Am I visible enough on a Kettwiesel?
 

Hello,

I am considering buying a new bike,first considered a 'cruiser', but as I have trouble with balance on a "normal bike" I am now leaning towards a trike. Testrode the HP Scorpion and loved it.
I also like the HASE KETTWIESEL, but my main concern is : will I be visible enough on a recumbent (trike) in general?
I mean : I can add a flag, wear bright yellow clothing and/or a colourful helmet, but will car-drivers notice me?
I've always been very careful in traffic when cycling, but still....not sure what to think/do.

Can You guys convince me on this one? Or are bents just unsafe on our busy roads?
Thanks!

the bike is higher then normal trikes. so with a little effort it should be fine.

I'm told that the oddity factor makes recumbents and trikes in particular even more visible than DF bikes, but I can't speak from experience.

What kind of traffic conditions are there where you ride?

When I ride my tadpole I find drivers give me much more space than when I am on my DF. When I am on my Corsa (SWB bent) I get a bit more space than my DF but less than the trike.

A Kett is pretty high up, add in some normal bike lights and bright colors and you will be fine. In fact I think you will be better off than a DF because of the easy start/stop, the stability and the straight line tracking of a trike, especially when it is wet, icey, on gravel, etc. Conditions that make a 2 wheel less stable and therefor less predictable for drivers.

I have to go with the others on the 'What is THAT??' factor with a trike tends to catch attention more than the every day DF bike. Most drivers tend to give me as much space as they would a car.

One of the worst problems I've had is someone staring at me slack jawed and the car heads straight toward what their looking at... me.:eek:

Go with the lights, color, and flags if the machine has no fairing. The big fully faired trike I used to ride would bring all car traffic to a halt just so they could watch me go by.

You will be OK.Drivers stop sometimes just to figure out what they are looking at.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...heels/Non6.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...heels/lane.jpg

Both busy roads & calmer bike paths. But I will use it mainly as a recreational bike, so I can go for the best paths & roads.

Thank you all for the input !

Based on my experience, any road safe enough for a DF is also safe enough for a bent. Like others, based on driver responses, it seems a trike may be a bit safer than anything on two wheels.

In daylight, for most drivers, most of the time, a squirrel is plenty visible. In that same daylight, for some drivers, some of the time, a huge emergency vehicle with blindingly bright lights and loud siren is quite invisible.

On my low tadpole, the main issue is my height limited sight lines. I simply assume that what I cannot see might hurt me and use appropriate caution.

I am certainly a safer rider on a trike than on a DF or two-wheeled bent because I am more willing to greatly reduce speed as may be appropriate.