I finally started wearing a hi-viz vest, and I am pleasantly surprised to realize that motorists are being more careful around me. I know - everyone here already knows that and I should have started long ago. But I'm the sort who really doesn't like to wear bright colours, so getting this on was a tough mental hurdle to overcome. It wasn't helped by the fact that most hi-viz jackets are expensive and would replace my existing jacket, meaning I would need more gear for different temperature ranges. Till I ran across this at (of all places!) Ikea:
PATRULL Reflective vest - L/yellow - IKEA


It cost me $4, and I wear it over my existing jacket/t-shirt/whatever I happen to ride in to work in. Time will tell how it holds up, but at $4 (and a 5 mile return trip) I think it will last for a while. And I'm more likely to get a better, more expensive one next time after this low cost experiment.

So anyone sitting on the fence about a hi-viz jacket, try out the Ikea vest.