Reflections on reflecting

[RWL2222]

Starting a thread here rather than drifting charliedid's Mission thread.

I see lots of cyclists--casual and serious, college students and commuters--riding in dark clothes, with no reflectors or lights. In bright daylight, with the sort of strobe effect of sunlight and shadows, or at night, I find it hard to see them. Aside from lights, the biggest opportunity I see for adding visibility is where there is motion at work--with reflector tape on the rims, and reflectors on the pedals. Next is clothing colors. Yet in the industry it seems safety doesn't sell. I recently outfitted my son's college bike with reflector tape, because I know that he and the friends who use his bike are not going to use the lights I gave him. Yet I rarely (never?) see reflector tape on bikes. Serious riders in all black--on a black bike no less--will do what they want. But if the industry marketing view is that black is what sells, it seems like there's room for innovation to have it both ways.

[d_douglas]

totally agreed. I bought a cheap commuter jacket a bit like this one and its amazing how bright it is when headlights shine on it. I never knew until I was driving and flashed lights on a fellow cyclist wearing a similar jacket - theyre amazing.

Reflective gear is smart.

[buddybikes]

Of course this goes way beyond cyclists, runners, walkers etc. Somehow make it trendy.

Personally I am in yellow (lot of time) Varia 100% time. Added daytime running headlight this time of year.

[Baron Blubba]

I understand black shorts. I don't understand black anything else.
Especially black jackets and other cold weather gear, which is so much more likely to be used in the dark. My black wind jacket has a bright orange zipper and minor reflectivity elsewhere, but I wish it was a different color, and will soon be purchasing one that is.

Isn't it funny how some will insist on dressing in dark colors because dark = pro, when in fact I can't remember the last time I saw a black or dark World Tour team kit. If they exist, they are few and far between.

[bigbill]

I'll wear dark on the MTB, but I prefer retina-searing for the road. I have half a drawer full of bright orange and yellow tall socks, a dayglow orange road helmet, and even my MTB helmet is a POC with orange panels. I also have rechargeable lights that I run in the daytime and a powerful headlight for the night.

[Derosid]

I agree, at night and in the rain dark-clothed runners and cyclists are very hard to see. I have yellow wind and rain jackets, and my Ortlieb pannier bag is bright yellow. On my commuter bike I also have Pirelli Cinturato Velo Road tires, and these are available with a reflective sidewall that is quite visible at night from the side.

[AngryScientist]

There is a reason why road construction crews; warehouse workers, etc wear hi-viz reflective gear. They are remarkably more noticeable than dull non-reflective gear.

[unterhausen]

I was supporting a brevet and I caught up to a rider on a dark rural road. I saw their reflective gear before I saw their lights. One thing to keep in mind is that most reflective gear wears out over repeated washing. So the message is, get used to the stink

[Spaghetti Legs]

I have a randonneur friend who wears a reflective sash when he rides. I think that’s a great idea.

I will take this opportunity to rant. Raise your hand if you’ve been completely blinded (riding or driving) by police or other emergency strobe lights on the side of the road. They really need to dial those things back. Very dangerous.

[Peter P.]

I understand the desire to keep a bike looking "pro" by going without reflective tape, but if you're going to ride at night then consider again, or if you're fortunate enough then get a second bike that doesn't need to look pro and adorn it. Equipping the bike makes sense; then you're less concerned about what you're wearing.

As for clothing well, dedicated reflective clothing may be limited in use. That's where ankle bands and reflective vests come in handy as they can easily be removed. But there's that vanity issue...

Another bonus with reflective gear; you never have to worry about a dead battery.

[AJosiahK]

I am into the black look but always spash with color, at least bike and clothing aesthetically. All of course I always have bright lights flashing or strobe, reflective stuff on kit or bike too. If its a bike I commute on, more reflective strips in key spots.

its true though, as it cools off up here the cooler weather gear comes out and the kit I end up wearing is certanly darker VS summer kits. Aside from my W.A. skin tone.

[Fat Cat]

Black is "pro" ? ? Really ? In what alternate universe is that ? Probably the one where helmets are illegal.


The peloton in this one is anything but. Or do I just have an incredibly colored imagination ?

I like to wear colors that the defense attorney will cringe to see submitted as evidence.

[fiamme red]

When commuting at night, I wear a safety vest from this company: https://www.dontgethit.com/reflectivegear.html. I ought to wear ankle bands too.

[Peter P.]

Originally Posted by Fat Cat

Black is "pro" ? ? Really ? In what alternate universe is that ? ...

In the Rapha universe.

[dustyrider]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

There is a reason why road construction crews; warehouse workers, etc wear hi-viz reflective gear. They are remarkably more noticeable than dull non-reflective gear.

Here in Colorado road construction crew deaths increased by something like 60% last year. I wear hi-viz clothes for working around traffic and try to wear bright colors when riding but it sure doesn’t feel like hi-viz clothes even matters in the face of such entitlement.