High visibility quest

[jillm]

This is my situation. Last Friday morning (6:30am, sun not up, but definitely light out) I was on my way out of town for a little ride in the country. Just 3 blocks from home, 4 way stop, I stop, then go on my turn and there's a van that just didn't see me. I'm OK (bruised, freaked out), the bike got it worse than me, LBS is calling tomorrow to let me know the damage. Anyway, the driver said he looked right and left, no cars, so he went. My reply to him was that I guess my Hi-Vis Orange jersey didn't work.

Oh, and, lesson learned. I've read it here; RIDE LIKE YOU'RE INVISIBLE. So, yes, I shall. And now I'm on a mission to a) ride like I'm invisible, and b) make every attempt to be visible.

So I'm helmet shopping (conked my head good), hi-vis jersey shopping (hate hi-vis yellow, but it's SO visible!), halfway considering an air horn to mount on the handle bars for the drivers who pull out in front of me, and seriously considering lights.

Here's my question, anyone here ride during the day with lights? You know how police strobe lights are so visible? I want something like that mounted on the handle bars (next to the air horn) and one on back. Or some sort of flashing bright light. Something that Mr Looked-both-ways-but-there-were-no-cars would see. I've only done a brief google search and found this you tube thing. He's got the hi-vis down! http://youtube.com/watch?v=l_RMIwfaoHk

So to wrap this up, what do ya'll do to stay safe? neon green/yellow? Any safety vests? Any flags? Reflector tape? Lights during the day? Or just ride like you're invisible?

Thanks!
jillm

[slmdunc]

Oh my goodness! Thank God you are all right!

I only first commuted to work on my bike last week - so I'm not an authority, but I've been asking the same questions of late. My partner is very nervous about my riding in LA traffic to work. So - I invested in a BRIGHT yellow vest, and a headlight, rear light that blinks. When I left my office at 7:30 the other night, it was twilight and I could see just fine; however, I swallowed my "cool" pride and turned on my lights to make sure I COULD BE SEEN BY THEM.

I wish you well on your search, and again - thank God you are okay!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I almost always wear screaming neon yellow tops stuff made by Brooks "NightLife" line. I have their t-shirts, tanks, jerseys, light windbreaker vest, and rain jacket. In winter I'll wear the vest over whatever warm jackets I have on.

They sell them on Terry cycles site and also at Footlocker.com.
Nightlife stuff is VERY visible. Drivers in town are always stopping me and telling me they see me from a mile away because of my neon yellow tops. I also wear a bright yellow helmet.

[meridian]

Yes, and it never seems to be enough!

1. I try to wear bright tops.. orange, red, yellow, etc.

2. I've got two of these (http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=22737) lights on the back on my bike that stay on whenever I'm out (one flashing and one solid on left seat stay and bike bag)

3. This (http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=4140) safety triangle that I wear on my back side at dusk, dawn, and in the dark.

4. A headlight similar to this (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=19272&item=40-2077&slitrk=search&slisearch=true) that only gets used in low light or dark conditions

5. handlebar end led lights that only get used in low like or dark conditions.

6. reflective striping on my helmet and seat stays

7. Make eye contact whenever possible! If you haven't...and even if you have, ride like you're invisible.

8. Obey all traffic laws, take lanes when necessary, don't get bullied into the gutters or edges of the road, where you're even less visible.

...unfortunely all this effort, and I still get close calls practically everyday where people just aren't paying attention, don't care and are intentionally dangerous, or just don't realize how dangerous it is to drive the way they do around cyclists.

[Zen]

I have one of these (http://phattire1.stores.yahoo.net/plbisufltali.html) I use during the day, wear high-vis or bright colors, and try for eye contact. I'll probably use a headlight during the day when the budget allows.

I wanted a bright yellow helmet but couldn't find one when I needed one so I settled for white.

So glad you weren't seriously injured. That goofy little dog needs someone to care for him ;)

[KnottedYet]

* bright yellow helmet with reflective tape
* screaming lime green vest with reflective tape
* blinky headlight and taillight (on in daylight, too)
* yellow panniers with reflective tape
* "Fred" reflectors still on bike
* reflective sidewall tires
* reflective tape and lime green stickers here and there on bike
* lime green reflective wrist and ankle bands

When I find a good flag, I won't be ashamed to use it.

Very sorry about your incident! I hope you and the bike heal up fine!

[PscyclePath]

I buy my jerseys in the most fluorescent, eye-poking colors that I can find. Always have a tail-light, and for evening and night riding, bought a nice Cygo-Lite dual-beam headlight. I do my best to be visible on the road, then ride predictably, using what they call the "vehicular mode" of cycling.

Plus, there's some good advice out there on the net:

How to Not Get Your A__ Run Over By a Car... (http://bicyclesafe.com/)

Robert Hurst's The Art of Urban Cycling: Lessons From the Street is a good book that covers the essential lessons of dealing with our four-wheeled companions out on the road and on the streets around town... It's available on Amazon, and is linked from the web site noted up above.

Y'all be careful out there!!

Tom E.

[jillm]

Thanks for all the info and links! Looks like the planetbike blinky superflash will be my tail light. And I'm pretty sure the LBS carries them. I've got a good sized list for next time I'm there. (lights, helmet, reflective tape...) I've never seen a yellow helmet there but they have an orange one...

And I've found some painfully bright yellow jerseys on sale at performance bike. The problem is my bike is a Bianchi Eros Donna (we're assuming it's gonna be ridable, I'll hear from them today) and it's a beautiful pale green--Bleached Celeste is what they call it. I'm going to have a hard time wearing Neon Yellow on a minty green bike. What a hideous contrast! oh well, I'll just have to suck it up and ride bright!

Thanks!
jillm

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Robert Hurst's The Art of Urban Cycling: Lessons From the Street is a good book that covers the essential lessons of dealing with our four-wheeled companions out on the road and on the streets around town... It's available on Amazon, and is linked from the web site noted up above.

Yes that book turned my whole head around and made me ride defensively and way more safely. It made me realize that some of the "safe" things I was doing were actually putting me into dangerous situations.
It's now been re-published with a new title as "Bicycling in the 21st Century" or something. Same book, different title. I bought it again, thinking it was a new book by Hurst. Annoying. :rolleyes: But a must-read for anyone who rides on roads with cars (and doesn't that include almost all of us?)

[PscyclePath]

Yes that book turned my whole head around and made me ride defensively and way more safely. It made me realize that some of the "safe" things I was doing were actually putting me into dangerous situations.

It's now been re-published with a new title as "Bicycling in the 21st Century" or something. Same book, different title. I bought it again, thinking it was a new book by Hurst. Annoying. :rolleyes: But a must-read for anyone who rides on roads with cars (and doesn't that include almost all of us?)

I've seen it offered in a couple of the local bookstores as "The Art of Cycling: Bicycling in the 21st Century." I almost bought it again, too... until I sat down and read it and figured out that it was just the original book with a new cover.

I've got a copy of Forester's Effective Cycling on order, it'll be interesting to compare and contrast the two, since Forester seems to be virulently "anti-bike path." We'll see.

Tom

[TsPoet]

The superflash blinky is good, but if you don't mind spending the $$, it can't hold a candle to
http://www.dinottelighting.com/DiNotte_Lighting_Ultra_Tail_Light.htm
I have two superflashes on my bike. I've got the Dinotte on order. I have a friend with one of these, and he's pulled cars over! I kid you not, cars see him coming in the daytime and pull over thinking he's a cop. He's carefully pointed his at a downward angle to keep from blinding motorists.
I also wear either jerseys or alertshirts. Alert shirts are inexpensive, wicking and bright bright bright. They are meant for road construction crews. They aren't as stretchy as most wicking shirts, though, and shipping is steap, so it's most cost effective to order several at once.
http://alertshirt.com/

Glad you are OK, hope we all continue to be OK!

[Zen]

The superflash blinky is good, but if you don't mind spending the $$, it can't hold a candle to
http://www.dinottelighting.com/DiNotte_Lighting_Ultra_Tail_Light.htm


That's the light Jillm referenced in her first post.
I had to watch that video four times before I saw that light, it might be good at night but I saw his flags much more than that light.

[mimitabby]

I've been thinking of a 3 feet flag for my commute. but what if a car hits the flag? what will that do to me?

[TsPoet]

That's the light Jillm referenced in her first post.
I had to watch that video four times before I saw that light, it might be good at night but I saw his flags much more than that light.

No, his is the 3, it's piddly compared to the dedicated taillight. I also don't like helmet-mounted lights. I have a patch of dirt near my house where mt bikers like to ride at night, I've been blinded while driving by several times, will never use a helmet mounted light!
http://www.dinottelighting.com/DiNotte_Lighting_Ultra_3.htm
Honest, the dedicated rear taillight is amazing. I'll see if I can find a photo somewhere. These things are also really small.

here are some photos of a taillight on a trike
http://greenluck.smugmug.com/gallery/2109681#125458178

[susiej]

Thanks for all the info and links! Looks like the planetbike blinky superflash will be my tail light. And I'm pretty sure the LBS carries them.

That's a good light, and bright enough to be seen in daytime when the sky is overcast (at least, that's what the other cyclists passing me said). I just got one and it's been great in the yucky weather. :)

For a horn, try the Honka Hoota (or Hoota Honka). It's loud, comes in a variety of colors, fits on your handlebars, is easy to install, and looks like a kid's horn. But it's LOUD. :)

[Geonz]

So, I"m reading your post and thinking "well, where is she? Some big city? People usually see me around here."

Then I see that you live um, really really close to me... (I'm on Anderson.)

So I guess my first advice would be: get an Xtracycle (http://www.xtracycle.com) because it's so weird people see it better .

I am not sure blinky lights will be noticeable... maybe... I have already figured out that the standard issue blinky in the back, headlight in the front - even big ones for both - just don't compare to being decorated like a Christmas tree, so I'm looking for the missing attachment parts of my hokey spokes (http://www.hokeyspokes.com) (took 'em off for a tour and can't find everything now :( ) I mainly use my position for visibility in the daytime; at night, copious little lights.

Other thing is yea, unless I see somebody seeing me, I'm pretty nervous about heading out... and if you don't mind... where exactly were you? Vine's four-ways are yukky...

[jillm]

So, I"m reading your post and thinking "well, where is she? Some big city? People usually see me around here."

Then I see that you live um, really really close to me... (I'm on Anderson.)


Hey, we're NEIGHBORS! I'm at Washington and Lynn. The Incident occurred at the Washington / Philo 4 way. I ride east out of town, not every day but often. And I USUALLY am seen. I am careful, but I will be hyper-vigilant from now on.

(BTW, I think you've met Mr Jillm. Actually he would have introduced himself as Geoff. He rode with the illini4000 from Chebanse to Urbana this summer!)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I've seen it offered in a couple of the local bookstores as "The Art of Cycling: Bicycling in the 21st Century." I almost bought it again, too... until I sat down and read it and figured out that it was just the original book with a new cover.

I've got a copy of Forester's Effective Cycling on order, it'll be interesting to compare and contrast the two, since Forester seems to be virulently "anti-bike path." We'll see.

Tom

It is interesting to compare. Hurst talks about the differences in the two riding approaches himself.
I used to utilize some of Forester's logical riding techniques and kept wondering why I was finding myself in dangerous and scary situations. Then I read Hurst's book and figured out why. The light bulb went on. I have stayed much safer in both in regular traffic and in all kinds of unexpected situations since then. Just my own experience....

[rij73]

Ditto on the suggestion to read the Hurst book. It's sold as either "The Art of Urban Cycling" or "The Art of Cycling".

[jillm]

I just ordered the "art of urban cycling" from Amazon. (also found yellow helmets! going to LBS for that purchase, though)

[tjf9]

Robert Hurst's The Art of Urban Cycling: Lessons From the Street is a good book that covers the essential lessons of dealing with our four-wheeled companions out on the road and on the streets around town... It's available on Amazon, and is linked from the web site noted up above.

I bought this book last week and have almost finished it. Great common sense advice on how to stay safe on the roads. Thanks for the recommendation!

I'm on a high-vis quest now too - just bought a screaming yellow jacket and am going to be adding reflectors on every available surface. I am determined to have a safe winter!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'm always happy when I hear of someone reading that book or buying bright biking clothes.... :) :) :)