Home made for the commutes - Be seen not hurt.

[BentMikey]

When you have good lights, reflectives aren't going to be helping your safety any. I'm not keen on this reliance on reflectives for a number of reasons.

 

[Keenbfb]

For lights give this seller a try..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1000-Lm-C...rnsTorches&hash=item46079e9cc8#ht_4117wt_1139

 

[Psyclist]

Thanks again. I'll hopefully be able to buy the ebay light very soon.

 

[jonny jeez]

One thing I notice when driving my car, is that the bottom bits of a bike show up first as you're approaching from behind. Normally mudguard reflector and pedals going up and down are the first to be picked up on a badly-lit ninja. This is especially apparent when climbing hills.

+1 on this.

also a lot of hi vis that is mounted on the "rear" of packs and jackets, goes unnoticed on some riders as their backs are often pointing "up" more than "Back". I see a lot of riders with lights mounted on their backpacks that are pointing to the sky and the only thing that lights them up is the reflectors on their shoes or pedals.

Every winter I return to the idea of inventing an illuminated jacket, something that literally glows like the ready break adverts

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

+ I see a lot of riders with lights mounted on their backpacks that are pointing to the sky and the only thing that lights them up is the reflectors on their shoes or pedals.

Yeah,I always wonder about my lights although I have more than one.

 

[Psyclist]

I can't vouch much from a drivers p.o.v (I don't drive) but when I have been a passenger, I've noticed the high viz jacket reflectors have reflected within a couple of hundred yards on cyclists wearing them. Definitely worth putting reflective strips wherever you can make them visible as it adds security and the chances of being more visible are much higher.

Also, Knog Frog Lights are useful. My mate has some on his front and rear wheels (on the spokes) so he can be seen from the side when pulling out of junctions.

 

[gaz]

I can't vouch much from a drivers p.o.v (I don't drive) but when I have been a passenger, I've noticed the high viz jacket reflectors have reflected within a couple of hundred yards on cyclists wearing them. Definitely worth putting reflective strips wherever you can make them visible as it adds security and the chances of being more visible are much higher.

Also, Knog Frog Lights are useful. My mate has some on his front and rear wheels (on the spokes) so he can be seen from the side when pulling out of junctions.

Couple of hundred yards? Pah, you can see my lights from a good half mile away.

If you want side visibility, go for fibre flares, Knog lights are truly crap.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

What about magicshine rear?

My front cree's seem to be ok I have no problems on junctions during the night.(touch wood)

My visibility seems ok from all angles and the bike wheels and frame has reflectives but that doesn't stop the occasional close pass.

 

[Gez73]

I find a well placed helmet light works a treat for Roundabouts, even if your lights have some sort of side-on visibility. I've never assumed a close pass occurred because someone didn't see me when riding at night any more than during the day. You can only make yourself as visible as you can and there will still be close passes because some drivers pass too close anyway.

 

[SportMonkey]

Every winter I return to the idea of inventing an illuminated jacket, something that literally glows like the ready break adverts

I'm not sure this is that hard, even if expensive. You just need a diffusive material some narrow angle LEDs. I wonder if you could build it quickly with a solution in clear tubes, with LEDs to fit the ends and sew the tubing on to a jacket.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

I find a well placed helmet light works a treat for Roundabouts, even if your lights have some sort of side-on visibility. I've never assumed a close pass occurred because someone didn't see me when riding at night any more than during the day. You can only make yourself as visible as you can and there will still be close passes because some drivers pass too close anyway.

I don't believe last nights close pass was that,probably wrong circumstances and my positioning was shyte but even primary doesn't solve all the problems.

The taxi one was strange,not sure whether that was a pay me back,not quite sure why though or just generally that taxi driver drives like an ar53.

 

[gaz]

What about magicshine rear?

My front cree's seem to be ok I have no problems on junctions during the night.(touch wood)

My visibility seems ok from all angles and the bike wheels and frame has reflectives but that doesn't stop the occasional close pass.

The maigcshine rear light is good, i think it's only downside is its narrow beam.

 

[jonny jeez]

I'm not sure this is that hard, even if expensive. You just need a diffusive material some narrow angle LEDs. I wonder if you could build it quickly with a solution in clear tubes, with LEDs to fit the ends and sew the tubing on to a jacket.

I'll have to get around to building a prototype.

 

[gaz]

I'll have to get around to building a prototype.

Someone beat you to it.

Proviz

 

[jonny jeez]

Someone beat you to it.

Proviz

, Nope they are illuminated strips. I'm seeing an illuminated JAcket. Perhaps the ready break thing threw you. Think more of ET and imagine a diffused glowing yellow jacket with sleeves, front and back panels all glowing with that same level of brightness