I disagree. Good clean reflectors start to "glow" noticablly in my eyes long before the object is in the light where I can see it. But, lights would be better still. Granted, most car drivers only see the bike from the side when the bike is crossing their path of travel. So yea it may be too late if they see you from that angle no matter what lighting conditions. All the more reason to be lit up. That half second of braking from the car may be enough to get you out the path...

While I agree with your point that lights would be better, that's not necessarily true that reflective bits only help when the car is aimed at you. Sure, that's when refelctors help most. But reflectors reflect all light so it could reflect light from another source, not just the car's headlights. And it doesn't have to be a direct light source. When I open my garage on sunny days, my reflective safety vest "glows" from the shadows. There is no light hitting it except whatever light is reflected off the white concrete - well beige concrete - driveway. Granted, again, lights would be better still.

KnoxBreezer -I like the reflectors on the helmet but don't forget the reflective anklets and safety vest. Should you happen to fall off the bike, you want to be seen ...

What kind of tape did you use? And how was the application?