Encouraging High-Visibility and Reflective Gear for Safe Cycling, or Victim Blaming ?

http://bikeportland.org/2014/12/12/think-encouraging-high-vis-gear-...

Days are getting shorter and people are commuting in the dark. Transportation agencies encourage cyclists to wear bright/high-visibility/reflective clothing and use lights. That might sound like common sense info to some, to others it is an offense. A form of victim blaming. Do you feel "being seen" helps you to "be safe?"

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dean Bekken on December 25, 2014 at 3:53am

Speaking of lights, what is up with drivers -- more of them all the time -- who don't use turn signals when peds, bikes, other cars are nearby? When I can, I stop them and ask "Is your turn signal broken? No? Then USE IT!!"

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on December 25, 2014 at 4:28am

Irks me too. It also bothers me how many drivers don't turn on their lights until it's almost pitch black out. As the title of the book I'm reading, during the "hour between dog and wolf" (the time at dusk when you can't distinguish a canine silhouette between a dog and a wolf).

Dean Bekken said:

Speaking of lights, what is up with drivers -- more of them all the time -- who don't use turn signals when peds, bikes, other cars are nearby? When I can, I stop them and ask "Is your turn signal broken? No? Then USE IT!!"

Permalink Reply by Davo on December 25, 2014 at 4:52am

I've always assumed that turn signals must be a very expensive add on for cars. That's why not many have them.

Dean Bekken said:

Speaking of lights, what is up with drivers -- more of them all the time -- who don't use turn signals when peds, bikes, other cars are nearby? When I can, I stop them and ask "Is your turn signal broken? No? Then USE IT!!"

Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on December 25, 2014 at 8:37am

Indeed. Front &rear reflectors, lights, wheel reflectors, AND a vest are a good investment.

PK RPR said:

Hi-Viz gear is like seatbelts in cars. You hate them at first then you forget you are wearing them and boy are you glad you are wearing it if you need it. Not full proof, not magic, but incredibly dumb not to wear.

Vests are like 10 or 12 bucks at Home Depot, they fit inside your helmet or bag/coat pocket, and can be worn over whatever you are wearing.

Not sure what the big deal is....

Permalink Reply by Fran Kondorf on December 25, 2014 at 8:42am

Seemed to me that non-use of the turn signal spiked hard after cellular telephones became ubiquitous.

One hand on the wheel and one holding the phone leaves none for that indicator lever on the column.

And another 'yes' vote for hi-viz safety wear and lights, fore and aft.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on December 25, 2014 at 9:51am

Bike Lights & Reflective Jackets - Do They Work?: http://youtu.be/9ZRXlrJ3Mi0

This video gives you a chance to see what a driver sees with different options of lights and clothing.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on December 26, 2014 at 8:11am

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/9581969/Fluorescent-clothing-were...

I've seen that study somewhere. I'm a high vis/reflective/lights cyclist, but I wonder what will happen when we "all look like lemons".

Serge Lubomudrov said:

I have cited in some other discussion here a study that came to a curious conclusion: high visibility clothing only makes the difference if it looks like a police reflective vest.

But I'll have the lights on after dark, even if the law is repealed.

Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on December 26, 2014 at 9:50am

Do cyclists in Chicago know they have to have white front lights visible from a minimum of 500 feet to the front and at the very least a red rear reflector or red rear lamp visible from a minimum of 200 feet?

I will assume all y'all here know, but man, it's 4 out of 5 out on the streets who do not seem to know or care about the law regarding lights. I had to drive daily for about 3 weeks last month, and what was a pet peeve became a serious problem with most fellow cyclists. It's really dangerous and stupid.

I advocate for a hard ticketing campaign here to get the word out among new bikers in town. I honestly think the only thing that talks in this case would be money, because safety is obviously not a concern.

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on December 26, 2014 at 10:07am

Not that I'm unsympathetic, but if Divvy bikes don't meet these requirements (I suspect they don't, at least w.r.t. front lighting), I see little point in a ticketing exercise.

Sarah D. said:

Do cyclists in Chicago know they have to have white front lights visible from a minimum of 500 feet to the front and at the very least a red rear reflector or red rear lamp visible from a minimum of 200 feet?

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on December 26, 2014 at 10:10am

Sarah, I completely agree with you. If a cyclist is riding at night without lights, they are invisible to drivers. Definitely better to get a ticket than get hit by a car that can't see you.

Sarah D. said:

I advocate for a hard ticketing campaign here to get the word out among new bikers in town. I honestly think the only thing that talks in this case would be money, because safety is obviously not a concern.

Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on December 26, 2014 at 1:28pm

I agree 100%. There is not enough self-policing by bikers among themselves in this regard. All I hear is excuses and rationalizations.

Sarah D. said:

Do cyclists in Chicago know they have to have white front lights visible from a minimum of 500 feet to the front and at the very least a red rear reflector or red rear lamp visible from a minimum of 200 feet?

I will assume all y'all here know, but man, it's 4 out of 5 out on the streets who do not seem to know or care about the law regarding lights. I had to drive daily for about 3 weeks last month, and what was a pet peeve became a serious problem with most fellow cyclists. It's really dangerous and stupid.

I advocate for a hard ticketing campaign here to get the word out among new bikers in town. I honestly think the only thing that talks in this case would be money, because safety is obviously not a concern.

Permalink Reply by Shawn Evans on December 27, 2014 at 10:51am

Construction workers and others wear high visibility clothing but no lights.

http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/x/construction-worker-hard-hat-isolate...

Cars have lights but do not wear clothing, other than 'car bras', which are not high-vis.

http://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com/img/articles/car-bras/sporty-s...

Something to think about.

I think.

In totally unrelated news, commuters on Japan's subways wear protective masks

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/05/21/world/22japan_600.jpg

And here's a construction worker wearing a mask.

http://thumb7.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/56478/56478,13...

Where are our masks?!? Don't we want to be safe???