How to make myself more visible?

[pardes]

How about a very long peacock feather stuck to your helmet and waving in the breeze? No? Okay, how about one of those revolving flashing "danger radiation" flasher lights stuck on your helmet?

Seriously, flashing headlights and tail lights will help. As a newbie I use them in the daylight when traffic gets nasty.

Hey, here ya go....a Whelen Super-LED 360° Beacon. That's what I want on top of my helmet!

And speaking of flasher lights.....

[crazycanuck]

Pardes, can I join your party You're too cool!

I want one of those flasher signs!

[emily_in_nc]

Performance sells a sheet of high-viz, reflective yellow stickers you can put anywhere on your helmet. They work!

[Serendipity]

Someone else mentioned this, I think, but can you change your time a bit - even 15 minutes to half an hour earlier or later - seems to make a huge difference when the sun is in the driver's eyes.

Sounds like a tough route - keep safe!

[makbike]

The time I leave is also pretty firm given traffic. If I leave earlier I'm amongst all the elementary school parents who drive their kids to school on the route I travel. I have to be at work at 8 so I try to leave around 7:45 (it is only a 7 minute commute).

[sfa]

With a seven minute commute, I wouldn't worry so much about overheating and would just suck it up and get a high-vis vest. Another cheap solution for your signaling hand are these blinkie LED buttons Since you're going such a short distance, you could slap one on to your glove or sleeve and just keep it on for the whole ride. They have strong magnetic attachments, and while they aren't designed for cycling, when my husband bought some my first thought was "wow, I could cover myself with these and be really visible! And look like something from a Disney parade!"

This is something that's likely only going to be a problem for a few weeks each fall and spring. I used to commute into the sun like that and it was always horrible for a few weeks, and then it would get to the point where the sun was either high enough or low enough that visibility was easier.

Sarah

[crazycanuck]

I don't know if this is something you'd use but i'll throw the info here for you.
I know nothing about this item however I want one..


http://www.bikesportz.com.au/product...umi_strip.html

[jaydee]

In winter, just before I get to work, I drive along a busy road that heads straight into the low morning sun. There is an on-road bike path on the edge of the road, but it is still so difficult to see if there is anyone in that lane as you turn into the road. There was one young male cyclist who probably looked super-sexy in his black gear every morning - but who just couldn't be seen from the car. One morning I still had all my cycling gear in the car, including a $5 UV yellow with reflector stripes vest. I pulled up in front of the cyclist and when he came near, I just held out this vest to him. He stopped and asked what I wanted - I told him to please take the vest and wear it as I just couldn't see him on the road. He was slightly taken aback, but said thanks and put the vest on. I often see him in the morning now, wearing the vest - I always give a toot of the car horn just after I pass him and give him a wave.

The workers' vests have a fluorescent / UV thread in the weave so that they show up in sunlight and can be seen from a great distance. In the evening, the fluorescence does not react to artificial light which is why you then need the reflective stripes.

[Becky]

Hey, here ya go....a Whelen Super-LED 360° Beacon. That's what I want on top of my helmet!

And speaking of flasher lights.....

If you ever get a 360 beacon, you have to post pics here And that sign is too much! LOL!