Originally Posted by
Trakhak
Decades ago, Bicycling! magazine did a review of the (mediocre) lighting choices available for bikes that were then currently available. The one thing I remember from it was that under most conditions, reflective ankle bands were more effective than most of the lights tested at conveying to drivers that they're seeing a cyclist.
I've almost never ridden any of my bikes without a pair strapped to my ankles since then, regardless of what light I'm using.
I use those, the type that are very reflective. To be honest, I use them only when I'm wearing long pants.
For a while, I used a trouser band that had a battery powered light. Very nice idea, but it was not at all stretchy and was uncomfortable. You're right that making the ankle motion visible is a huge win. The problem with reflectivity is that it isn't reliable. It reflects at some angles, but you never know.
Back when bike lights were super crappy, Wonder™ (remember them) made a light for the leg. I once took a ride on an unlit country road, a very scary proposition back then. The drivers treated me very kindly. So with motion of legs, I believe you do not need much brightness.
There is a guy where who calls himself 10wheels or something like that, and he uses many, many lights at once. That is sure to be effective, but not convenient enough for me. As you said, there isn't much area on a bike, and that is a problem for helping a driver ORIENT to what and where the bike is. That's why I think two taillights having different blinking patterns might help. I used to do that. Now I think my bright and steady light coupled with a dim and blinking light might be a similarly good compromise.
To be honest, I'm in NYC, and the environment at night is pretty darned good. There are zero unlit streets, and drivers are used to cyclists. Also, speeds are not high.