dark cycle kit!!

[mickle]

Seriously for a second - black clothing on its own is probably the best thing to wear during the day if you want to be seen. At night, in rural areas and small towns where other reflective materials are not widespread, reflective additions are the best way to be seen - although you still need lights to see where you're going and to see pedestrians etc. In big cities, where there are lots of reflective materials, the advantages of wearing reflective material for being seen are likely to be significantly diminished. And you probably don't need lights to see by either, although of course it is against the law not to have them. It's a bit silly to argue against reflective materials in every situation, but it's also a bit silly to pretend they offer so much of an advantage in urban cycling. As with most arguments of this nature, entrenched positions mean that the extremists on either side just pay no attention to anything that should probably cause them to modify their position.

That's it really. But please carry on...

No one is arguing against reflective material - the issue is with flourescents.

 

[screenman]

mattobrien

Are you prepared to trust that everyone has looked as hard as you did? I am not.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

The 'thinking distance' starts from when 'you' are seen? therefore the earlier you are 'seen' the earlier the stopping distance? As you state you have had 3 instances this year where motorists havent seen you, (and i have had none, but i do wear high viz) maybe for your safety you should put aside your colour prejudices (purple is for girls) and go visible next time you choose your kit.

Tosh. Do read the thread. You've not put forward a shred of evidence that I'd be safer wearing 'visible' kit, whatever that is.

 

[Archie_tect]

Bianchi1, i agree with you, it makes sense to wear reflective material when other vehicles have their lights on, and, during daylight hours when lights make no difference, hi-viz materials mixed with contrasts help to make a cyclist more noticeable. If others choose not to then that is their perogative... but arguing against your commonsense approach is just being obtuse and frankly a bt childish. But hey, that's how people have managed to get up to 400 posts.... they like arguing! Happy Christmas one and all!

 

[mattobrien]

I am starting to wonder if this ought to be in the helmets and headphone forum, obviously renamed to helmets, headphone and hi viz.

Everyone's views seem to be as entrenched as it is over there and everyone seems to be set to transmit rather than receive...

 

[vernon]

mattobrien

Are you prepared to trust that everyone has looked as hard as you did? I am not.

It doesn't matter what you are wearing if people are not looking.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I am starting to wonder if this ought to be in the helmets and headphone forum, obviously renamed to helmets, headphone and hi viz.

Everyone's views seem to be as entrenched as it is over there and everyone seems to be set to transmit rather than receive...

happy to receive...






...any evidence in the form of peer reviewed data you care to present that shows safety is diminished by the choice of wearing dark cycling clothes with reflectives.

appeals to so-called "common sense", which is neither sense nor common, just don't cut it.

 

[DiddlyDodds]

Yesterday at around 4pm i nearly rear ended a cyclists on Wildhouse Lane . 50mph unlit road and he had no lights on, was dressed all in black on a black bike , perhaps when hes in a ditch badly injured he can "get over it"
Dont worry though , I was quite safe sat listening to Wizard on the radio with the heater on full, whilst coming back from picking the daughters new bike up ready for Tuesday, and yes its bright purple whith white wheels and a Toot Toot horn ,, well she is only 3 after all .

 

[Moon bunny]

happy to receive...






...any evidence in the form of peer reviewed data you care to present that shows safety is diminished by the choice of wearing dark cycling clothes with reflectives.

appeals to so-called "common sense", which is neither sense nor common, just don't cut it.

Do you have any "peer reviewed data" you care to present that shows dryness is diminished by going out in the rain?

While I am waiting I will continue to use the common sense life's experiences have given me and wear waterproof, light-coloured clothes when I go out on wet, dark days or nights.

 

[mattobrien]

happy to receive...






...any evidence in the form of peer reviewed data you care to present that shows safety is diminished by the choice of wearing dark cycling clothes with reflectives.

appeals to so-called "common sense", which is neither sense nor common, just don't cut it.

I'm with you on this one. After dark it is reflective that matters rather than hi viz.

Interestingly while out riding today I saw a rider from c. 300 meters, all dressed in black and his shape as a person was perfectly shown by his black attire.

 

[mattobrien]

I also saw a rider today who was wearing black team kit. I can imagine that a few poster on CC would have burst a blood vessel or two had they had spotted him. I found that a cheery wave worked fine.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Do you have any "peer reviewed data" you care to present that shows dryness is diminished by going out in the rain?

Am I trying to persuade you, or anyone, of that thesis? No. But thanks for rocking up with a strawman anyway.

If someone wishes to assert that a thing is true it is down to them to present evidence to back up their claim. I'm all ears.... The burden of proof in this debate about dark clothes reducing a rider's safety lies with those claiming that is the case.

While I am waiting I will continue to use the common sense life's experiences have given me and wear waterproof, light-coloured clothes when I go out on wet, dark days or nights.

Great. No one is trying to persuade you to do otherwise.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I'm with you on this one. After dark it is reflective that matters rather than hi viz.

Interestingly while out riding today I saw a rider from c. 300 meters, all dressed in black and his shape as a person was perfectly shown by his black attire.

yeahbut...


... you were doing that pesky looking thing again weren't you? It's cheating.

 

[DiddlyDodds]

Once again, we are discussing Hi-Viz here not lights.

Light the touch paper and see people fizzzzzzzz,,, when can we talk lights .. hi viz is now boring .

Pass the mince pies

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Yesterday at around 4pm i nearly rear ended a cyclists on Wildhouse Lane . 50mph unlit road and he had no lights on, was dressed all in black on a black bike , perhaps when hes in a ditch badly injured he can "get over it"
Dont worry though , I was quite safe sat listening to Wizard on the radio with the heater on full, whilst coming back from picking the daughters new bike up ready for Tuesday, and yes its bright purple whith white wheels and a Toot Toot horn ,, well she is only 3 after all .

It's a speed limit, not a target. It isn't safe in all conditions. Just cos you can leagally drive at 50mph doesn't mean it is wise to do so. See post #389 for a few pointers on behaviours you might consider.....

Put that side though, and bear with, I'm going to go right out on a limb here...

mr black on his black bike... you saw him... you didn't kill or injure him... go on admit it... you are among friends... we will understand if you say you were...










.....looking!