Reflective Jacket

[Kayakguy]

For night/dusk, it can't hurt to wear reflective colors. Reflective sidewalls are good too. Safe biking may seem sort of dorky as far as fashion, but better to be seen than viewed.

Do bikes still come with the reflective plastic plates that are wedged into the spokes? The advantage is that they rotate as you pedal and that makes them more visible. Mounted fore and aft, they show a driver what you are. But seems many people regarded them as dorky, and removed them. Better to be cool than dead, I guess.

 

[Art Deco]

For night/dusk, it can't hurt to wear reflective colors. Reflective sidewalls are good too. Safe biking may seem sort of dorky as far as fashion, but better to be seen than viewed.

Around here, an adult riding a bicycle is already at maximum dork. So it doesn't matter what you wear. Be seen and be safe.

 

[AvalancheRun]

Around here, an adult riding a bicycle is already at maximum dork.

That's sad commentary on life in the US, but I know the type of area you're talking about.

 

[Art Deco]

Do bikes still come with the reflective plastic plates that are wedged into the spokes? The advantage is that they rotate as you pedal and that makes them more visible. Mounted fore and aft, they show a driver what you are. But seems many people regarded them as dorky, and removed them. Better to be cool than dead, I guess.

I remember them, but I haven't seen them in years. Probably still exist ...

 

[Art Deco]

That's sad commentary on life in the US, but I know the type of area you're talking about.

The area involved seems to be anyplace east of California; exceptions for bike trails or islands where cars/trucks are banned. Not really a big deal to me ... I've been considered a lot worse than dorky.

 

[Kayakguy]

The way I wrote that makes no sense. What I mean is better to be dead rather than dorky (in the view of those who cringe at the thought of being dorky).

 

[Art Deco]

The way I wrote that makes no sense. What I mean is better to be dead rather than dorky (in the view of those who cringe at the thought of being dorky).

Your meaning came through just fine. "Better Dead Than Dork" has a nice ring to it ...

 

[AvalancheRun]

The area involved seems to be anyplace east of California; exceptions for bike trails or islands where cars/trucks are banned. Not really a big deal to me ... I've been considered a lot worse than dorky.

Yup. In cities it’s a little better, fortunately. I live in Austin where a ton of people bike to get around.

Giant SUVs and commuter trucks look like the height of stupidity to me now (though I’ve owned one of each in the past).

 

[Art Deco]

Yup. In cities it’s a little better, fortunately. I live in Austin where a ton of people bike to get around.

Giant SUVs and commuter trucks look like the height of stupidity to me now (though I’ve owned one of each in the past).

My daughter lived there for a few years.Only real problem with Austin (if you like a hot climate) is that it's surrounded by Texas...

 

[Bobsiii]

https://www.bikelaneuprising.com/shop

Excellent stuff.

 

[fexixav]

I have been using this kind of jacket for a few years now. I don't know anything about the potentially dodgy Kickstarter campaign version but the Proviz brand out of the UK has been around for years. The only thing is they are Chinese-sized so I normally wear an XL jacket and I need a 3XL instead. I have the raincoat. You can buy them on Amazon and they are damned expensive... but getting run over costs more and if you ride in the dark regularly (as in all winter) there's no question this kind of protection far exceeds a jacket or hoody with just strips. I replaced my construction hoody with this in fact.

Its just a grey jacket in the daytime. Only comes alive in reflective light at night.

The effect once I started wearing it at night was immediate and noticeable. I saw cars about to turn in front of me start forward and stop dead. It became a pattern where nobody turns in front of me anymore. Same with overtaking drivers who want to turn. They slow down and stay behind me (I can see them back there in my helmet mirror). Think on it: Who is going to be able to argue in court they didn't see me? I think drivers realize that. I do when I see a woman with a baby carriage crossing in front of me... I always make an extra effort because in part I know there is no jury in the world who will listen to a story where I try and justify how I ended up hitting them.

I have been at the side of an intersection and drivers have rolled down their windows and told me how awesome it is right after asking "wtf is that where did you get that?" The reactions I have gotten are 100% positive. You'd think some schmuck would get pissy but that hasn't been the case. People can see a construction vest too but the jacket seems to bring out a much stronger reaction that gets Washington Commanders Jacket people to stand down and just take it in.

That sounds like a great idea! Full reflective jackets are excellent for visibility, especially during low-light conditions like night rides. They help you stand out much more than just a strip of reflectivity. Worth considering for safer biking!