Making Myself Side-Reflective

[kfergos]

Thursday night I almost got hit by a left-turner who didn't see me as I passed in front of him, in spite of my 2-watt front light and blindingly bright rear blinky light (my down low glow has passed on; it couldn't handle the 8-degree weather, I guess). This near-miss made me realize I have nothing marking me from the side in the dark. My solution:



3M Scotch Reflective Tape, applied in inch-long sections, to the rim of the front wheel. I'm so pleased with how bright this is! Unfortunately, the front wheel used up the entire roll I bought, and the hardware store won't get more until Tuesday. This only worked because I have disc brakes, so I have rims I don't have to use for braking. Still, I wanted to share how incredible the tape is -- super sticky, super reflective. Probably not good on clothes, but definitely a good find for on-bike applications.

[7rider]

Interesting.
You could also get some tires with reflective sidewalls. They work great and won't put anything on the wheel.
I took some of that 3M reflective tape and "pin-striped" my commuter. I wrapped it around the fork legs, the crank arms, and the top tube (not sure you'd want to ugly up your beautiful Seven that way, tho').

[kfergos]

I actually have a reflective Armadillo that I love, so I guess I'll be double-reflective when I put that back on. But right now it's studded tire season, and I already own a pair of really great non-reflective Nokian Hakkapeliitta W240 studded tires that I didn't want to replace.

I figured the rims were the least pretty part of my bike already, and as you say, tape would not be getting anywhere near the gorgeous ti frame. That would be desecration!

[7rider]

Just as an FYI
Peter White Cycles claims to have Schwalbe Marathon Winter - reflective sidewall studded tires in 700 c in stock: http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp

"700c version: ETRTO 35-622, 240 studs, 40 psi to 70 psi, our part number SWL11126448 Out of stock. May be available again in January, 2009.

700c version: ETRTO 42-622, 240 studs, 35 psi to 60 psi, our part number SWL11156448In Stock!

All sizes, $74.00 each"

[wackyjacky1]

I added some of the reflective stickers that TE sells to boost my visibility from the side:



I also added them to my helmet:

[CommuterChick]

I got Spokelits, and I'm giving these as Christmas presents, they're great -- come in a variety of colors, and make you very, very visible from the side. I jumped on them after I ALMOST turned into a rider -- dark bike, dark clothes, dark but busy road, rider had front and rear lights, good ones, but couldn't be seen at all square on from the side.
Spokelits have a steady and a blinky setting. And they cost $10 at my absolutely wonderful LBS