Moving flashing lights and reflective clothing

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cyberknight

As long as I breathe, I attack.
We can do as much as we can to be visible, but if a driver doesn't look, then you are getting run over. I've had two major accidents where a driver didn't even look, just drove through me. At least with a row of lights and bright visible clothing, you can say 'go to spec savers'.

indeed , i was knocked off on a bright day whilst on a white bike dressed in bright colours
 

Fastpedaller

Über Member
Location
Norfolk
indeed , i was knocked off on a bright day whilst on a white bike dressed in bright colours

Took much glare with that lot?
 

simongt

Guru
Location
Norwich
indeed , i was knocked off on a bright day whilst on a white bike dressed in bright colours
Similar here when I was knocked off a few years back. It was broad daylight, I was wearing a bright yellow long sleeve top & bash hat and the driver didn't see me because his attention was focused elsewhere. :wacko:
 
Those little clip on spoke reflectors do the same job but are more effective from 90 degrees approach angle. Bear in mind that, for the most part, headlights and drivers perception is targeted at the road a short distance in front of their vehicle. Additionally, in a driver's mind something low down in their field of vision/perception registers as *close to* - whilst objects higher up in their field of vision register as *further away*. They're more likely to react to something perceived as closer to them. Pedal reflectors, reflective tape on the front and rear surfaces of cranks, ankle bands - all of these things add to the moving picture.

I use at least two lights both front and rear - as a failsafe. Flash attracts attention, steady makes it easier for an approaching driver to judge your position and speed. Dynamo (hub) lights are set up to run constantly so you can really count on them to be there if/when your battery equipped lights run low.
Hence my reflective mudflaps. & a red reflector on the rear 'flap

5 rear lights, as a 'fail-safe', but.......... despite the 3 rechargeables being charged on different days, 2 'lost light' on the same ride home
 
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OP
OP
E
Location
Widnes
I would get some ankle straps and some spoke reflector or something
but I better wait until after Christmas so I have something easy for someone to get me if they ask!
 
OP
OP
E
Location
Widnes
Just thought - which is a change for me

I have reflectors on my wheels!!!

I forgot I had them - they just came with the bike

but do remember the front one coming off at one point and me putting it back on

I presume they are still there!
I will have to check


as with a lot of other things - they might have saved me loads of time
as may the hi-vis jacket and vest


but you never know about the things where someone saw you
you only remember the ones where they didn;t
 

blackrat

Senior Member
Hi all
I was reading this
https://www.bikeradar.com/features/tech/hi-vis-is-not-silver-bullet-for-cycling-safety

And I was thinking that maybe a snap on or velcro ankle strap - bit like cycle clips - would be a good idea

Any opinions

or idea of things that work well

seems like something useful at this time of year?

Randonneuring (Audax) requires the ankle straps. In fact, they demand just about everything imaginable that will make the rider visible.
 

Ming the Merciless

There is no mercy
Location
Inside my skull
Im still i big fan of the sequined ball gown to make myself visible.

g-bicycle-isolated-blue-color-background-348036725.jpg
 

PaulSB

Squire
On Mondays I have to join the commuter traffic to Manchester as I go to collect my granddaughter.

Problems on the M61 today meant I chose to use an urban route via A and B roads. On a dark, drizzly morning I saw three riders with lights, each dressed head to toe in black. Every other rider had inadequate lights, if any, probably half had dirty hi-viz. None of the riders were truly visible.

Is it any wonder?
 
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Gwylan

Guru
Location
All at sea⛵
Hi all
I was reading this
https://www.bikeradar.com/features/tech/hi-vis-is-not-silver-bullet-for-cycling-safety

And I was thinking that maybe a snap on or velcro ankle strap - bit like cycle clips - would be a good idea

Any opinions

or idea of things that work well

seems like something useful at this time of year?

Interesting. Makes sense that the movement is what's detected most easily.

I have a couple of wrist or leg bands with green led lamps.
These were a gift at a show or something. Also they've sat at the bottom of the odds and sods bike box.
Going to get them out and use them on my twilight ramblings around the countryside.
Hopefully there will not be too much evidence to suggest whether they work or not.
 
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