Originally Posted by
Fenway
I'd recommend one of the Amphipod Xinglet jogging cross belts. It's the same kind of reflective harness/belts that police wear for motorcycle/traffic directing duty. Very lightweight, reflectively, hi-viz lime green straps, fits over any clothing, and best of all folding into something as small as a knit cap.
I just got one of those (not the flashing one). I find it ideal for cycling, for all the reasons you already stated. Plus the model I have has a small pocket in the chest portion - perfect for stowing the mini garage door opener, so I can activate it and roll right in without fumbling in either my jersey pockets or trunk bag.
Originally Posted by
Dunbar
I still think Dinotte tail lights are among the best daytime visible tails you can buy. The 300R or 400R are all most people need and the daytime 400R light is among the brightest money can buy (yes I know there are brighter lights out there.) For a front flasher that is daytime visible you probably don't need to spend more than ~$50. The more expensive headlights just allow you to see the road in front of you in the dark.
When I got my 300R I was surprised how much brighter and noticeable it is compared even to my 2-watt Niterider Solas. I have the 300R on continuous in the dark and flashing during my daylight commute with the two Solas flashing (both in the dark and during the daylight) mounted on the seat stay. Yeah, I'm pretty sure anyone paying any sort of attention to the road ahead of them will notice me.
Since part of my commute is on unlit surface streets until I get to the unlit MUP, I do want more than a $50 light. In my case I started with a Niterider Lumina 650, then added a Dinotte XML-3 (claimed 1200 lumens) - and I'm thinking of adding a dynamo setup the next time I replace a front wheel. Still trying to figure out which I prefer on the bars and which on the helmet. These run either in continuous or flashing mode, depending on whether it's dark or light outside. Pricey? Maybe, but I think it's money well spent. YMMV
Originally Posted by
tarwheel
Lots of cyclists seem to be using faulty logic to assume that hi-viz clothing doesn't help. Just because you got hit by a car wearing hi-viz does not mean that it doesn't work. You could reach plenty of similarly bad conclusions using that logic:
- Helmets don't work because I got hit by a car while riding with a helmet.
- Brakes don't work because I got hit by a car while riding a bike with brakes.
- Lights don't work because I got hit by a car while riding a bike with lights.
- Etc, etc.
Try using some common sense. Hi-viz clothing makes you more visible -- much more visible. That's why highway crews are required to wear hi-viz clothes. Scientific studies have proven that hi-viz yellow-green is the most visible color to most people. Google it if you don't believe me. Making yourself more visible makes it much more likely that drivers will see you, but it doesn't guarantee it. There are no guarantees with any safety measure. If you get hit while wearing hi-viz clothing there could be many explanations. The driver could have been texting, talking on the phone, tuning their radio or any number of actions that took their eyes off the road. The driver could have been distracted, daydreaming or simply a bad driver. The driver could have intentionally hit you or meant to give you a scare. The driver could have been color blind. Likewise, the cyclist could have been at fault. The cyclist could have been weaving or veering to avoid a pothole. The cyclist could have taken too much of the lane. The cyclist could have been riding in the dark with no lights.
You know what I think? A lot of cyclists refuse to wear hi-viz clothes because they think it's ugly or nerdy. I can understand that, but I value personal safety over appearances. Apparently many cyclists feel otherwise judging by the numbers of them I see wearing black, gray or dark clothes while cycling on busy roads.
+1000000
Hi Viz clothes, multiple lights up front, multiple lights in the rear, bells, horns, defensive lane positioning, situational awareness, etc. These all will decrease the potential for an accident. None will eliminate the possibility of an accident. You can do everything right, and just be unlucky enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Originally Posted by
Leebo
Sort of safety related, do you use a mirror?
Of course. I find it much easier to glance in my mirror to see who/what is behind me than to keep turning my head. Plus, at night, a quick glance in my mirror tells me if my Dinotte 300R is positioned correctly ('cuz it "paints" the pavement behind me with red light).