some road bikers still choose not to take precautions. "See and be seen".
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I Liked the helmet mirror idea but couldn't get used to it being in my vision all the time to block potential front views. Maybe Ill give it another go, The general thought for me is anything that lessens the risk of a potential hit has gotta be tried at least.
John
John
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I have a a high vis white vest somewhere. Since my bike is lit up like a christmas tree anyway and I have reflective strips sewn into my bike gear I don't feel that it makes much difference. If however I'm wearing work clothes on a commute then its useful.
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I wear hi-viz yellow/green clothing because it's what I notice best when I'm driving. Same with blinkie lights.
I also wear it to make my/my family's lawyer's job easier if I ever am hit.
I also wear it to make my/my family's lawyer's job easier if I ever am hit.
#196
The Recumbent Quant
You can also try handlebar mirrors. My handlebars are actually quite high relative to my head so this works extremely well for me (I ride a recumbent). This may or may not work out in your case, but it's certainly worth a try. I can't imagine riding without mirrors now.
#197
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that's always been my mantra as well....my family will own anybody in court that says they didn't see me.
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It does block potential views of low-flying birds, but not of oncoming traffic.
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I question whether visibility is the most important factor in safety. If it is, there are coatings that will make your bike light up like a Vegas casino when a headlight hits it. One guy has added that coating to a lot of other safety features for an uber-safe ride--more of a demonstration project, I guess. (Check it out here: https://www.recreati.com/2013/01/25/toward-a-safer-bike/ ) It's an interesting argument about the chain cover. On the one hand, it seems like an unnecessary encumbrance. On the other, I have gotten clothes cut/caught in the chain, and I take care.