How to make myself more visible?

[makbike]

I commute to work several times a week. Unfortunately I must travel east in the morning which means I'm riding into the sun. This morning a colleague told me she had a really had time seeing me because of the sun. Do you guys have any suggestions on how to make myself more visible on my morning commute?

[PscyclePath]

I commute to work several times a week. Unfortunately I must travel east in the morning which means I'm riding into the sun. This morning a colleague told me she had a really had time seeing me because of the sun. Do you guys have any suggestions on how to make myself more visible on my morning commute?

1. Hi-vis yellow (or is it chartreuse) jersey and/or reflective vest. You'll be surprised how much that color shows up under various road conditions. Bright orange or yellow is probably next best. Red is less effective, since it often blends into shadows and the background, and there's a surprising number of us males out there who are red/green color blind. Hot, fluorescent pink is a surprisingly visible color Avoid jerseys or outer garments that are mostly black, grey, blue, green, or brown.

2. Blinky lights. Yep, even in the daytime that helps you stand out from the background noise. And if you're out around sunrise or twilight, you need to have a full set of lights (white headlight, red tail-light, both easily visible from at least 500 feet away) mounted on the bike and turned on. Lights - not just reflectors. We've lost two riders here in Arkansas in the past year from the simple lack of lights.

3. Roadway positioning. Don't be a "gutter bunny." Position yourself where motorists are going to expect other vehicles to be... Typically in a narrow lane that's going to be somewhere between the right-hand wheel track and the center of the lane. Ride predictably -- in as straight a line as possible -- and don't weave in and out of the gaps between parked cars. Always scan behind you to make sure there's no overtaking traffic to either side before you change lanes or move laterally on the roadway. Get a rear-view mirror, and use it. Don't forget to check over your shoulder as well, regardless of whether you're using a mirror.

You get the same effect in the late afternoon while riding west into the setting sun, btw...

Tom

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

HI-vis yellow, definitely. Drivers tell me they see me from a mile away.
I have lots of Brooks Nightlife gear. Probably the most versatile piece of all is their regular vest, which Terry now has on sale:
http://www.terrybicycles.com/detail....2052&c=On+Sale
It's lightweight, has convenient pockets, and is blindingly bright.

[indigoiis]

Even those cheapo construction worker safety vests work wonders. You can pick them up at Home Depot or other stores for a few bucks.

Also, I agree on the positioning thing. I have one road which is 45 mph, little shoulder, into the sun morning and evening, with hills. As I crest a hill, if I am going slowly, I try to stay a little outside of the white line, steady and straight (seated). It seems to work so far.

[Becky]

Try a Planet Bike Superflash blinky light. These things are so bright that DH and I actually have them angled down slightly to avoid blinding each other. Even then, they're plenty bright. We also run headlights on the commuters year-round, morning and evening.

Screaming yellow is good stuff too. If you don't have any, I highly recommend it.

[Geonz]

I have been told that it was my bright yellow that was visible in the morning sun. Of course, my wide profile (the bike more so than my backside, I hope ) helps, too... get an Xtracycle for visibility!

[Chile Pepper]

I just bought this red jersey: http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=31148

Is that not bright enough? I was looking for a high-vis yellow jersey, but couldn't really find anything that looked shockingly bright. I don't want to wear a vest over my jersey on my normal rides. Does anyone know of a jersey in that colore?

[Irulan]

I just bought this red jersey: http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=31148

Is that not bright enough? I was looking for a high-vis yellow jersey, but couldn't really find anything that looked shockingly bright. I don't want to wear a vest over my jersey on my normal rides. Does anyone know of a jersey in that colore?

Look for international lime shirts. Why WOULDN'T you wear a safety color/vest over your jersey if you are worried about visibility?

[Becky]

Voler and Pearl Izumi both had screamin' yellow jerseys in their summer lines this year. Not sure what's still available now that fall is approaching....

[tulip]

Great source for safetywear, including international lime. Good prices, too.

www.alertshirts.com

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I was looking for a high-vis yellow jersey, but couldn't really find anything that looked shockingly bright. I don't want to wear a vest over my jersey on my normal rides. Does anyone know of a jersey in that colore?

Again, google Brooks Nightlife and you will find all kinds of jogging/biking wear including jerseys....all in SCREAMING hi-vis yellow.

[Chile Pepper]

Why WOULDN'T you wear a safety color/vest over your jersey if you are worried about visibility?

I guess I'm concerned about restricted movement from the extra layer--and overheating in the summer (although it's winter here now, and I'm wearing my yellow windbreaker without any trouble).

I just found this, which looks about as bright as it gets: http://www.cbssportsstore.com/produc...811000#featBen

Has anyone ever tried a Danskin jersey?

[smurfalicious]

Avoid jerseys or outer garments that are mostly black, grey, blue, green, or brown.

Ugh, my entire wardrobe is blue except one or two pieces. My old bike was blue so I wanted to match, and only rode MTB. Grrr! Even the new kit I ordered is black and blue.

Why can't there be cute yellow stuff? I like yellow, but I hate spending money on boring bike clothes.

[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!