Reflective Clothing Psychology - Your Thoughts...

[glasgowcyclist]

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That diagram isn't really applicable to what a cyclist ought to wear during the hours of darkness since they'd be seen from a greater distance with proper lights (and/or reflectors) fitted. Good idea for walkers though.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

That diagram isn't really applicable to what a cyclist ought to wear during the hours of darkness since they'd be seen from a greater distance with proper lights (and/or reflectors) fitted. Good idea for walkers though.

I think l initially found it on a runners site/forum
It’s a good reminder though, concerning reflectivity

 

[matticus]

I think l initially found it on a runners site/forum
It’s a good reminder though, concerning reflectivity

But not very representative of the situation for cyclists.

 

[cougie uk]

They're good, but wear out with time. No idea how oln my marathon is(came with second hand bike) and is barely reflective.

Have you cleaned them ? Nothing should be wearing the reflective band out on the tyres ?

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Have you cleaned them ? Nothing should be wearing the reflective band out on the tyres ?

Could be a covering of brake dust from rim brakes

 

[sasquath]

Could be a covering of brake dust from rim brakes

Disc brakes, tyre sidewal flexes and reflective paint flakes/crumbles away. Especially when ridden at lower pressures. It's a nice feature of decent tyre, but rim tape will last longer.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Disc brakes, tyre sidewal flexes and reflective paint flakes/crumbles away. Especially when ridden at lower pressures. It's a nice feature of decent tyre, but rim tape will last longer.

What’s rim tape got to do with anything?

 

[sasquath]

What’s rim tape got to do with anything?

Provides same reflective area as tyre reflective band but wears slower if at all. like this one

 

[freiston]

Provides same reflective area as tyre reflective band but wears slower if at all. like this one

You got the edit in just before I hit the reply button - almost caught me out 😉
That's not what most people understand by "rim tape" - this is what I thought you meant. They really ought to come up with a different name for the reflective stuff

 

[richmace]

Most of my commute is down dedicated cycle paths, so my main objective is to be seen by other cyclists and pedestrians.

I wear a reflective yellow coat and have a reflective yellow rucksack cover.

My bike has a red flashing light at the rear, and a white flashing light (pointing slightly downwards) at the front.

I do wish pedestrians would consider lights (some do), as a pedestrian wearing dark colours is virtually invisible on an unlit cycle path.

For me, I take the attitude of being seen.

I see flashing lights much more than static ones, and I prefer to see yellow or orange reflective clothing than white. Yellow is the standard hi-vis colour that we are all accustomed to.

I don’t like extremely bright front lights (especially pointing upwards) they make visibility difficult for oncoming bikes (can cause accidents). You only need just enough light to see the way (and to be seen).

I like the ideas of reflective areas on the bike, I will implement some of those ideas as they make perfect sense.

 

[freiston]

My experience of flashing lights (especially front lights) is that as visible as they are, they "confuse" the situation, making it harder to work out what's what (for example, distance and speed). I often find the front ones uncomfortably bright and dazzling too, and hard not to get fixated on.

 

[sasquath]

You got the edit in just before I hit the reply button - almost caught me out 😉
That's not what most people understand by "rim tape" - this is what I thought you meant. They really ought to come up with a different name for the reflective stuff

agree, my bad, rim tape for motorcyclist(modern cast wheels) means only one thing

My experience of flashing lights (especially front lights) is that as visible as they are, they "confuse" the situation, making it harder to work out what's what (for example, distance and speed). I often find the front ones uncomfortably bright and dazzling too, and hard not to get fixated on.

Flashing front light is meant to differentiate dim(by comparison) bike light from the background of car headlights, on cycle paths and empty country lanes serves no purpose.

 

[kayakerles]

What are the rules/regulations on reflectors over that side of the pond?

Sorry, Classic, I don’t know but I will look into it and come back. I haven’t really used any reflectors since I was a kid. I feel much safer relying on lights, front and back. But I see there is quite a bit of support here and enthusiasm for reflectors. Something to consider.

 

[classic33]

Sorry, Classic, I don’t know but I will look into it and come back. I haven’t really used any reflectors since I was a kid. I feel much safer relying on lights, front and back. But I see there is quite a bit of support here and enthusiasm for reflectors. Something to consider.

Just wondering what the requirements were elsewhere.

I feel safer myself with lights fitted and working, as opposed to relying on reflectors/reflective materials on their own.

 

[sasquath]

Just wondering what the requirements were elsewhere.

I feel safer myself with lights fitted and working, as opposed to relying on reflectors/reflective materials on their own.

Lights can run out of juice or fail, reflector cover your ass when that happens.