I definitely think there is a useful part to play for reflectors. They can be a good aid if positioned correctly and can't stop working unexpectedly. The pedal reflectors are most useful (or shoes with reflectives/reflective trouser clips) as they are in motion and shout bicycle. The red rear reflector is tricky on any bike without a mudguard imo as if it's mounted on a mudguard, like on an old Raleigh roadster, it is at about the correct height to reflect the dipped headlights of a car. Speaking as a driver, builders vests are very good at defining the object somewhere up the road as a person, whereas just lights on their own just say there is something there but could be any number of things.
The front reflector is a bit pointless in most situations as it will only work properly if you are riding against the flow of traffic on the wrong side of the road (and you really shouldn't for obvious reasons).
The clip on reflectors on the spokes that come on new bikes are a waste of space and may even damage your wheel. There again, I had countless Kellogg's cornflake rooster shaped reflectors on my bike as a nipper and nobody ever drove into the side of me....
The front reflector is a bit pointless in most situations as it will only work properly if you are riding against the flow of traffic on the wrong side of the road (and you really shouldn't for obvious reasons).
The clip on reflectors on the spokes that come on new bikes are a waste of space and may even damage your wheel. There again, I had countless Kellogg's cornflake rooster shaped reflectors on my bike as a nipper and nobody ever drove into the side of me....
