From Sandyford to City center

AstraMonti

In the way to work i counted 17 cyclists.

13 of them didn't have any reflective gear.
8 of the 13 didn't have lights either.

2 were wearing an awfull vest that was hidden behind a huge backpack.

The other 2 were ok.

Maybe thats one of the reasons people keep complaining about cyclists?

Hungrycol

Interesting little survey. This morning I encoundered one dressed all in black, no lights and wearing a reflective bib unfastened at the front so it flapped behind him and didnt show the reflective stripes.

I agree, no wonder motorists have a distain for ninja cyclists.

Chips Lovell

Was it dark?

Hungrycol

el tonto wrote: »

Was it dark?

For me at 7.20, yes. Cant speak for AstraMonti.

AstraMonti

el tonto wrote: »

Was it dark?

It was around 8, it wasnt dark, just.. darky

Stark

I think a bit more education is what's needed. To be honest, I've been guilty of that backpack over the reflective stripe thing myself. Perhaps drop a suggestion to DCC to hand out backpacker covers/stripes when handing out hi-viz vests?

irishmotorist

AstraMonti wrote: »

2 were wearing an awfull vest that was hidden behind a huge backpack.

That's one thing that I notice myself a lot too. Often you'll notice a fine reflective vest with a black bag over it. Personally, I'll always wrap a builders vest around the bag with the velcro/zip portion facing backwards. It takes a second extra to do, but gives you full visibility from behind.

liamo

irishmotorist wrote: »

Often you'll notice a fine reflective vest with a black bag over it.

My favourite is the bright flashing rear light fastened to the seat post and then carefully hidden behind stuff strapped onto the back carrier. Gotta love the thought that went into that.

irishmotorist

I think that perhaps part of the problem is that when you're walking in a built up area, your fine to wear dark clothes because you're on a path.
When you're driving, all of the lights are there, included and that's it.
However, when you're on the bike you're on the road and sharing the same space as cars. You need to make a deliberate effort to have lights with working batteries, dress reflectively etc, because they're not built into the vehicle. Cycling is accessible and convenient, so lots of people just don't bother making the effort - probably because they think they're just going along with traffic, in the same direction and of course they're visible - there are street lights, aren't there?

daymobrew

Stark wrote: »

Perhaps drop a suggestion to DCC to hand out backpacker covers/stripes when handing out hi-viz vests?

I love my Respro BackPack cover. Obnoxiously bright.
The vertical stripes are reflective.

liamo wrote: »

My favourite is the bright flashing rear light fastened to the seat post and then carefully hidden behind stuff strapped onto the back carrier. Gotta love the thought that went into that.

It's like cars with one rear light - the driver/cyclist never knows how they look from behind.

Crippens

A Hi-Vis jacket 1 or 2 sizes too big will cover a rucksack and keep it clean and dry.

ba

i dont think high-vis vests count for much tbh. have had many a high-vis nearly crash head first into me along the cycle path to howth purely because the oncomer wasn't paying attention, didnt see my pair of lights, and i didnt see them because high-vis are rubbish when light doesn't shine directly onto its surface.

flashing LEDS should be the prerequisite, above helmets and highvis (at night time)

in responce to the OP, doesnt mater how many highvis you did or didnt see on your commute when they obviously dont work. i will add that highvis seem pretty decent in sunlight, i guess thats why they made the transfer from building site to road so easily.

i prefer not to wear reflective stuff or highvis, cos they look stupid. they might save my life but i doubt their merit as visibility markers compares
to flashing LEDs. no problem paying extra bucks + loading my seatpost and seatstays with lights just have a problem with naff ankle straps etc. i'm not alone with this
and i will put my hand up a represent the fashion conscious euro cyclist/commuter.

DirkVoodoo

I have noticed in areas where they have that kind of orange/gold street lighting the high viz is less effective. Not so bad if you are a car but it does make cyclists thinking they can get by on high-viz less visible to pedestrians and other cyclists.

My altura night vision is pretty handy, lots of reflective strips, but I mainly wear it for warmth and would never risk going out without lights.

Agree with ba, flashing (lights) all the way!

crown of storms

i don't think there's any problem with people not wearing hi-vis when it isn't dark- when it's dark i use lights. the emphasis on hi-vis is ridiculous as it is lights which matter.

kenmc

liamo wrote: »

My favourite is the bright flashing rear light fastened to the seat post and then carefully hidden behind stuff strapped onto the back carrier. Gotta love the thought that went into that.

Whereas my favourite is the dimly flashing red rear light on the handlebars! as the only light on the whole bike. Now what the hell is that about?

niceonetom

daymobrew wrote: »

I love my Respro BackPack cover. Obnoxiously bright.

there are (i'm sure) problems in life that cannot be solved with judicious use of scissors, tape, glue and free reflective material - but for those that can be:





oh, and lights FTW obviously.