High visibility quest

[Zen]

I have one of these 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...

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.

[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. 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. 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/DiNot...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/DiNot...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.

[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".

[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....

[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

[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 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 (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!)