Hi-Vis or Not

As the winter is setting in, I wanted to get people's opinions/thoughts on the Hi-Vis vest option? The reason I ask is because I see so many people riding mopeds and such wearing dark clothing that i wonder why they risk it.

Secondly, I was on the A40 riding back from town towards Hanger Lane and saw a moped had been hit with a girl lying on the floor - lots or people pulled over so I parked up and went over to help. I don't mean to sound harsh, but she was wearing no protective clothing, no high-vis at all and it was wet and dark. Luckily an ambulance was passing by and helped. I had my hi-vis on so helped to direct traffic into other lanes til they had her off the road.

So what are your thoughts? do you wear the vest and look like a bus driver or play it cool and try to blend in with the night?

Originally Posted by MR K

So what are your thoughts? do you wear the vest and look like a bus driver or play it cool and try to blend in with the night?

Personally I don't where high vis but its hardly to try and 'play it cool'. I'm on a big bike, if a car driver has missed the headlights, noise of the exhaust etc etc then I can't see high vis makes any difference.

I do however always wear full protective gear whenever on the bike, I don't bother with high vis stuff because I don't see the point, plus I find it damn irritating.

There is always the factor that wearing high vis can give a biker a false sense of security, they make assumptions that they have been seen by the car driver. Personally, I assume that I'm invisible at all times and ride accordingly.

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by Kate

Personally I don't where high vis but its hardly to try and 'play it cool'. I'm on a big bike, if a car driver has missed the headlights, noise of the exhaust etc etc then I can't see high vis makes any difference.

I do however always wear full protective gear whenever on the bike, I don't bother with high vis stuff because I don't see the point, plus I find it damn irritating.

There is always the factor that wearing high vis can give a biker a false sense of security, they make assumptions that they have been seen by the car driver. Personally, I assume that I'm invisible at all times and ride accordingly.

To quote my DAS instructor

"Hi-Vis is a waste of time. Too many people wear it, so people dont see it."

He then went on to say it was not a total waste of time, but not as good as you would think/hope.

Next time you are out, look at the proliferation of Hi-Vis, and see if it stands out or fades away.

David

[SoulKiss]

That said - http://www.hivis.net/133/High-Visibi...Saturn-Yellow/ looks useful if for no other reason than my leathers dont have pockets.......

David

Me, no Hi-Vis in town when commuting, mainly because of the streetlights and because it would be covered by my rucksac.

I would consider it if undertaking longer trip out of town after dusk so long as I wasn't using my rucksack.

I should point out that my rucksack and the sleives of my jacket have reflective panels and that I'm careful to keep my lights clean even if the rest of the bike isn't.

Originally Posted by Kate

There is always the factor that wearing high vis can give a biker a false sense of security, they make assumptions that they have been seen by the car driver. Personally, I assume that I'm invisible at all times and ride accordingly.

Agree with Kate. Its like anything else, it can help but you shouldnt rely on it to do so.

Hi vis tbh probably wont help you with drivers at junctions looking at the front of your bike - most of it wont be spotted due to tank/bars/tank bags and any fairing if you have it. Where it can help is in the dark or bad weather with cars behind you [assuming youre not wearing a rucksack ]

I should point out that my rucksack and the sleives of my jacket have reflective panels and that I'm careful to keep my lights clean even if the rest of the bike isn't

how come you nearly hit that cyclist then

When it starts getting dark and the weather sets in I will be wearing my high-vis, so when they do hit me I can say... Look, my lights where on and I was wearing a high-vis are you blind!

If its good enough for police, road works and such its good enough for me...

Oh and I wear a Respro High-Vis like this:

[mattSV]

I wear it in the winter, however I do not rely on it.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by empty

Lacking in a bit of style admittedly, but I got one of these.



From Here. Bargain at 10 quid, and its waterproof (which my codura jacket is proving not to be from time to time). Zip front, doesn't flap at 70mph, they are policeman sizes though, medium is good me in my bike gear (I'm 6' tall).

MT

This is £4.70 plus £8.17 postage (regardless how many)
Anyone want to buy in a group purchase? to share the postage?