Be safe - be seen?

Originally Posted by ophic

A cloud of twinkly fairy dust following him everywhere?

Correct!

I feel more like i'm gonna be mutilated in the light than in the dark... I don't wear high vis and i'm not sure of the diff it makes from the front anyways. White helmet helps though i guess

That 'assume nobody has seen you' rule has been at the front of my mind since i saw it here when i started riding, worked a treat so far.

Originally Posted by starks

you need a blue flashing light strapped to your head my friend

From someone what knows these things....blue lights....don't make much difference a lot of the time. Still get divvies that have NO IDEA that you are there, even with sirens and emergency driving techniques!

Originally Posted by Milky Bar Kid

Correct!

When you two have quite finished!

Originally Posted by starks

you need a blue flashing light strapped to your head my friend

dont forget with artics if you cant see their mirrors they cant see you, and at least your here to write this thread, so just keep your eyes peeled buddy

That makes no difference, I would suggest just casue some drivers just to get in the way more...

If it would fit on da bike I want one of these puppies;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHCNha9Xxas

however I don't the bike makes enough power for that just yet

I can ony suggest as other have said ride with attitude, I made some driver pull over not so long ago who nearly took me off while using a phone. They weren't so happy when I was finshed.

My gear is reflective, not mention a loud bike really you need to keep looking always. Espically juctions, for the red light hoppers ect.

I've got a lollypop lady jacket, full on 3/4 length "stop children" affair. Only wear it when it's likely to rain (which means from now until next July, every day) but combined with overtrousers I'm more waterproof than a duck. I'm also luminescent enough to be seen from space. And still folks pull out on me, fail to see I'm already on the bleeding roundabout, generally raise the pulse rate on a daily basis.

Only upside is that I think (*think* perception is an iffy thing) that I don't get tailgated as much when wearing it - the full on neon stop children logo presumably gives following drivers enough of a giggle to destract them from their murderous rage.

I'm wondering though - I'm not 100% sure that I actually get cut up and not seen any less when in a car, it's perhaps just that while on a bike we tend to (naturally) take these things a lot more personally and remember them.

I like the idea of weaving a bit when approaching cars emerging from sidestreets, though I suppose that weaving time might be better spent covering the brakes and offering up a prayer to the God of Wet Manhole Covers.

edit: got mine from an army surplus store - who knew lollypop ladies had an armed regiment

I have commuted through winter since getting a bike and it has never really bothered me too much, but this year I am just not feeling it. I had the same again this morning.

I do drive defensive and at my own pace, just wondered if there is more I can be doing to stop some of the cnuts from scaring the ****e out of me each day.

Or maybe i'll just get in the car.

[STRAMASHER]

You get used to spotting the nuggets.

Every bloody one you happen upon!

I ride offensively defensive.

If people don't want to see you they just won't.

You could swap your hi-biz vest for a jacket with sleeves. Same material just sleeves as well, not that expensive.

[phi-dan]

I've got a long sleeved HV vest which will be going on shortly now it's dark at both ends of the day.
Ironically, the only time someone has actually pulled into my path and hit me was when I was wearing a full HV vest, white helmet, headlights on.