Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.bmorey
10-17-10, 02:11 AM
Cyclists wearing bright fluorescent clothing at night are not as safe as they think, especially when sharing the road with older drivers, a study shows.
A Queensland University of Technology study looked at whether clothing influenced cyclists' visibility. It found older drivers failed to see riders dressed in black or in fluorescent clothing. Younger drivers were more likely to see a rider in fluorescent clothing, but overall only 15% saw the bright colour and just 2% saw a rider wearing black.
Drivers saw riders wearing a reflective vest and reflectors on their ankles and knees 90% of the time.
The study, led by QUT school of optometry professor Joanne Wood, reported cyclists often thought they were more visible than they actually were to drivers.
She said the study found reflective material on moving body parts attracted the eye more readily than a reflective vest alone.
The Age (http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/reflective-strips-help-cyclists-shine-like-a-beacon-at-night-20101016-16odw.html)
A Queensland University of Technology study looked at whether clothing influenced cyclists' visibility. It found older drivers failed to see riders dressed in black or in fluorescent clothing. Younger drivers were more likely to see a rider in fluorescent clothing, but overall only 15% saw the bright colour and just 2% saw a rider wearing black.
Drivers saw riders wearing a reflective vest and reflectors on their ankles and knees 90% of the time.
The study, led by QUT school of optometry professor Joanne Wood, reported cyclists often thought they were more visible than they actually were to drivers.
She said the study found reflective material on moving body parts attracted the eye more readily than a reflective vest alone.
The Age (http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/reflective-strips-help-cyclists-shine-like-a-beacon-at-night-20101016-16odw.html)