Batman236

Here's my situation: I ride a black and silver bike with little bit of red on it. It's an older bike and I am hoping to get a new one soon. I wear black shorts, a bright red shirt, and a somewhat dark hat (don't start getting on my case about the hat, I know I should wear a helmet and am planning to get one soon).

Here is the issue: My dad is concerned that I am not visible enough and thinks that I should get a lighter colored hat. No big deal, but my plan was for my next bike was to go with a yellow and black color scheme; yellow shirt and a predominantly black helmet, with perhaps some yellow in it. I doubt there are even any yellow helmets out there that I would like (I was planning on a higher end Giro).

My argument however, is that in most cases a dark helmet is actually more visible. My thinking is that most objects at head level are lighter colored; tree trunks, stop signs, houses, buildings, etc., and that a dark helmet would contrast these objects.

I should mention that I respect my dad's opinions and understand entirely where he is coming from, but I just think that a black and yellow color scheme, even (or perhaps, especially) with a dark helmet, is about as visible as you can get.


So what do you guys think?

genec

I wear a black and white helmet... takes care of either light or dark backgrounds.

Bekologist

don't wait. Your DAD wants you to wear a lighter colored HAT?

Are you two both bonkers? MAKE him buy you a cheap helmet, whatever color. Save up and get the one you want later. Color coordination is NOT a good reason to not wear a helmet.

chephy

I wouldn't call tree trunks light-coloured... I think black is about average for visibility during the day. Better than gray, but doesn't stand out much at all. But I think if you have a yellow jersey/jacket, that should take care of visibility. And, of course, have lights at night.

Batman236

Knew I was going to garner at least one reply like this .

You're probably right though. I should get a helmet. But I will not "make" my dad buy me anything. I am his son and I respect that. The thought of "making" is totally disrespectful. Besides that, I can afford a helmet just fine myself My responsobility, not his. I don't have to ride the bike anyway, I ride it because I want to.

Should he be concerned about my safety? By all means, yes.

Should he have to buy me safety equipment for an extracurricular sport? No. He has a family of eight to feed already.

Sorry for the rant. There just seems to be too little respect these days.

jsharr

What you need to worry about is finding a shirt that matches the color scheme of your next nursing home and that hides drool stains well, because that is all you are going to need after you crack your skull open. I have been riding for over 20 years and can recall more one instance where I know my helmet has saved me from serious injury. I have broken a helmet clean in two and walked away from the accident. Not sure I could say that if I had been helmetless. Do yourself and your loved ones a favor and go buy a helmet, even if it is only a WalMart special. If you want it to match your ride, but some spray paint at the same time.

ken cummings

I am a bit confused here. Are we talking about color co-ordinated fashion here or survival out on the roads? The only advantage I can see in dark gear is that it does not show dirt as well. I am stuck with a blue helmet 'cause that was the only color in the 7 3/8th head size I needed. Hi-Viz pink/fuschia gets a faster reaction than yellow. I keep telling non-cyclists, "I do not care if you laugh when you see me, it means you did see me." But then I get kicks from riding on open freeways and in heavy traffic at night. Wear a black helmet by all means and stay off of the busy roads.

Bekologist

eight mouths to feed, or seven mouths and one feeding tube if a bad injury happens while you are wearing those hats you and dad think are acceptable safety headgear?

I'm sorry for giving you a hard time over this, but you and dad should recognize you both know better, bite the bullet, and buy that helmet tomorrow.

Last summer, when I put my head thru the Jeeps' windshield, my color coordination scheme was entirely secondary. I've been crashing bikes for over 3 decades, and have ALWAYS been happier when I've been wearing a lid.

chicbicyclist

Ah, the fear mongering is already making thier rounds.

Here's a cool bag that will make you visible:


https://www.solisstyle.com/solishop/p...oducts_id/3962

I just got it yesterday, and the people at my LBS absolutely loves it.

sbhikes

Screw the helmet color choice. What difference does black or white make? Just get one in any color.

For real visibility get a high-visibility green/yellow jacket or vest, or one of those vests that the road workers wear with the bright orange or green/yellow fabric and reflectorized strips. Other things you can get include an orange and yellow safety triangle which you can attach to the back of your bike somewhere or to your own back, and lights and reflectors for low-light/night conditions.

Do it. Don't worry about fashion or cost. You will get a lot more respect on the road and be a lot more safe and you'll be less likely to live out your life as a vegetable. Although, come to think of it, maybe certain death is better.

Forget what I just said. Go for the least safety you can. Death is better than a persistent vegetative state.

Helmet Head

You wanna be visible? Ride where drivers are looking.

genec

Good call... in fact, forget coordinating colors, go for contrast if you want to be seen. Garish will call attention to yourself faster than "cool."

billh

You bicycle commute. You have already entered geek-dom. Embrace your inner geek and get that hi-vis green stuff.

That said, I do like to color coordinate. I have a black/yellow theme going and I think it looks pretty cool . . . for a complete geek! Worse yet, my bike is black so I have plastered that black reflective tape all the heck over my bike. Personally, I think it looks cool . . . for a complete and total geek!

I was hit by a jeep once while wearing my yellow jacket. She claimed the "yellow blended in with the fall foiliage". So you can never win with the color game. Hi vis yellow, green is your best bet.

billh

Yes but . . . driver inattention is rampant and taking the lane is predicated upon driver ATTENTION. So when you get hit, the first thing they say is "I never saw him/her/it". If you are wearing hidiously bright clothing, it looks a lot better on the police report than, "victim was wearing black and grey pavement colored clothing".

BikingCT

I'm with some of the others. I mean, if you want drivers to notice you because you are fashionably cool, that's one thing (though, somehow I don't think they'll see it). I purposely wear clothes that DON'T MATCH my bike, helemet, or each other. Bright orange, yellow, red. I happen to have two helmets-- one white, one black--and intentionally ride with the one that least blends with my other clothes (black helmet with light clothes, white helmet with dark clothes).

noisebeam

Red is not a hi-vis color, neither is black. The time you most need hi-vis are dusk/dawn and both of these colors at this time are terrible.

Go with white for helmet/hat.

For shirt try a hi-vis yellow (aka lime). The best cheap (~$8) source for a quality plain hi-vis shirt is alertshirt.com The ANSI lime-yellow is much more yellow than lime. The orange ANSI may be a bit more 'stylish' as orange is an 'in' color right now. But ANSI orange is not as good at dusk or grey days as yellow.

Second best to yellow for shirt is plain white. At night plain white is best (in addition, not substitute to reflective material) as it catches headlights even better than ANSI yellow.

Al

CommuterRun

+1

+1

All I can add is: White and yellow stand out well. Better if they're a solid color, rather than part of a pattern or picture. White is an excellent helmet color for visibility.

WalterMitty

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