The flag helps in heavy, traffic I've found. With it, drivers actually gave me one full lane when they passed. I need to get another one.

Two other commercial products: Flash Flag and The Whizzzz Windmill Bicycle Reflector
 

There are two other commercially available products in North America, the Flash Flag and The Whizzzz Windmill Bicycle Reflector. Both can be folded flat against the bike when you do not want them extended.

I've used the Flash Flag and although the vendor unfortunately has medical problems at present, he is continuing to sell the Flash Flag:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=253536
The flag is also reflective for night riding and wraps around the flagpole, permitting it to spin 360 degrees, completely around the flagpole. The compression spring connection at the base results in the entire flagpole oscillating about while you bike, perhaps attracting attention The spring also allows you to use the hook on the flagpole to clip it out of the way when you do not want to use it. One time the oscillations resulted in my flagpole working itself off the spring, so I'd check the connection or add some tape or a screw to secure the flagpole to the spring.

The Whizzzz Windmill Bicycle Reflector is available through Amazon and maybe elsewhere. I have not used it, but the spinning reflector might be conspicuous at night:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=253540 And if one isn't enough, mount three of them^. http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=253541

These type of flags are termed lateral or horizontal flags or spacer bars in the bicycling literature. In Swedish, varselpinne or stingpinne LINK (http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varselpinne).

Not for me thanks

I've been using these for 20 years, bought mine in Europe. "Abstandshalter" auf deutsch. Good to know they're available in the U.S. now.

I use bottle rockets and water wings!

I like to try to crush the stereotype that cyclists are a bunch of liberal, fruity hippies.

So I use this flag on my commute bike:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=253729

Not to keep spewing the negative stuff here, but drivers already swerve WAY too far to the left when passing me on the road. It's almost comical and definitely dangerous. It seems to me these flags might impede their judgment even more.

You can make bat wings that go from under your arms to your shirt cufs like that guy from kiss!

Yesterday I saw someone using a side projecting flag -- safety orange and I assume attached to extend to the left from the rear rack or panniers. He was climbing a slope into the sun, on a good shoulder but not a bike path. And the flag was all I saw! The bike and rider were washed out in the light but the backlighted flag was amazingly bright. Very effective there.


I know you wouldn't want to use one everywhere or all the time, but in that circumstance I don't think anything else would have made that bike visible.

You're lucky, Tom. One section of my 23-mile loop is a climb with two lanes in each direction... but there is no shoulder or sidewalk and the paved road is barely 2 lanes wide (in each direction). I've tried hugging the curb but then, of course, people speed past using both lanes, with the car in the right lane about a foot from my handlebar. Today (a sunny Saturday morning; I should have anticipated a lot of traffic) I decided that was more dangerous than asserting my right to the lane, and rode a few feet out from the curb, enough so right-lane cars couldn't pass. It wasn't pleasant (and I don't mean the honks and yells) but the road was steep enough that I couldn't go very fast. Sure was glad to crest that hill and enjoy a wider road. Anyway, to stick to this topic --- I'm definitely considering a flag that projects a couple of feet out to the left.

I have a CatEye Rapid 5 on the Leader. Everyone except motorcycles seem to give me a full lane change. Go figure.

On the 1X8, I have a rear rack. I got a "floatie noodle" in safety green from Wally World and cut it to just a bit over the handle bar width.

Then I zip tied it to the front of the rack, crossways. No good.

I got a rack mount for the Rapid 5. Instant response..............I was passed with a full lane clearance.

Bottom line that I can tell...............bright stuff doesn't work near as good as high quality flashing lights.

YMMV

wear this in the winter http://www.carhartt.com/webapp/wcs/s...uickView=false

and this when it's cool but not raining much http://www.carhartt.com/webapp/wcs/s...uickView=false

Um, just get a super bright LED light instead and a clip on for your backpack or messenger or bag or helmet or etc.

I have a standard reflective vest like road-workers wear. On my recumbent, I drape it on the back of the seat and let it flutter in the wind. Plenty of motion.

Greg, what's "the Leader"?

so, in other words... rather than pull of and let built up traffic pass, you decided to be an ambassador for the sport and create a long line of people who will appreciate and show respect to the next rider they come upon? Great!!!

There is winning the battle and winning the war. In all my years of riding I have found that being well lit, riding as FRAP, and being predictable has never let me down...

Just a thought, but has anyone seen (or made) a strobe mounted where a flag would be?