IF you are a commuter, spoke reflectors and reflective tape do work. It's a supplement to your front and rear lighting system to give or make your side more easily visible to cross traffic at night. Dawn and Dusk conditions are the most difficult to see and very dangerous times and you would need to use a powered lighting system, like the led spoke lights, and orange reflector tape (CalTrans workers wear reflective orange vests during dawn/dusk and reflective yellow for most other lighting conditions and many commuters are starting to wear reflective safety vests/jackets). You can't be riding under perfect sunlit and clear visibilty conditions year around or at all times of the day/night, where cars/trucks can see you are there or ride in a group to your destination. Even for cars/trucks, certain paint colors blend in with the background in dawn/dusk lighting conditions and drivers won't notice you until they are virtually on top of you.

Aesthetics or function is often in conflict with the individual cyclist, esp when it comes to safety items or add-ons. What you can add to your bike or wear to be safer on your commute while maintaining the "proper look" is something nobody really knows nor is it standarized. But the locals or posters in this forum will be quick to offer their opinions.