Advocacy & Safety - Hi vis/Reflective Vest for dark jacket?

OK I just accidentally closed the window on a longer winded version of this post so here's the nutshell.

I commute in NYC and recently have been paranoid that my visual profile is too dark. I would like to balance my visibility with practicality in terms of the gear that I have and what I'd supplement with.

I have a North Face jacket (http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?productId=221) that I love and wear as a shell but it's much too dark. I recently ordered an Illuminite jacket (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=137&subcategory=1215&brand=&sku=13034&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=) but a) it was too small b) I wasn't sure it would cut it as a similar quality shell, especially in the winter.

I've thought about simply getting a reflective vest to put over my jacket when I ride, but then again I wear a messenger bag which would partially obscure it.

I do ride with lights (Serfas front blinkie, PB blinkie on my bag, blinkie armband), have my helmet pretty much covered in reflective stickers, and actually just ordered some more lights ( PB Super Spot , and helmet blinkie ) that I'm picking up today.

Do you guys think a colored vest would be enough? If so what recommendations would you give?

Thanks and sorry if I seem over cautious , but better than safe than sorry.

It can't hurt to get one of those DOT or similar vests. Besides once they're worked in the look pretty cool. They'll look good over a dark jacket for sure, and any more scotchlite that shows up is a bonus.

It can't hurt to get one of those DOT or similar vests. Besides once they're worked in the look pretty cool. They'll look good over a dark jacket for sure, and any more scotchlite that shows up is a bonus.

I love the concept. I'd be psyched to have one that actually said "TRAFFIC" , haha. ;)

Any other suggestions? Links are appreciated!

I have this one (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/sm-nathan-tri-color-reflective-vest--pi-512187.html) in orange. It is very small, light and you don't even know it is on. Slips over helmet and probably a messenger bad i presume.

http://dsp.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/p166194dt.jpg

I have this bag in the larger size, same color: http://www.globetrotter.de/jpg_prod/u/ub3441197.jpg
It's pretty bright in the day time and isn't dark at night. Another benefit is that it matches the color scheme of a lot of the seats on the subway so people think it's cool, heh.
You know, with the amount of money you spent on lights and stuff you could've bought a Niterider taillight too. I can't stop raving about it. Every time I'm at the front of the line waiting for the light with cars and I turn around, I see this huge red spot in the face of the driver behind me. It's about as bright as one of those LED rear lights on the bus.
Or you can have a blinking or solid center red light on the back. Then attach two cheap ($15) amber lights on solid on the back on each side of the stay. Makes you wider and cars seem to recognize orange/red/orange as caution, slow moving vehicle.
Or my personal favorite, a HID with a red lens mounted backwards. Blind everything for 1/4 mile behind you.

Do you guys think a colored vest would be enough? If so what recommendations would you give?


I was in Modell's the other day and saw these running vests that had some reflector dealies on 'em and they were under 10 bucks...maybe that coupled with some tape on your bag.

Tape on the bag is a good idea. I have a Timbuk2 also but I got black/black/red...didnt' even think about visibility. At least it has those reflective flaps and I attach a blinkie to the provided strap.

What's all this Niterider talk? I'm pretty happy with the red PB LEDs I've got going. I just attached the helmet mounted one to boot, so I think I'm decent on that level.

The Super Spot is insanely bright on the front! Whoo!

I see Modells (http://www.modells.com/product/index.jsp?productId=512187&cp=&page=8&keywords=vests&searchId=10386555321&doVSearch=no&clickid=topnav_search_img&pageBucket=0&parentPage=search) is selling that same Nathan's vest. In orange I think I could handle it... The price is certainly right.

I just bought these gloves (http://www.galls.com/style.html?style=GL231&assort=general_catalog) that the police use directing traffic. They are spandex and super thin. I wear them over all my other gloves. A winter glove with insulation might pack down, but I think they are worth the effort.
They are great for signaling. It is dark and raining here, I just rode in front of my friend in his truck and he said they looked great.

I also picked up this vest (http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/productdetail.jsp?xi=xi&ItemId=1613541294&ccitem=) today for $8.00. It is ok for the the price. I tried it on the road and my friend said it was ok, better from the front. The problem is it is not long enough to really go down your back when bent over, but it still works. That is one very nice feature about the nathan's vest. The one I have is also very lightweight mesh, so it will not get hot in warmer temps.

I really would like to get this vest (http://www.galls.com/style.html?style=HS185&assort=general_catalog). It is made to much higher standards with scotchlite reflective material, which works great. They are out of stock at the moment and I am not sure if it will be too short in the back, but it sure would be hard to miss.

Someone had posted this website (http://www.awdirect.com/awdirect/catalog.cfm?dest=itempg&itemid=17337&secid=72&linkon=subsection&linkid=63) in another thread. They sell 3M Silver Retro-reflective Fabric Tape by the roll to sew on. I cannot tell if it is scotchlite or not, but it looks like it. I might just get a roll and add a horizontal strip to the cheap vest I have. I could always hang one down the back too and see if it work.

I really like the gloves, hand signaling in the dark always seemed pointless since most gloves have very little reflective material, with these there should be no question, plus I think it puts motorists on high alert. They are not used to seeing it and they pay attention (hopefully) a bit more than normal.

Galls.com also has a lot of other vests and scotchlite adhesive reflective material in an assortment of colors, sizes and lengths. My next project will probably be adding some to my helmet.

Galls has a lot of really good stuff. Dad used to get the catalogs constantly.

Je suis désolé que mon président soit imbécile. Je n'ai pas voté pour lui


Best sig ever!

http://www.glowdog.com/products/p00055.htm

Harbor Freight! Cant beat it at 5.99. More reflective material than the 22 dollar vests.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=3604

Looks good. The only reason why I would lean towards the BikeALite / Crateworks one is the rear length which is a great design concept for bikers. A longer vest means my bag would have less chance of obscuring it entirely.

http://www.infinityproducts.com/RefelctiveSafetyVests.htm

Choice of text it seems. All you have to do is buy 12 ;)

or, http://www.southwestpublicsafety.com/refsafves.html

less options, but you only need to buy one - and one does say Traffic Control

Put a dog safety vest on your bag, or sew reflective tape on it. Then a vest for you as suggested by many others here.

I use a hi vis that was sold for hiway workers, but I also have a hunting vest that has lots of pockets, and I plan to add reflective tape to it. Then I can keep my gloves, balaclava and blinkies in it when I am not riding.

Put a dog safety vest on your bag, or sew reflective tape on it. Then a vest for you as suggested by many others here.

I use a hi vis that was sold for hiway workers, but I also have a hunting vest that has lots of pockets, and I plan to add reflective tape to it. Then I can keep my gloves, balaclava and blinkies in it when I am not riding.

Dog safety vest? Now that is one of the best ideas I've heard in a long time!!! :)
I wouldn't go for the regular orange colors, though. Since I started reading threads like this I've been looking out for what cyclists are wearing, not just cyclists. Orange doesn't stand out that much to me, but the white and neon yellow/green really do. Add reflective striping and they're super.

We've got a Harbor Freight outlet a few towns over. Was over there last week, and picked up a reflective flagman's vest that is so bright it almost hurts. Open mesh. Will fit over anything.
$5.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/03600-03699/03604.gif

Neon orange doesn't stand out to you? Madness!

Thanks for all the responses! For the short term I think I'm going to go with the Bikealite vest. I'm sold on the length and specific reflectors for the biking pose.

https://www.crateworks.com/images/store/pro201.jpg

And if need be maybe add some tape to my bag or bike. The dog vest is a pretty clever suggestion so brownie points!

Tape on the bag is a good idea. I have a Timbuk2 also but I got black/black/red...didnt' even think about visibility. At least it has those reflective flaps and I attach a blinkie to the provided strap.


yeah I caved and bought one of those suckers today but it's all black. :/ guess the concern was more on not being seen. still, a good bag.

I saw an ad in a British Bike Mag for a cover to go over your bag that is bright yellow with lots of reflective tape on in. I'll see if I can find a web address. I have put my bright yellow pannier cover over my back pack. That works.I have also just put a regular safety vest over the back pack. Just wrap it over and bungee it on.

yeah I caved and bought one of those suckers today but it's all black. :/ guess the concern was more on not being seen. still, a good bag.

Where'd you get it? I'd return it, go to the Bag House on broadway and get the bright version.
I had a black bag and the new orange/yellow/orange can be seen from like 10 blocks away.

Where'd you get it? I'd return it, go to the Bag House on broadway and get the bright version.
I had a black bag and the new orange/yellow/orange can be seen from like 10 blocks away.


haha, that's where I went in the first place! But it grew on me, and plus it's easy to match with stuff. ;)
Fits real snug when riding, which is great, but I hope the lining doesnt tear too easily.

The lining doesn't tear in my experience. But just make sure you have it closed tightly in the rain otherwise you'll get a nice puddle perfectly preserved in your waterproof bag. :)

From experience on the "receiving end" (driving a car behind cyclists), I would not worry so much about reflectors on your torso so much as reflectors on your arms and hands (if you use hand signals, that is -- if you're a non-believer please stop here).

I have seen many guys lit up like christmas trees on the body, but with black arms, gloves, etc.. When they go to make hand signals you simply cannot see their hands or arms, effectively making the signals useless. I think excessive lighting on the torso exacerbates that problem, you're so busy looking at the body that you don't see the hands.

In NYC, you would be very hard pressed to find any cyclists ever using signals, and chances are most motorists wouldn't recognize them if they did.

My concern is that I don't want to be a cycling ninja that a car will never see until it's too late.

I think the turning of the head and looking back gets to drivers a lot more than the hand signals in NYC. Then again, the LBS that's down the block from my house sells this brake light/turn signal/rear light system that seems pretty cool, if not a bit corny.

In NYC, you would be very hard pressed to find any cyclists ever using signals, and chances are most motorists wouldn't recognize them if they did.

My concern is that I don't want to be a cycling ninja that a car will never see until it's too late.

When I change lanes or merge into traffic or do anything that might cause a conflict with a motorist, in place of the "proper" signals, I just point emphatically to where I'm going. Usually, NYC traffic being what it is, I'm reaching directly into the driver's line of vision. Traffic immediately ahead of me allowing, I try to make eye contact, also.

Sounds like a great vest, but lights are what really draws attention and helps you to be seen.


http://www.sheldonbrown.com/reflectors.html

Neon orange doesn't stand out to you? Madness!

Thanks for all the responses! For the short term I think I'm going to go with the Bikealite vest. I'm sold on the length and specific reflectors for the biking pose.

https://www.crateworks.com/images/store/pro201.jpg

And if need be maybe add some tape to my bag or bike. The dog vest is a pretty clever suggestion so brownie points!

A little late...but here's a vest to compete against to Bikealite/Crateworks:

http://www.reflexsafety.com/artpic/289

http://www.reflexsafety.com/proddet.php?IDArt=289
(It comes in lime as well.)

My only concern is that you might get some rude comments as to where the end of the vest points to. ;)

NYC-- forget only passive illumination, that is only a bonus. All that counts is combo of active/passive illumination.

Is your active strong enough?

Active Illumination questions?
[ ] -- amber front safety lights at 45 degree angles?
[ ] -- is your rear light at least equal to Cateye TL LD-1000?
[ ] -- is your headlight bright enough for drivers to see you? Don't ask can I see, ask a friend to look at your in your environment and ask "Do I stand out?"

Is your passive illumination enough?
[ ] -- reflective glove spots?
[ ] -- reflective leg accents/stripes?
[ ] -- reflective tape on rims or reflective sidewalls?
[ ] -- additional reflective surfaces on bike rear?
[ ] -- reflective tape outlining bike frame so drivers can instantly recognize this strange object as a bike?


Good luck.