Advocacy & Safety - Reflectors, Tape, Lights ....

I can't remember where I saw the post .... On one of the bike forums, someone started a post about reflector tape ....

Today I rode around the shopping mall, and checked out six different stores. I found reflector tape at two auto parts stores, but decided to try out the oval reflectors (4 1/2 x 2 inches), both amber and red. Put two amber and two red on my Townie (on my rear basket), and one amber on my Switchback (rear rack).

Also have two very bright and highly noticable flashing red lights on my Townie, along with two smaller bicycle red reflectors (also on the basket). Now to take my Townie out at night on a dark street and see just how visible I am .... !!!!

Also have a small red flashing light on my helmet ... I could even wear my road crew reflector jacket ... Maybe that would be overkill ... ???

Now all I need is a couple extra reflectors on each wheel ..... !!!

A strobe on your helmet, similar to those found on aircraft and school buses!

Maybe that would be overkill ... ???


No....overkill is when several vehicles run over you because they didn't see you.

If you have a marine supply store nearby, stop in and ask for some SOLAS tape.

I can't remember where I saw the post .... On one of the bike forums, someone started a post about reflector tape ....

Today I rode around the shopping mall, and checked out six different stores. I found reflector tape at two auto parts stores, but decided to try out the oval reflectors (4 1/2 x 2 inches), both amber and red. Put two amber and two red on my Townie (on my rear basket), and one amber on my Switchback (rear rack).

Also have two very bright and highly noticable flashing red lights on my Townie, along with two smaller bicycle red reflectors (also on the basket). Now to take my Townie out at night on a dark street and see just how visible I am .... !!!!

Also have a small red flashing light on my helmet ... I could even wear my road crew reflector jacket ... Maybe that would be overkill ... ???

Now all I need is a couple extra reflectors on each wheel ..... !!!

I don't see that you have a flashing white on the handle bars. I run with mine on no matter what time of day or conditions. It tells car drivers that there are bikes on this route.

A strobe on your helmet, similar to those found on aircraft and school buses!

Hey now ... that sounds very cool ... !!! Where can I get one ... ???

If you have a marine supply store nearby, stop in and ask for some SOLAS tape.

We don't have any marine suppliers in town, or nearby. Can you, or someone, recommend a good online source to order the SOLAS tape?

I don't see that you have a flashing white on the handle bars. I run with mine on no matter what time of day or conditions. It tells car drivers that there are bikes on this route.

I assume you mean "Flashing white lights?"

I've been looking at those truck reflectors, trucklite, signal stat, etc all have big catalogs and napa auto parts stores can order them. I found a reflex light though, its a reflector with a LED in the middle so it doubles as a reflector and light.

I can't remember where I saw the post .... On one of the bike forums, someone started a post about reflector tape ....
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Now all I need is a couple extra reflectors on each wheel ..... !!!

How about one or more on each spoke?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/3091334255_9ea3d763c0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ufobike/sets/72157607858717173/)

Lightweights reflectors (http://www.lightweights.org/) go on each spoke, and I got mine from Performance Bikes (about $13.00 USD).

The other reflective films I got were from MultiCraft Plastics (for Avery A7 reflective film) and FastSigns (for 3M Scotchlite films).

With time and patience you can even do your entire bike...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3153/2697269351_23ccd92f6e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ufobike/2697269351/in/set-72157606341007268/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3263/2697285923_eb1bc8befd.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ufobike/2697285923/in/set-72157606341007268/)
If the reflectors don't work, you might try a LAWs Rocket...

I've since added lightweights to that bike too.

Abyssinia,
K'Tesh

I just received my order of a reflective vest with 16 flashing red led's--with the vest, flashing white led's on my helmet front, a red blinky on the back of my helmet, plus my bike's flashing headlight and blinky taillight, my wife says I look like Robocop. I'm very ok with that. The vest is from ledtronics.com, about $20 plus shipping, tax in CA.

I just received my order of a reflective vest with 16 flashing red led's--with the vest, flashing white led's on my helmet front, a red blinky on the back of my helmet, plus my bike's flashing headlight and blinky taillight, my wife says I look like Robocop. I'm very ok with that. The vest is from ledtronics.com, about $20 plus shipping, tax in CA.

Robocop ... one of my favorite movies ... !!! Wonder if you could get a ticket if your bicycle (and you!) are shining to brightly .... ???

I bought a Dinotte tail light to use for night rides. I becamce concerned over daytime visibility and ecided to turn it on for day rides. It flashes in a strobe like pattern and is incredibly bright. I highly recommend one. They are costly, but they are the brightest lights I have ever seen for bicycles. Since using it for daytime rides I rarely have a motorist accidentally buzz me. Knock on wood!

Biggest concerns I have are

- daytime visibility
- nighttime visibility for overtaking cars without proper headlights

I use a fair amount of reflective materials as well, but I think it's easy to overestimate the value of reflective tape when using flash photography.

Lots of tape here.
http://www.identi-tape.com/index.html
Hope this helps.
Seth :thumb: