xuwol7

I do, something like this:
Cordova Flame Resistant 5 point Breakaway Class 2 Hi Vis Safety Vest - Large: Men : Walmart.com

Does that make me look like a "Fred", probably but jimmy crack corn and I don't care, I want to be SEEN.

I commute by bike and take the bike trails when I can but I mostly commute on busy streets as I think they are by far safer.
My family and friends think I am nuts for riding in heavy traffic and when I do, I take the lane, obey all traffic laws and ride my bike as if I was riding a motorcycle.
I keep up with traffic so it is all good (and a good workout).

They thought all bicycles belong on the sidewalk until recently when a young lady riding on a sidewalk got ran over by an SUV, was dragged for 2 blocks and died. (I guess she was texting on her phone and not paying attention).
There was a lot of news coverage on this with experts etc saying taking the lane and riding in traffic is the safest way to commute by bike.
Now my family and friends think I am not so nuts (well maybe a little because they think commuting by bike is crazy anyway...lol).

I even wear the vest if I am just doing intervals on the trails, habit I guess.

Nice day out, time to go and ride (with my vest)

What say you?

fietsbob

Ive got a Carhartt high Viz hoodie sweatshirt and a Winter Parka from them (getting its water repellancy re applied as we speak at the cleaners )

Yea wear the vest .. many a Bike tourist on the coast, here, do that all Summer ..


Walmart caused all the stores to close other than them? too bad.. it happens a lot. its what the want .. monopolies..

-=(8)=-

I wear one in the winter. Its huge so it fits over my backpack too. I look like a mutant safety M&M
I think car ppl look pretty funny, so na na nah na na , we're even

gregjones

I wore one 1 time. The flapping about sucks.

Now, I wear a safety colored tee shirt when I'm going to be in high traffic areas. Gildan makes a "BryBlend", 50/50 cotton-poly, that I really like in the hot weather.

J.C. Koto

I totally agree about the vest flapping. My torso isn't big enough to fill it up so it's sorta like a sail. I also agree about the safety-colored T-shirt, much less cumbersome and annoying than the vest when the weather permits.

That said I still like the vest when I have to wear a jacket or coat since it doesn't flap around as much.

gregf83 

If it was a monopoly it wouldn't be cheap. No one wants monopolies.

fietsbob

except the ones consolidating into the monopoly.. the ones already Monopolies want their regulatory agencies in government to be toothless

Seems to work well .. regulators get jobs in the places they were regulating all the time .. the revolving door is lubricated with Money.

wolfchild

I use them during fall/winter...I have some Hi Visibility shirts, the same ones that road construction crews use. Bought them at an industrial supply store. Large size fits over my regular clothing but it's a snug fit and it doesn't flop around a lot when riding.

John Lesar

You can get a HiVis vest at harbor freight for 3 bucks.

tds101 

I'll be using my nyct safety vest once the daylight starts to fade early come fall. I'll be riding along a darker 9+ mile course home and I'd like to be noticed.

As for being called a "Fred", who cares. If Fred can make it home safe and sound being a Fred is a badge of honor!

linnefaulk

I would worry that someone would think I was panhandler stealing a bike.

J.C. Koto

Do ..do panhandlers really wear safety vests in your area?

linnefaulk

Unfortunately, yes. The city gave them out to help them be more visible.

wolfchild

Translation of the above post: Anybody who doesn't wear cycling specific clothing while riding a bike, is making themselves look like a panhandler.

Atvar

I do, almost all the times I ride.

Plus, in Italy it is compulsory to wear a safety vest while cycling after the sunset.
To prevent the vest from flapping, I usually add an hi-viz reflective Sam Browne belt.

gregjones

Atvar................that Speed Metro is one nice looking bike.

Hub Spanner

I always wear high viz gear when commuting. May be overkill in summer, but nice during dark winter evening commutes home.

I wear Pearl Izumi stuff and I never have "flapping" problems with my vest.

I don't care what I look like. I wear a big Nutcase helmet, a reflectorized Timbuk2 backpack and old-style metal bicycle clips, too. I'm helping spare our air by riding a bike; folks who have the time to care about how I look need to get a life anyway.

-Hub
t: HubSpanner

Mark Stone

I wear one as part of my uniform at work, so it's convenient to wear it on the bike, also. I figure it couldn't hurt.

linnefaulk

Not at all.

MacNasty

When I'm biking on greenways or rail to trails I am not as concerned about hi vis clothing. On the street and I am wearing the hi vis yellow. Purchased some short and long sleeve shirts with a waffle weave direct from Key Clothing. Very nice and highly visible.

Reynolds 

Not for commuting, but I wear one on the rare occasions I ride on unlit paved country roads at night.

Jim from Boston

Anyone commute with a Hi Vis Vest?

I’m a decades-long, year round-commuter in urban and suburban Boston, and one of my rules is “Make yourself as visible as possible and assume nobody sees you.”

I have a high visibility jacket with detachable sleeves good for summer and winter riding. It’s quite roomy and allows for a heavy winter jacket, so it does flap a bit, but it has a lot of pockets for conveniently carrying things.

However I wear a black backpack, so I bought a cheap, industrial Hi Vis vest to cover the backback to provide a complete reflective surface. To add to the ensemble in winter I have reflective Gortex booties that wrap around my bulky riding shoes to provide extra warmth as well as visibility. I only wear them in the winter or rainy weather though.



Note also two, left and right-hand rearview mirrors on my goggles, but don't get me started about that.

Hub Spanner

Lookin' good, there Jim! I like your style!

-Hub
t: HubSpanner

Alex_is_emo

I just bought one of these recently. New Yellowish Green High Visibility Safety Vest Soft Polyester Mesh Reflective | eBay

Leisesturm

Not saying you are wrong, but I wonder how you arrive at this conclusion. Care to share?

What is the in-town speed limit where you live?

who wasn't paying attention, the driver or the cyclist?