Interesting stuff from: P, Kendrick, D, Coupland, C, & Coffey, (2010) The use of conspicuity aids by cyclists and risk of crashes involving other road users: a protocol for a population based case-control study', BMC Public Health, 10, pp. 39-44
"Drivers have difficulty detecting ‘small’ objects such as cyclists and pedestrians, especially at lower light levels or in darkness Richter et al found 17.5% of cycling crashes
occurred during dawn, dusk or at night. Despite the relatively small proportion of cycling crashes occurring at times of low visibility and bicycle use being lower at these times, a higher proportion of these incidents result in severe or fatal injury"
"A study in Victoria (Australia) found 90% of cyclist fatalities involved a rear impact suggesting that many drivers are unaware of the presence of a cyclist prior to a collision"
"Early experimental work demonstrated that simple conspicuity enhancing devices increase the distance over which drivers can detect and recognise cyclists and pedestrians"
"Low-cost conspicuity aids suitable for the needs of non-competitive cyclists are readily available. Reflective or fluorescent materials can be worn as garments, on a
helmet or attached to the bicycle, rider or luggage. Combinations of fluorescent and reflective materials also enhance conspicuity regardless of changes in visibility
conditions occurring during a journey e.g. during dawn" or dusk or on longer journeys where weather conditions may change.
"An observational study of conspicuity aid use by cyclists and pedestrians in Edmonton (Alberta, Canada) found fewer than one third wearing outer clothing rated as ‘medium’ or ‘high’ visibility [31] and similarly low rates of conspicuity aid and light use were found in fatal cycling collisions in Australia . An observational study in Oxford (UK) found 10% of cyclists used high-visibility clothing and less than half used lights at dusk and after dark"
"Cyclists’ attitudes towards the use of conspicuity aids, in particular their beliefs as to what ‘works’ and under what conditions, could be a significant factor in understanding low adoption rates. Recent research by Wood and Lacherez suggests that some cyclists overestimate the distance at which they would be noticed by drivers at night whilst underestimating the conspicuity enhancement offered by fluorescent or retro-reflective vests in darkness or daylight. These findings suggest that evidence of the effectiveness of conspicuity aids in reducing collision risk may help encourage greater use of conspicuity aids"
