blinking safety vest

[SadieKate]

Ah, here we go.

http://www.branfordbike.com/reflect/reflect1.html

[DeniseGoldberg]

If you're going with the blinking vest - please make sure that the lights are on the vest in a spot where they will be seen if you are riding on the drops - if you ride in the drops, that is! (As in, I believe the lights should extend close to the bottom of the vest.) Some of the examples that SadieKate posted look OK, but at least one looks to me like the lights don't extend far enough. (It's just a picture though, I could be totally off base here!)

I was out walking just after sunset one day when I saw a cyclist who was wearing a blinky on his vest. Unfortunately he had the light clipped close to the top of his vest and he was riding on the drops. From the back he was pretty much invisible.

If the lights are properly placed, these vests look like a great idea.

I don't ride after dark, but I do walk. I've been using Firefly Supernova lights from Road ID, and I've had people stop me in the street to tell me that they thought I was a police car. Hmm... I guess my lights are visible! (And yes, I did say lights - I wear 2 red blinkies facing to the rear, and 3 blue blinkies facing forward, and I am walking facing traffic).

--- Denise

[SadieKate]

Absolutely agree. That's why I like lights positioned across the shoulder blades. But if you're just running this isn't quite as critical.

[jobob]

Ooh, these LED bands look nifty

http://www.ledtronics.com/ds/led-band/default.asp

[Pedal Wench]

I bought vests from a woman in the UK who sells them for equestrians. I think they're made by Kitt, and mine are hot pink. The LEDs run the length of the vest, and are quite visible from all sides.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FLUORESCENT-TA...QQcmdZViewItem

[Geonz]

I saw athe blinking vest in the LBS last Saturday. The owner said he's sold a few but they haven't been flyin' off the shelves... the geek factor's pretty high!

I got these LED bands from planet bike for my surrogate nephews.

[Zen]

I got these LED bands from planet bike for my surrogate nephews.

My dogs are each getting one of these and they don't even ride bikes.

[Technotart]

Don't count on anything above the waist in terms of reflective material - the headlights just don't hit it up there. All the reflective stuff should be below the waist - on the pants, shoes, frame, cranks, wheels etc. Movement catches people's eyes, so if you can put reflective material on the moving parts of your bike and body you will be seen and noticed.

LED's above the waist are fine - but honestly most of those little LED's in these vests are not really bright enough to be seen from a distance in the dark - I have a lighted vest like this but I don't wear it. There are a number of reasonably priced headlights and tail lights out there that will serve better. I found at the local hardware store, a 6 LED headlamp which I can wear on my helmet, on the bike or use as a red rear light that is so bright it casts actual beams of light, even in the red mode - I bought three of them - they were less than 20.00 each.
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[SadieKate]

Technotart - are you riding with streetlights or without? I think that makes a huge difference. Our Nathan vests with the entire LED strip can be seen a long distance off. It's nice to have a riding partner because you can critique each other's light/reflective efficacy.

We were riding in and out of lit areas -- reflective material for lit areas and LEDs for dark areas. We met others with similar vests and it made a huge difference in dark areas. The more of everything the better and who cares about the geek factor.

[KathiCville]

Denise.....Thanks for the tip on the Firefly Supernovas!.....I just ordered a blue one on a wristband and a simple red clip-on to put on the lower back of my jacket or undersaddle bag to supplement my flashing tail-light.