Red flag to a bull, high viz to motorists

[RedBike]

I commuted to work by bike for the first time in a while today. I couldn't find a gillet and it was too warm for a jacket so I decided to make do with a Hi-viz bib.

I got cut up a treat on a roundabout by someone taking the first exit off while I actually wanted to continue straight on.
Someone else passed so close they clipped my pannier bag.
and another motorist sat with their hand on horn and kept flashing their lights because they couldn't get passed along a singletrack road.

I never normally have this trouble. I can only but assume it's some sort of reaction towards the hi-viz vest. I'm certainly not wearing it on the way home. It's too dangerous!

 

[shimano]

hmmm, in the last few weeks I've been impressed how much lee-way I've been given by motorists. I've got a longish run tomorrow and will wear my hi-viz vest for the first time and see if I get a similar reaction. It'll go in the nearest bin if the same as above happens to me.

 

[gbb]

Your conclusions too simplistic RedBike
We're all looking for reasons for incidents, the simple fact is the myriad of circumstances beyond our control make a concrete conclusion impossible.

I've commuted for years (albeit short distance), some of it city riding, some urban, some cyclepath. Ive worn hi-viz in the winter...and in the summer, sometimes cycle in a black jumper, occasionally in a parka in the winter....all sorts of clothing, all sorts of colours. Sometimes i get cut up in a hi-viz, sometimes its just an ordinary jacket.

In the end...you realise you have bad weeks and good weeks, it doesnt matter what you're wearing. If some fcukwit cuts you up...it's cos they're a fcukwit....not because of the clothing you're wearing. But from a pure 'being seen by all' point of view..i'd wear a hi-viz or yellow jacket every time. Its not a cure all, but it increases your chances of being seen.

I've noticed something over the years....you can go for weeks, even months (i'm in this phase right now), where commuting is an absolute pleasure. Very few incidents, drivers all seem to respect your space etc etc.
Then all of a sudden...all hell lets loose Thats blown it for me then

 

[Sapper]

when I first started to cycle regualraly 7-8 years ago, the first few days, i would complain of a 'near miss'.

Then one day, after about a month, a had a real 'near miss'. The sort that gets the adrenalin going together with the anger (I think that was the first time a wing mirror belted my funny bone as the car over took!)

I then realised that was a near miss, and all the other incidents were part of the norm.

As another poster said, those happen if im in a hi viz jacket or not. Oh and my ruck sack always has a hi vis cover/vest on, it improves the water proofing as well as my vissibility

Adrian

 

[Tynan]

pannier on the right has improved things for me, don;t wear hi viz in daylight anymore, can't say I notice much difference, so many factors in play, I think road position, speed and riding style are the main things

 

[joebe]

High Viz is so yesterday and far to common. I think you need something else to get noticed now.

I tend to get noticed alot when I'm in my matching Giro Pink top and shorts.

Any other suggestions below, with a virtual round of applause going to the best one.

 

[Arch]

A garden rake carried crossways across the rack works well.

Or riding a recumbent.

 

[marinyork]

My main concern about high viz thesedays is if you wear it around some estates you're drawing attention to yourself and much more likely to get attacked for being a cyclist rather than them seeing you as a pob - whether it be cars, happy slapping or whatever.

 

[PBancroft]

I don't wear hi-viz as such, except when it's raining. I do wear primary colours, and that seems to work well.

I must admit, if I had a motorist sat with their hand on horn and kept flashing their lights because I was "in their way" I would be tempted to put my bike down in the road, take a picture of their number plate, then knock on their window and ask them what the big idea was.

That said, when on a single track road I tend to move over into passing places and let cars behind me pass by, even if it means losing my momentum. It's all a bit of give and take.

 

[Maz]

As I have stretches of 70 dual-carriageway to contend with, I'm always in hi-viz for my commute . Normally wear a hi-viz footie shirt, either Sheff Utd or Barcelona away. And my POLITE vest sometimes. Hi-viz cycling specific short-sleeve jerseys seem so difficult to come by. Don't know why...

 

[hackbike 6]

Havent had a SMIDSY for years of which i dont understand as my hi viz isnt the best or cleanest in the world but long may it continue.(touchwood)

 

[ufkacbln]

Lets face it - if yellow worked as a colour we wouldn;t hve anyone parking illegally or being caught for speeding!


Its down to observation - the drivers who simply don't look won't see Hi-Viz!

 

[tdr1nka]

The only time I find hi-viz has any real effect is at dusk. I wear hiviz yellow reflective strips around my ankles and my vest is also covered with 3M Scotchlite strips.
But like wearing a helmet I only tend to wear this stuff in order to show some concession to wanting to be seen in the event of an accident.

In my experience, it's simply being on a bike that is the red flag not the hi-vi.

 

[fossyant]

No hi-viz for me, just either bright blue or bright red cycling tops - makes you look serious - never had an issue !

 

[hackbike 6]

Same strip every day?
I remember in gran canaria i had no hi-viz and had a close one on a rounderbout but it was dusk.got no issue if u dont want to wear hi-viz.wouldnt be any good as bm says if everyone was wearing it.