Originally Posted by
burnthesheep
I have always thought the side reflections are a bit late since the car only saw the reflection likely 2 seconds before they hit you.
Bright front lights ftw. If you look like a car headlight coming, better.
Originally Posted by
CarloM
+1. I don't use any wheel/pedal reflectors. Powerful headlight and tail-light, and if you can get a head- and tail-light with the "viewable from the side" feature, that's better than reflectors.
Best side visibility at night is with wheel mounted LEDs. Nothing else makes a bike pop out of the background clutter of other cars and city lights like rotating LEDs. They add a little weight and I use 'em only on my hybrids for casual rides and errands. But I may add some to my steel road bike since it won't add significant weight.
For now my compromise is helmet lights, little but bright USB blinkies strapped front and rear. I got 4 years of regular use, several times a week, from a Blackburn 2'Fer before its runtime per charge significantly decreased.