Originally Posted by
Milton Keynes
Yes, I would never rely on reflectors alone, although on occasion while driving I have seen unlit bicycles with the standard reflectors shining in my headlights, and it was enough for me to know that it was a bicycle. So reflectors do work. Not as good as lights, but they do work and will at the very least warn drivers that there is a bicycle ahead. Better than not having reflectors while riding at night, but of course not as good as having lights.
I mentioned it in another thread, one night there was a bicycle several hundred feet ahead of me. He had a rear reflector and reflective bands on his ankles. The rear reflector was far, far more attention getting than the ankle bands were. When he was somewhat off to the side than directly in front of me the reflector still caught part of the light and was noticeable while the ankle bands were not that reflective without light hitting them directly.