Jewel

My boys (11 & 7) are growing at a tremendous speed and I'm wanting to get them some cycling clothes that'll make them more visible now that I'm taking them, by bicycle, to school. Our income is tight, so I'm looking at trying to find some suggested places/sites that have warm, high visibility cycling clothes for two young, growing boys. I wanted to mention the fact that they're at that rapid growth as balancing the cost with practicality (invest in their safety--being seen from afar in traffic, but limiting the cost, knowing that they'll grow out of their outfits, most likely, by the end of the season). Thanks for any suggestions!

Altair 4

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...07_-1___202517

Hi viz safety vest from Nashbar - $14.99 each as I post this. Available in 3 sizes. Your kids can wear whatever warm clothes they already have underneath the vest.

no1mad 

This, except get them from Harbor Freight- $5.49 per atm. https://www.harborfreight.com/reflect...vest-3604.html. I've got one (which my 10 yr old has 'borrowed'). Tip: the closure isn't the best, but a couple of strategically placed safety pins works wonders.

cplager

Flashing lights front and rear help a lot, too in daytime.

You'll have to get the monsters (err... children) to turn them on and off, but it helps a lot.

I like the vest shown. Whether you can get your kids to wear it or not will depend on many things...

RPK79

When I was that age that thing would have been hiding in the bushes of the neighbor around the corner from my house until I was on my way back from my bike ride.

tarwheel 

LL Bean has very reasonable prices for cycling jerseys, and they are available in high viz colors. Same goes for Performance Bicycle.

Altair 4

Could be an issue, but....it looks like the parental unit is actually accompanying the juvenile units to school.

RPK79

I admit to being a skimmer.

fietsbob

We have a store specializing in past the date stuff and overstocks , they have High Viz T shirts ..

IDK what is in Your Town ..

Cougrrcj

I'd say another +1 to the reflective safety vest. Can be worn year 'round. The one I use is mesh orange with the lime-yellow reflective striping... $7.49 on sale for $5.49 https://www.harborfreight.com/reflect...vest-3604.html

rumrunn6

strobes can be moved from bike to bike as they progress through different sizes

no1mad 

Depending on the size of the kids, one benefit of the safety vest is that it should be possible to wear it over any backpacks that may also be worn while riding*.

*May be not be applicable in this case if OP is carrying the kids bags on her bike.

Little Darwin

Check out AlertShirt.com They have reasonable prices on high visibility items.

Their moisture wicking shirts work very well for me when cycling. Bright colors with or without reflective strips...

Jewel

Like this idea --LOVE the price Will check it out today!

Also, I'm not carrying either of the boys --they want to ride independently, of course

Jewel

THIS was so funny! Thanks for the chuckle. We'll have to see if the boys will follow suit... guess when I go to Harbor Freight, I better bring them with me.

Jewel

What store in your town has the overstock? I'm in Central Oregon

fietsbob

"Deals Only" , dented cans and stuff like that .. doubt its a chain.. just a business taking advantage
of the economy tanking and people dont have money ..
Gets lots of Police calls from shoplifting by those who have even less.

jputnam

I buy cheap ANSI sleeveless shirts with long tails, flip up the tail and sew it down to make rear pockets. $12 ANSI class II cycling jersey. I buy them in 3-packs so I have several of them for commuting so I can always have at least one clean.


Comfortable, conspicuous, and cheap by joshua_putnam, on Flickr

Jewel

Impressive! Wow. Great idea! Thanks

deeth82

+1...also, these are available at Amazon for around the same price.

GP

Don't forget thrift stores. This was $5.

Myosmith

Check out WalMart, Target and other big box stores as well. I've picked up a couple of safety orange and hi-viz yellow windbreakers in their running sections of sports clothing. Got one on clearance for about $8 and the other at retail was still under $25. I bought one a size too large so I could wear it as a shell over a couple of layers if need be. Both have had a lot of use and are holding up well.



The orange one didn't have any reflective surfaces so I had someone sew on a band of Scotchlite like a 1/2" arm band on each sleeve. You can get the Scotch reflective fabric tape in various widths and a lot of different colors, even black. If you know someone who sews, it is easy to add some accents to less expensive non-cycling specific gear.

ANSI safety gear is available fairly inexpensively, but you'll have to see if your kids will wear it in the fashion conscious world of grade - high school.

Just want to mention that you should be sure your boys are aware that no amount of bright colors, reflective stripes, or flashing lights guarantees safety. They should ride as if none of the drivers can see them, even if a driver looks directly at them.

Jewel

Yes, I must check thrift shops... don't know why I didn't think of this. Thanks!

Jewel

Yes, yes, sadly, this is very true. I almost got right hooked the other day (even while wearing my bright green/yellow jacket) after I had dropped off my son. There's a particularly nasty "T" street (one fast-moving two-way street with no stop/signal meets with another street that has a stop sign). I was thankful I didn't have my kids with me when it happened. I swear... the subaru turns right in front of me, saving him/herself literally 5 seconds. Needless to say, I'm trying to find that balance with the boys between, have fun/enjoy the ride AND look out, don't trust anyone.

Myosmith

I agree, you don't want to make your sons afraid to ride because of perceived danger lurking everywhere. It might be helpful to remind them that everyone on the road, driver and rider alike, is human and subject to human failures such as distraction, inattentiveness, tiredness, moodiness, and just plain screwups. The important part is being aware of this fact and riding in anticipation of the mistakes of others while avoiding mistakes of your own. If your boys are into sports, compare riding to a football play; you have to be aware of where everyone is on the field, try to anticipate their possible actions, assess your options to react to those actions, and try to minimize the consequences if the play goes wrong.