Black????really????

[limewave]

DH was very frustrated after the last race he did because EVERYONE was wearing black with white/red accents. It made it impossible to mark people. It's the new trend I guess.

I've noticed that as cycling has gotten more popular over the last 10 years that certain safety precautions have gone out the window.

Before I did my first group ride, I was drilled about how to properly ride in a group: keeping a cadence (not yo-yoing), learning hand signals, how to draft, how to rotate w/o surging--it was a big deal. The jerseys/kits were wild colors, very visible.

Now, people wear iPods with headphones on group rides Jersey's are more fashionable, but not visible-friendly. The last few group rides I've done I've feared for my life b/c most everyone in the group didn't know basic safety precautions.

[PamNY]

I noticed that hi-viz bikers were hard to see when driving in Shenandoah on an autumn day. Not sure what would work in that situation, though.

NYC is full of black-clad, unlighted bikers. I could easily have hit one last night as I passed a runner, and I am careful. I literally couldn't see him with headlights from highway traffic in my eyes.

Hi-viz definitely works in the city. Pll, I agree with you that drivers are more courteous. In addition, I've had various people -- cops, passers-by, etc. -- randomly compliment me on my blazing glory.

[GLC1968]

Personally, I think cycling attire should be chosen based on riding location and conditions as much as possible. There are times when a black jersey will be more visible than a white one. When I used to ride in NC - there were a couple of winter rides we did where the roads were clear, but the fields had snow on them and the sun was super bright. A white clad rider would have totally disappeared and black would have offered more contrast.

On the other hand, wearing black at night is just asking for trouble.

I would opt to not wear orange when commuting home into the sunset (I kept my turquoise for those rides) and I don't wear my lime green jersey when riding in the country in the spring as it's virtually the same color as the fields/trees as they start to bloom.

That said, I actually noticed yesterday in our typical winter gloom that NOTHING stood out on cyclists (I was in a car) as well as hi-vis yellow. It made itself glaringly apparent in every single case (daylight conditions).

[Lesley_x]

My winter cycling clothes are black.

But then I only cycle in broad daylight and with lights sooo....

[lph]

In summer I wear brightly coloured tops, but for winter use I have a black softshell jacket and a grey one. Nothing to do with fashion, but light colours would all turn grey quite fast with road splash anyway, and washing jackets often isn't good for the water repellency. Mainly it's because winter riding here = riding in the dark, and in the dark there's no difference between black, red, fuschia or turquoise. Lights and reflective stripes are the way to go, and I'm decked out like a Christmas tree. In daylight bright colours are easier to see, but then again - in a busy city environment there's colour everywhere, so even then it's the flashing lights that announce to everyone "cyclist ahead!".

[kermit]

I have to add that the majority of the folks wearing black, are triathletes, usually in one or two piece kits. These are also the folks out doing longer rides for the upcoming IM and races, my good friend included. I have told her over and over but she is attached to her black tri tanks. It is a VERY popular cycling area but also with a lot of traffic. To each his own I guess...

[Owlie]

Funny you should mention that, GLC. I've got a green jersey that I won't wear on the road because the area has tons of trees. DBF thinks it's perfectly visible. It might be in AZ, because there's not a lot of bright green around. (Never mind that it's not really visible from a distance...)
There are a lot of the bright yellow maples around here. You probably would have a hard time picking out even high-vis yellow against that backdrop.

I agree that the choices often aren't there. I e-mailed the company who made my jacket, suggesting that they should make women's jackets in brighter colors. (They have three options, two of which are black with reflective designs.) They agreed, but they said they were limited by what their supplier gave them. Next jacket I buy will be yellow or orange...

[kimikaw]

Great discussion here! Getting me thinking about all my bike clothes - not just the yellow hi-viz jacket I wear when commuting. My first bike jersey was black - and I did start to think maybe it wasn't bright enough for the road (but great for the trail).

For commuting, like others mention, lit up like a Christmas tree, front blinkie, two or 3 rear blinkies, lightweight reflector stickers on every spoke. But still know I must continually be aware of cars, consistent in my riding, and always a bit defensive.

[tamagojo]

http://m.theage.com.au/victoria/refl...016-16odw.html

This is an article that I read a couple of weeks ago. It suggests that after dark the most visible thing is reflective strips on moving body parts (eg ankles). It said that fluoresent gear is only useful in daylight hours. I thought it interesting