Best helmet color for visibility
10-02-16, 05:38 PM
#26
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Helmet color is important for the members who have opted for all black bikes and having matching black clothing. The helmet stands as the one remaining item that can be used to make them more visible (lighting aside). The surface area of a jersey has much more impact on visibility vs. the relatively small viewable cross-section of a helmet.
Visibility makes one an easier target.
Real answer, I agree. Helmet color is the least important bit of kit if focus is on being seen.
10-02-16, 06:02 PM
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Both of my helmets are white. Neither help much in being visible to drivers.
A cree flashlight, however, is EXTREMELY effective. A higher lumens tail light is great, too.
Off topic, I would love to see a comparo between:
1. dinotte
2. flare r
3. nite rider solas 150 and/or cygolite hot shot pro 150.
The nite rider and cygolite are about $50; I'd love to see how effective they are compared to their pricier competition.
A cree flashlight, however, is EXTREMELY effective. A higher lumens tail light is great, too.
Off topic, I would love to see a comparo between:
1. dinotte
2. flare r
3. nite rider solas 150 and/or cygolite hot shot pro 150.
The nite rider and cygolite are about $50; I'd love to see how effective they are compared to their pricier competition.
10-02-16, 06:04 PM
#29
Non omnino gravis
Next time you're out riding, watch approaching riders and see how close they have to get before you can even tell what color their helmet is. Helmets are (relatively) small, and usually about 1/2 vents. The color borders on inconsequential. My current helmet is black, the one before was black, and the one before that was black. I seriously doubt it makes the least bit of difference with regards to my visibility to others. Wear an electric lime jersey, no one will even notice you're wearing a helmet.
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10-02-16, 06:22 PM
#30
Senior Member
PINK.
Years ago a cycling magazine did a test to see what colors were most visible to motorist. The surprise color was pink. It beat safety orange, yellow and even red. My theory is the color mimicked flesh on the road and gets your attention.
Years ago a cycling magazine did a test to see what colors were most visible to motorist. The surprise color was pink. It beat safety orange, yellow and even red. My theory is the color mimicked flesh on the road and gets your attention.
10-02-16, 06:26 PM
#31
Senior Member
I'm surprised to see white listed at all. It blends in with cloudy skies, old pavement, cement, and snow. The shadows created by vents act to camouflage your head further.
I think fluorescent orange and pink are the winners for visibility. The larger and less interrupted the better. I regularly see people riding with hi-viz and not so hi-viz helmets and apparel. Those super popular (in certain crowds) yellow jackets aren't as eye-catching as pink or orange. And seriously, more is better when you're on the road. Just leave your bright stuff outside the coffee shop.
I think fluorescent orange and pink are the winners for visibility. The larger and less interrupted the better. I regularly see people riding with hi-viz and not so hi-viz helmets and apparel. Those super popular (in certain crowds) yellow jackets aren't as eye-catching as pink or orange. And seriously, more is better when you're on the road. Just leave your bright stuff outside the coffee shop.
10-02-16, 06:31 PM
#32
Recusant Iconoclast
10-03-16, 01:35 AM
#33
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most people say white, but i disagree cause white is the most popular color for cars and i would think it's pretty easy for the helmet to blend in with a car in front or on the side of you when you're riding, especially if you're riding solo...
me personally, i use a Cannondale Green POC Octal, and it's pretty bright and it will stand out considering the color. their AVIP helmet stands for Attention Visibility Interaction Protection, and it only comes in White and Orange cause in their opinion those are the 2 most visible colors when it comes to helmets, and they refuse to make it in black (even though black is the most popular color for a helmet, and they can easily make a lot of money on it) cause they're trying to promote visibility...
me personally, i use a Cannondale Green POC Octal, and it's pretty bright and it will stand out considering the color. their AVIP helmet stands for Attention Visibility Interaction Protection, and it only comes in White and Orange cause in their opinion those are the 2 most visible colors when it comes to helmets, and they refuse to make it in black (even though black is the most popular color for a helmet, and they can easily make a lot of money on it) cause they're trying to promote visibility...
10-03-16, 08:02 AM
#34
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I apply a joke that I made up when it comes to being noticed or trying to maximize visibility based on my 10 years of motorcycle riding:
You can have searchlights shining, strippers (both male and female) dancing, a blimp flying overhead, Disneyland fireworks going off and even a nuclear explosion occur....
...somebody is not going to notice (insert item; i.e. a Stop sign, a motorocyclicst or a bicyclist).
I understand the point of the thread is to maximize visibility but I've given up on that because it's the on person that doesn't see you that is going to hit you; I just do my best to anticipate any stupidity that could occur while on-the-motorcycle and ride accordingly. I just ride on bike trails when I'm on the bicycle...and ride the same way (assume that no one sees me) because there are plenty of pedestrians and children (younger then 10 y/o) on bicycles that are hazards.
You can have searchlights shining, strippers (both male and female) dancing, a blimp flying overhead, Disneyland fireworks going off and even a nuclear explosion occur....
...somebody is not going to notice (insert item; i.e. a Stop sign, a motorocyclicst or a bicyclist).
I understand the point of the thread is to maximize visibility but I've given up on that because it's the on person that doesn't see you that is going to hit you; I just do my best to anticipate any stupidity that could occur while on-the-motorcycle and ride accordingly. I just ride on bike trails when I'm on the bicycle...and ride the same way (assume that no one sees me) because there are plenty of pedestrians and children (younger then 10 y/o) on bicycles that are hazards.
10-03-16, 09:28 AM
#35
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I'm pretty sure it's been discussed to death over time that a shirt is much more visible than helmet. I full solid safety green shirt is usually considered to stand out the most.
Lights can help too. But nothing will help against a driver not paying attention, and bright attractive lights can actually attract a driver right into you... someone who is drunk suffers the same effect of a moth to the flame.
10-03-16, 01:42 PM
#36
Senior Member
Since neon shorts aren't going to be fashionable any time soon, how about bright seat bags?
10-04-16, 09:20 AM
#37
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With respect, I do not feel adding more lights is necessary or the answer. One really good light is all one needs. There really is nothing that even comes close to the Dinotte. The flare and others really pale by comparison. And really how does one know that the light is working? This is the answer, when cycling and you find all the cars holding back to pass you until the opposite lane is clear and then finding the cars moving into that lane to pass, day or night. By this criteria the Dinotte is superb. And plus you want quality, The Dinotte I purchased three years ago is still going strong.
I find it interesting that people spend hundreds of dollars on helmets, an item marginal at best in doing what it's not even advertised to , i.e. prevent concussions and save lives, then skimp and buy cheapo lights that are throw away rather than spend a bit more and get something that almost makes a helmet unnecessary by preventing accidents in the first place.
I find it interesting that people spend hundreds of dollars on helmets, an item marginal at best in doing what it's not even advertised to , i.e. prevent concussions and save lives, then skimp and buy cheapo lights that are throw away rather than spend a bit more and get something that almost makes a helmet unnecessary by preventing accidents in the first place.
How good is the Dinotte in daylight? The Flare R is great for daylight.
10-04-16, 05:44 PM
#38
Senior Member
It's 400 lumens. I believe the Flare is 65 lumens. You can see it a mile away. If you are riding with someone you have to lower the brightness ( three levels). Cars will move to the other side of the road when they pass.
10-05-16, 07:03 AM
#40
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Is that the same with the Dinotte? Or you can only appreciate the powerfull light at night?
10-05-16, 07:04 AM
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10-05-16, 07:50 AM
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10-05-16, 11:29 AM
#43
Portland Fred
Before LED lighting was any good, the only decent light systems were HID. The light those things threw was a totally different color as well as brighter so people using them really stood out from everything else in the environment.
10-05-16, 11:41 AM
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two instances involved motorists hitting me broadside at controlled intersections...one rolled a stop sign, the other started a right turn, changed her mind and proceeded thru a red light. both were in broad daylight with excellent visual conditions. one driver was on a phone, the other was elderly.
the other incident was being hit from behind in a dedicated bike lane...also in broad daylight. was a hit/run, so no details on the driver's condition.
you could have a rotating aircraft nav beacon on your head and some drivers would still hit you.
bottom line is that simply wearing a bright color doesn't guarantee your safety.
10-05-16, 01:21 PM
#45
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That said, I think that the trend towards gaudy fluro orange and yellow bike clothes is unnecessary - I don't have any problem seeing cyclists in the distance, no matter what they're wearing and I think that any driver who is actually paying attention (not distracted) will easily see any bicyclist in a safe distance. Any driver that's not paying attention or is distracted will not see the cyclist no matter what he/she is wearing.
I think the bright fluro colors are more for the cyclist's sense of well being rather than actual safety. But that's just my opinion.
Last edited by Camilo; 10-05-16 at 01:25 PM.
10-05-16, 04:51 PM
#46
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Any broken up pattern is less visible than a solid color. That's the theory behind camo patterns, even the blaze orange camo that some hunters use. The helmets pictured are less than optimal for the OP's stated purpose, as are bright jerseys that have printing and patterns that break up the color.
10-06-16, 12:14 PM
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A couple complete guesses re: the above.. Camo is done in the same colors found in the background -- eg. browns and greens in wooded areas, whites and off whites in snowbound areas, etc.. There aren't too many fluoro environments that a helmet with these colors is going to blend into. Maybe blaze orange camo for hunters works, because the animals they're hunting are color-blind in these areas of the spectrum so these patterns are viewed as eg. middle-gray patterns in a middle-gray environment, while keeping other hunters from shooting them accidentally?
10-06-16, 09:43 PM
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My observation
Good luck.
PS - If you really want visibility, I would think a flashing light would be the best and one of those prismatic reflectors should help make you much more visible when the car approaching you has lights on.
- WHITE is best at NIGHT
- NEON YELLOW is best during the DAY
- RED looks almost black at night and doesn't stand out in lots of situations during the day
Good luck.
PS - If you really want visibility, I would think a flashing light would be the best and one of those prismatic reflectors should help make you much more visible when the car approaching you has lights on.
