Originally Posted by chaadster

I appreciate the reply, but you make all the assumptions that I doubt, namely that drivers decide to hit things (you mention signs and mailboxes) but don't hit things they recognize as bicycles. It doesn't make sense to me.

Drivers hit things because they either don't see them or because they aren't paying attention. A modern, bright taillight is sufficient if the driver is paying attention, and nothing is sufficient if they aren't.