Commuting - Do you wear black?....Really?

I see some of you out there wearing black shirts. Are you serious? Do you want to get hit? I'm a fellow cyclist and I have trouble seeing you when I drive. Sometimes I see Bicycling magazine showing black shirts in their gear spreads and I think about writing a letter.

But, I guess this is evolution at work....

I occasionally wear a black shirt on the road when I am out of laundry. Otherwise I am outloud and proud.

I used to have a black roadie shirt with nice bright white detailing on it. I wore it a lot in the rain b/c it didn't 'look' dirty. If it wasn't a gift, I wouldn't have purchased it myself, preferring bright colors. I replaced it with a white shirt for this summer.

I don't tend to wear black at night, but during the day, it's whatever I'm wearing. My helmet is red though.

I wear black at night. I have multiple blinkies, lights, and reflecty stuff on my bags, helmet, and bike though.

Black tights and a dark blue and black jacket when it is cold.

Just count on the blinkies, head light, reflectors, and reflective things on my clothes.

Hi vis jacket is on the wish list though.

Darwin. Good parents point out the others who wear black at night(without reflectors)to their young children and call them stupid. So the kid grows up to not do it and inform his child of the idea that black is like camoflage in the dark.

I see some of you out there wearing black shirts. Are you serious? Do you want to get hit? I'm a fellow cyclist and I have trouble seeing you when I drive. Sometimes I see Bicycling magazine showing black shirts in their gear spreads and I think about writing a letter.

But, I guess this is evolution at work....

Well if you can't see me during bright sunny day in a black shirt then you are blind. If you can't seem my blinkers, and reflectors at night because I am wearing black shirt which is obscured by a messenger bag with more blinkers and reflectors then you are still blind and shouldn't drive.

Well if you can't see me during bright sunny day in a black shirt then you are blind. If you can't seem my blinkers, and reflectors at night because I am wearing black shirt which is obscured by a messenger bag with more blinkers and reflectors then you are still blind and shouldn't drive.

+10!

My club kit is BRIGHT yellow w/ red, blue, black, etc.... I've had JUST as many close calls wearing it as I have wearing camoflage (Yes, I like my cammo pants! And I have a cammo jacket that I wear occassionally as well)

Bright clothes don't do a damn thing if the person driving isn't looking.

+10!

My club kit is BRIGHT yellow w/ red, blue, black, etc.... I've had JUST as many close calls wearing it as I have wearing camoflage (Yes, I like my cammo pants! And I have a cammo jacket that I wear occassionally as well)

Bright clothes don't do a damn thing if the person driving isn't looking.

I had a "Cell Phone Driver" miss me by 18 inches coming Head-On into my lane.
As he passed I looked at him. He never saw me, Period.

I avoid black in the winter due to dusk/night conditions and black in the middle of the day in the summer due to the sun.

Nothing unsafe with black though if one has adequate lights/blinkies and reflective materials. I do notice however most of the cyclists I see wearing all dark colors lack both.

During dusk/dawn conditions white/light cars are much more noticeable than dark/grey ones. This is good as many drivers find it too much trouble to use their headlights if they can see at least 5' of pavement in front of them.

Al

I see some of you out there wearing black shirts. Are you serious? Do you want to get hit? I'm a fellow cyclist and I have trouble seeing you when I drive. Sometimes I see Bicycling magazine showing black shirts in their gear spreads and I think about writing a letter.

But, I guess this is evolution at work....


I wear whatever i want.

people get hit wearing all kinds of colors - i think the onus is more on the drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel (off the radio & cell phone!), and EYES ON THE ROAD.

besides, this is what blinkies are for.

I only wear black tshirts; pretty much all the time. If you can't see my 2 flashing led taillights, reflective stripe on my messenger bag and 3 headlights(one flashing) at night, then a tshirt isn't going to help any either.

Ride like you're invisible.

most drivers have their head up their onus is.

rectified

In broad daylight, a black shirt makes no difference on the visibility of the cyclist. Actually I would imagine black stands out better in a high contrast situation as noon sunlight. Don't you notice black sports cars in broad daylight? Don't people buy black sports cars to get noticed? They certainly don't buy them to be invisible.

At night, it doesn't make any difference what color I wear. The only way people will see me is with adequate reflective material and blinkies.

Black is my favorite color. Once you go black, you NEVER go back.

I see some of you out there wearing black shirts. Are you serious? Do you want to get hit? I'm a fellow cyclist and I have trouble seeing you when I drive. Sometimes I see Bicycling magazine showing black shirts in their gear spreads and I think about writing a letter.

But, I guess this is evolution at work....

I just got the humor in the way you phrased this. Seen and yet unseen we are apparently. In all fairness though at least in black the bees leave you alone. :D

I see some of you out there wearing black shirts. Are you serious? Do you want to get hit? I'm a fellow cyclist and I have trouble seeing you when I drive. Sometimes I see Bicycling magazine showing black shirts in their gear spreads and I think about writing a letter.

But, I guess this is evolution at work....

I'm guessing that you've never been hit.

I was hit wearing a BRIGHT white/red Spec'd shirt, yellow/gray shoes, riding a silver bike, at 1PM on a clear blue/sun shiny day, while executing a proper left-handed turn (had the green). Woman in front of me never even saw me and broadsided me when she decided to run her light.

Explain that one, oh great and powerful one.:rolleyes:

If you'd seen me today, you'd have seen me wearing a black/red anorak with gray shorts and an olive drab helmet.

When it's your turn to get hit, it's not going to matter what you're wearing. I wear what I want, when I want. I assume all cagers are dumbasses when I'm on the road.

FIDO

In the summertime in Las Vegas, I wouldn't never wear a black shirt. If I had a better physique I'd go shirtless in this heat! In the cooler months I could see myself wearing a black shirt/sweater in the day, and I'll be wearing an orange reflective vest at night.

I wear my black zip wool T shirt because I like it, it wicks moisture and doesn't stink. I have other cotton T-shirts that are bright yellow but it appears the color makes little difference in my experience. When you see a cyclist from a distance all colors tend to look dark unless you have direct sun hitting them. Riding into the sun simply makes you a silhouette. I have a white helmet and use tail and headlights at night or when it is especially rainy or foggy plus at dusk.

Ninjas are a self solving problem: they either die or grow up.

I don't wear black shirts while riding in the spring/summer because it makes me feel too warm in the sun & humidity. During the cooler months, I wear a bright yellow jacket so it really doesn't matter.

However, I do feel safer wearing brighter colors... ;)

I see some of you out there wearing black shirts. Are you serious? Do you want to get hit? I'm a fellow cyclist and I have trouble seeing you when I drive. Sometimes I see Bicycling magazine showing black shirts in their gear spreads and I think about writing a letter.

But, I guess this is evolution at work....

Well what do we have here. It's Big Nanny.

Please stop showing everyone how much of an idiot you are. There are too many of you already.

OK, Mary?

I see some of you out there wearing black shirts. Are you serious? Do you want to get hit? I'm a fellow cyclist and I have trouble seeing you when I drive. Sometimes I see Bicycling magazine showing black shirts in their gear spreads and I think about writing a letter.

But, I guess this is evolution at work....

The really cool thing about this forum is, I can come in here every day and get the sensation that my dear departed mother is talking to me.

Well if you can't see me during bright sunny day in a black shirt then you are blind. If you can't seem my blinkers, and reflectors at night because I am wearing black shirt which is obscured by a messenger bag with more blinkers and reflectors then you are still blind and shouldn't drive.

You never go into shade? Under the shade of trees your narrow profile and black clothing can make you invisible... especially if the motorist has glare on the windshield from that bright sun.

I was driving up a local large hill a couple months back and saw a guy disappear in the shade. He was wearing black. We happened to converge at the next red light... I mentioned it to him. He had no idea.

I wear mixed colors... as some colors may blend with background colors... friend of mine once asked... how come you always seem to have orange on. I only smiled. Of course to a color blind driver... I too may disappear in the shade. :eek:

Whatever OP. Lights, blinkies, reflectors, etc. If you miss all that, it won't matter what color shirt I'm wearing.

I see some of you out there wearing black shirts. Are you serious? Do you want to get hit? I'm a fellow cyclist and I have trouble seeing you when I drive. Sometimes I see Bicycling magazine showing black shirts in their gear spreads and I think about writing a letter.

But, I guess this is evolution at work....


What are you the safety nanny \ fashion police rolled all into one?

When I was hit by a car I was wearing a nice bright jersey and a very bright yellow messenger bag. Did it help? Obviously not. I still went flying through the air. Landing sucks.

You never go into shade? Under the shade of trees your narrow profile and black clothing can make you invisible... especially if the motorist has glare on the windshield from that bright sun.

I was driving up a local large hill a couple months back and saw a guy disappear in the shade. He was wearing black. We happened to converge at the next red light... I mentioned it to him. He had no idea.

I wear mixed colors... as some colors may blend with background colors... friend of mine once asked... how come you always seem to have orange on. I only smiled. Of course to a color blind driver... I too may disappear in the shade. :eek:

I have driven and ridden through plenty of areas that have shade and never have encountered that problem. Maybe you need to have your eyes checked? Your comments are very similar to this very nice older lady who said I shouldn't ride at night because she had trouble seeing me with two blinkers (one is bright enough that I can't even look at it directly), ankle reflectors, reflectors on my messenger bag, with additional illumination provided by street lights. She didn't seem to appreciate my comment that maybe she shouldn't drive because she is blind.

As a new commuter thats already been downed due to an unattentive motorist (i never hit the car though, i had a wrestle match with the curb instead), when your number is up, its up--end of story. I was wearing all the "proper attire"--i.e. bright orange reflective vest, white helmet, bright red bike---didnt make a difference.

I have ridden without the proper attire also. I personally feel safer with the bright colors on, and while i have been driving past bikers this past week due to my injury, i can say i notice the bright colors far faster than those not wearing them. I think its a matter of personal preference, i know for me, id rather be easily seen than not---even if it doesnt work in my favor.

Darwin. Good parents point out the others who wear black at night(without reflectors)to their young children and call them stupid. So the kid grows up to not do it and inform his child of the idea that black is like camoflage in the dark.

How do they point them out if they can't see them?

http://lh5.ggpht.com/toddorado/SDI1ua69GvI/AAAAAAAAAJw/wzH8sd3H2YM/s288/alicecoopergolf.jpg

Alice Cooper golfs in black. In Arizona. In the summer. If it's good enough for Alice, it's good enough for me. Black looks cool on the right bike.

While I do wear black fairly often, I don't think it counts because I wear an ANSI reflective vest over the top of it. I like to be seen, but neon colors just don't do it for me. Safety yellow and reflective striping do.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/toddorado/SDI1ua69GvI/AAAAAAAAAJw/wzH8sd3H2YM/s288/alicecoopergolf.jpg

Alice Cooper golfs in black. In Arizona. In the summer. If it's good enough for Alice, it's good enough for me. Black looks cool on the right bike.

When in the summer? At night? ;) That picture does not look like a 118F mid day AZ desert summer, but possible.

Al

I wonder if Alice rides a bike to the golf course, or drives a street legal golf cart. (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=6723410&postcount=8)

The really cool thing about this forum is, I can come in here every day and get the sensation that my dear departed mother is talking to me.

It really is kind of sweet. "It's chilly, honey. Maybe you should wear a sweater on your bike ride.... A nice bright sweater."

:D

How one rides in traffic is far more important for ones safety that what one wears.

I prefer hi-vis ANSI lime t-shirt for commuting, but I would never suggest it is what help keep me safe vs. a different shirt. I do however think every bit one does for visibility can help one be noticed especially with changing conditions and backup for primary visibility tools and methods.

Al

I wear black sugoi pants and jacket.
Sometimes a black Ninja suit!

When in the summer? At night? ;) That picture does not look like a 118F mid day AZ desert summer, but possible.

Al

Al - Alice lives in Arizona and is a 5 handicap. He spends a lot of time on the links. Fore!

http://lh5.ggpht.com/toddorado/SDI1ua69GvI/AAAAAAAAAJw/wzH8sd3H2YM/s288/alicecoopergolf.jpg

Alice Cooper golfs in black. In Arizona. In the summer. If it's good enough for Alice, it's good enough for me. Black looks cool on the right bike.

:roflmao:

Al - Alice lives in Arizona and is a 5 handicap. He spends a lot of time on the links. Fore!
Yeah I know he is often in the local media, has some bar downtown too, or is it still open? That course doesn't look like how AZ desert should look in the mid summer, thats all. It is hard to imagine someone on the links in mid summer mid-day not wearing a hat or sunglasses, surprised he would take them off just for a photo op. That is far stranger than a black shirt.
Golf is much cheaper mid summer mid day.
Al

Black very loose fitting breathable fabric (like cotton) in very dry hot sunny conditions may be cooler than white clothing that touches lots of skin. Although sources for this may be wrong basing this on casual observation of desert dwellers vs. careful study.
Al

It is the stuff of which legends are made, golfing midday in Arizona. Even cooler is that golf is what helped Alice kick his alcohol habit. I prefer warm weather riding to cold, but have not yet experienced riding in a kiln, aka Arizona. But it's a dry heat, no? ;)

It is the stuff of which legends are made, golfing midday in Arizona. Even cooler is that golf is what helped Alice kick his alcohol habit. I prefer warm weather riding to cold, but have not yet experienced riding in a kiln, aka Arizona. But it's a dry heat, no? ;)

Yeah, it was 110F today, no kidding. But it felt real nice since it was only 5% RH. :roflmao:

Let's just leave it that cycling in 119F (highest yet for me) is different, especially since the UV index at those times is often over 13. Record HI for me is >130F during monsoon when it is 110F and nearly 40%RH (this does not include the 15F direct sun adder)

One consideration of HI is this from NWS: "Exposure to direct sunlight can increase the HI by up to 15°F." Places with high humidity tend have lower intensity of sunlight, at least that was my experience living in Houston for several summers.

Al

http://www.stevelange.net/images/steve_and_kids_sm.jpg
I'm a horrible person :p

Steve

I have a black rain jacket, but it has lots of reflective trim and accents. I have a black helmet, but it has a blinky mounted at the back (and soon will have Heads Up Lemmings in reflective lettering). The time I came closest to being hit was on a chrome bike with 7 lights, a hi-viz vest and lots of sparkly bits. I'm not about to start riding in plain black with no lights at night; that aside, the black I wear isn't a problem.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Samuelw72/P3260017.jpg

I have trouble seeing you when I drive.

You probably shouldn't be driving then.

I see some of you out there wearing black shirts. Are you serious? Do you want to get hit? I'm a fellow cyclist and I have trouble seeing you when I drive. Sometimes I see Bicycling magazine showing black shirts in their gear spreads and I think about writing a letter.

But, I guess this is evolution at work....

http://users.ca.astound.net/bdeal/halloween/2005/FeliciaEyeChart_large.jpg

Without my glasses I can't read the top C on that chart in the dr. office

I commute in my work clothes, which often means a dark suit or sport jacket. I really don't have any alternative. During daylight hours, this doesn't worry me too much. If I'm returning home after dark, I have adequate lighting, along with reflectors, on my bike. I don't concern myself much with what I'm wearing.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/toddorado/SDI1ua69GvI/AAAAAAAAAJw/wzH8sd3H2YM/s288/alicecoopergolf.jpg

Alice Cooper golfs in black. In Arizona. In the summer. If it's good enough for Alice, it's good enough for me. Black looks cool on the right bike.

Heavy Metal Golf! Yeah! What's next, Metallica playing la cross?

and I concur with Noisebeam, that looks way to green to be summer. They keep the fairways green in the summer but beyond that it goes downhill fast.

Yesterday felt like 90 or so to me. Still, I got my first jersey soaking of the year in. Shear bliss. I can't imagine wearing black in the summer here for any kind of a ride.