blinking safety vest

[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.

[Technotart]

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.

Oh absolutely the more the better! Just don't expect an LED vest to be the only thing you need to be visible is all I don't care about looking like a geek - I have a pair of short tri bars on my bike just for hanging gadgets and lights on! LOL.

Here is a video of some night light products - we are planning on shooting something similar in the next few weeks:
http://jasonagar.blogspot.com/2007/1...lectivity.html

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[DeniseGoldberg]

Here is a video of some night light products - we are planning on shotting something similar in the next few weeks:
http://jasonagar.blogspot.com/2007/1...lectivity.html

Thanks for posting the link to this video. I found the footage to be quite frightening from a standpoint of how poorly most of the cyclists were lit. Maybe in person the lights were more visible, but watching the video tells me that people are not using enough lights - let alone bright enough lights.

I know they exist; I've see a couple of cyclists here (at night) who were lighting up the night, but I've seen many more who were pretty close to invisible.

--- Denise

[Technotart]

When I first saw that video, I too was surprised by how invisible most of them were. I think most of us probably are less visible than we think we are, no matter how good a job we do of lighting up. I did notice that reflective tape on the rims seemed to be more visible than anything else - just have to be careful to keep it off the braking surface.

I was thinking about trying out some tires with reflective side walls.

[Tri Girl]

That's a great video to show me that I need to wear at least 10 taillights and 5 headlamps plus put reflective tape all over my bike and on my clothes. None of the cyclists were really lit up. To me, almost all of them were invisible. Shocking.

Now I want to video myself to see if I'm as lit up as I think I am (I have a blinky on my rear stay, my seat post and my helmet- one bright headlight on the bike and a dimmer one on my helmet, and reflective tape on all the chrome parts of my bike). I'll bet I'm dimmer than I think I am (although DH says I'm probably a distraction to motorists because I'm so blinky).

[Geonz]

I just got a handful of 10-LED strings for $1.50 a pop at teh grocery store. (No, the 2 AA batteries were not included.) They're visible from lots of directions, they're not totally distracting (when more than one car hits the curb I knwo I've gone too far... but that took the pig-snout helmet cover :-) ) ... if I could only juice 'em from the generator!

Now for this snowy rain to clear out...

[Technotart]

We went out and tested the night vision stuff -

Conclusions -

* Most headlights are either way too bright or far too dim (Blind a motorist or make yourself barely visible)

* The LED vests are VERY visible as long as they have good batteries - the lights dim rapidly as the batteries wear. This goes for pretty much all the LED stuff.

* Reflective sidewall tires allowed the bike to be easily identified as a bicycle.

* The reflective piping on tights near the ankles is also very visible, hence the more of it, the better.

* Illuminite fabric does NOT light up - it barely glows at all, but gives the illusion that the person is wearing a light colored garment - so more visible than other garments to a small degree, and definitely more visible than someone in a black hoodie!

* Red blinkers sold in most bike shops for cheap are barely bright enough to be seen and should not be used as a single light - again some of that depended on how new the batteries were, if you are going to buy 5.00 blinky lights, buy 5 of them and since you are going to spend more money anyway,just give it up and spend the money on a good one.

Many of us never ride at night, but it could occur that due to a flat or other event, that you end up out on the road at dusk or after dark. Carry a spare flashlight and a velcro strap if nothing else.

oh...and the gloves above ROCK!

[Geonz]

This light (welp, *and* the blinky on my helmet and the one on my backpack) got me commendations from a passing truck driver. Big fat thirteen dollars and shipping, though installing it was a little tricky. (you can spen$40 for one with a cycling mount at www.reallite.com ) http://www.gulfcoast-solutions.com/s...fety&ppinc=T1b

[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.