If you are only talking about daylight visibility, then I agree with the construction worker vest. You don't even need one that zips up. You can use the one you pull over your head and has no sides--the ones that buckle on the sides stay in place pretty well. dontgethit.com has some selections that work well. I got the reflective collars for my kids, but they are small for adults.
The fluorescent colors do help. People have told me that my fluorescent colored helmet can be seen from very far away, so if you wear a helmet a hi-vis one would be recommended. Maybe you can change your socks at work, but if you get super hi vis ankle length socks, then you see them moving up and down during the day and they can be seen from quite far away too (out here you get these all black wearing riders with bright pink or yellow socks, or sometimes fluorescent shoe covers--all you see is their ankle or foot moving around). If I am wearing long pants, then I tuck my pants into my socks. It helps keep them out of the chain and makes my beautiful socks visible. Maybe not fashionable, but we're trying not to get hit. At night, I definitely use the ankle bands to keep my pants tucked close--Riv ones are the best! Fluorescent clothes emit light (that is what fluorescence is). That is why they seem unnaturally bright. I don't use blinking lights--perhaps because I am too lazy to use battery powered lights. My dynamo front and rear are always on, and my fluorescent clothes are quite easily seen (at least I've been told) even in the shade--except for when the sun is coming directly in the eyes, in which case seeing anything can be difficult! --Riding style: don't zig in and out of the parked cars. If there is a big gap you can go in to the parked car space for others to pass, but quickly take a line that will get wide of the parked cars slowly and predictably, so the cars know you are going to be in that space soon. Use a rearview mirror to see behind you and plan appropriately. Don't hug the cars on the side of the road. If you are riding in the door zone, then if a person opens the car door on you, then you will get "doored" and crash. Also it is harder to see you when you blend in with the parked cars. On roads with two lanes in the same direction with no bike lane and moderate speed traffic, I take the lane and ride in the middle of the lane. This is especially important when it is not safe for two cars, you and a parked car all lined up side by side. If you take the lane, then ride like a car. Don't go around the cars at a stoplight, just to have them have to figure out how to pass you and then you have to work your way back into your own lane. If you keep your spot in the line, then the cars will respect your position and not get as annoyed with you. The safety triangles that Riv sells are really good. I mounted one on the back of my seat and did notice a significant improvement in space given to me by cars. --Just my general commuting tips--that will generally make you much more visible, but not necessarily directed at the original poster. Toshi -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CAGB59xwDtjzTjp669SfD%2B%3Dqvyoh9fEJsdxvYH0-WXgRWCjUuBQ%40mail.gmail.com.
