08-02-13, 10:44 PM (This post was last modified: 08-02-13, 11:24 PM by Exupnut.)
the whole thing about hi viz was originally about city's. if u filter in a city u r MUCH more likely to hit a pedestrian/city nob/angry twat/pissed reveller/or another powered two wheeler winkin his way through the traffic all tryin to get from a2b. all possible tragedy's.they probablly account for much of the road accident death toll.and higher preiums aswell. anything that makes u more visible in a possible crash scenario situation is a plus. so iff u choose to put urself in a crash position to begin with then booshank to u my friends. out on faster roads the rules change. but the principle is the same. better visibility. if every one did just one thing their whole driving life wether they drive a car or ride a bike i think it should be....Observation.....Signal.....Manouever
observation.....look ....twist ur head...use ur mirrors....see it all...this is fun ...see what posibility u have????
Signal.......PREPARE!!! ...u know its gonna happen...quick life saver....and... bosch...
MANOUVERE!!! the best part....foccin shlapppp!!! throttle!!!!
Just flapping about on this stagnant little pond on the outer rim of the internet.....yup.... :-))
I always wear hi viz in the winter on the way to and from work. I started when I noticed that in the rain, everything turns grey in the spray and if I was having a hard time spotting the cars, they would have no chance of seeing me! Like Exupnut said, filtering like a bastard every morning through thick traffic and pedestrians can be a bit tricky and I give myself every chance to be seen.
In the summer, in bright day light, I don't think it has the same effectiveness.
(09-02-13, 10:52 AM)JZS 600 link Wrote: I always wear hi viz in the winter on the way to and from work. I started when I noticed that in the rain, everything turns grey in the spray and if I was having a hard time spotting the cars, they would have no chance of seeing me! Like Exupnut said, filtering like a bastard every morning through thick traffic and pedestrians can be a bit tricky and I give myself every chance to be seen.
In the summer, in bright day light, I don't think it has the same effectiveness.
My 2p's worth.
thats a good 2p`s worth..........i do lots of "filtering like a bastard" (lol) on the work run aswell ........dont really want the hassle of putting on another layer so fixing to my jacket and putting both on at same time would be good
i tend to wear hi viz on any motorway journeys as motorways lull drivers into dopey mode. i know, i've done it a number of times, - sitting in my big comfy repmobile, chatting on my handsfree, usually mcduff coffee in one hand, not paying attention to anything around me. i dont rep anymore thankfully!
Not a believer in Hi Viz personally; I've had muppets pull out on me even on a bloody bright yellow bike!
FFS, if they can't see that, then HV won't make an awful lot of difference IMO.
In any case, HiViz only works if they look to start with, and that isn't always guaranteed either - I had a taxi come out on me (he was only looking to his left, and I was on his right).
Not knocking those who do use it (it's a free choice after all) - just don't expect any miracles if you do, because there are a multitude of factors that come into play.
(09-02-13, 10:16 PM)AdieR link Wrote: Not a believer in Hi Viz personally; I've had muppets pull out on me even on a bloody bright yellow bike!
FFS, if they can't see that, then HV won't make an awful lot of difference IMO.
In any case, HiViz only works if they look to start with, and that isn't always guaranteed either - I had a taxi come out on me (he was only looking to his left, and I was on his right).
Not knocking those who do use it (it's a free choice after all) - just don't expect any miracles if you do, because there are a multitude of factors that come into play.
Very true, you could be riding naked but unless they look at you they'll never know!! Usually Im a high viz jacket wearer unless its hot weather then the two piece leathers come out.. I hate those flappy bib things.. Like you say, each to thier own
There's no substitute for defensive riding, bit the way I see it, we need every bit of help we can get. If you look at a biker wearing hi viz next to one wearing black, in most circumstances the hi viz wins for visibility. You can see the hi viz at a much greater distance, but its got to be clean and in good condition. I see a biker on my commute that wears a hi viz where the reflectors have worn out, and the yellow has gone, well another dull colour. Pointless!
10-02-13, 01:42 PM (This post was last modified: 10-02-13, 10:41 PM by GringoRojo.)
Slight tangent, but still pertinent...I've thought for years that bikes should be allowed to use a coloured light eg purple or yellow on the front and rear to make them stand out, especially in winter when other vehicles have their lights on too. Cycles can have flashing lights but put that on yer bike and could be disaster. Unique colours for us would work better than hi viz any day, all day.
10-02-13, 09:57 PM (This post was last modified: 10-02-13, 10:00 PM by wezdavo.)
Before i wore hi viz i had had people pull out evan after looking directly at me..
I think the main problem is that when car drivers are entering traffic they are looking for cars not bikes...
It probobaly starts in the subconscious, there in a cage for starters so they feel "safe" and when they see a bike approaching they dont see you as a "threat" and instinctively pull out not realising there mistake until its too late..
Its not often a car pulls out on a lorry its usually the other way round..
I think hi viz works as it makes you stand out and the colour is assosiated with safety and police, so i think it helps them make the right desition when they glance round..
I think the best thing is hi viz and defensive riding, and never ride in someones blindspot, but if you have to... be on the ball and get out as soon as possible...
I tell you one thing that is getting on my nerves lately..
In this damp cold weather, roundabouts obviously have to be rode slower than normal, but you still get cars traveling at regular pace because they are less affected by the conditions and the swines fly round so close, you would think they are checking your chain tension or summit...
If you dropped the bike they would just drive straight over you..
I was meaning a full sized colour headlight, not a bleedin fairylight
And principally to be seen from the front ie when approaching junctions or filtering.
(10-02-13, 01:42 PM)GringoRojo link Wrote: Slight tangent, but still pertinent...I've thought for years that bikes should be allowed to use a coloured light eg purple or yellow on the front and rear to make them stand out, especially in winter when other vehicles have their lights on too. Cycles can have flashing lights but put that on yer bike and could be disaster. Unique colours for us would work better than hi viz any day, all day.
Thoughts?
Had a bike come past me the other day with a yellow headlamp, stood out a mile away in the traffic
As for flashing lights, they'd be a disaster - very hard to judge how far away they are.
I think I am with Harry I did the same biker down course about splinter camoflage but also the point made by an- other that the cager coming from a side road wil have his lights 90degrees away from you and wouldnt light up your scotchlite anyway
There used to be a tale about eye contact with the cager until he sees you- but I guess that also works with defensive riding- you are watching him for the twitch when you know he is coming out anyway- you need second sight sometimes but sometimes you can almost smell him/her coming out and the fact that they are not switched on at all- thumb up bum and brain in neutral! :lol
11-02-13, 03:47 PM (This post was last modified: 11-02-13, 03:49 PM by DryRob.)
(10-02-13, 01:49 PM)stevierst link Wrote: For it to be effective, you'd need to be lit 360 degrees, and would need to be like a Christmas tree. But I net the buggers would see ya :lol
I wear a full size HiViz over my jacket and have Yellow lens covers on. Now my ride home i notice cars move aside as i filter through.
I wear my jacket after a friend told me about another friend who had a slow speed spill on his bike but got hit by a car because he couldn't be seen lying in the road. So now on my commute i wear it all the time, but not so much during ride outs with mates.
A very nice bike cop told me that once the traffic speed was up to 40 mph filtering was ill advised and that not to filter faster than a brisk walking pace faster than the other vehicles. Seems to work for me.
........dont really want the hassle of putting on another layer so fixing to my jacket and putting both on at same time would be good 
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