Hi-Vis or Not

People, play nice. And please dont say "i was, it wasnt me it was him / her" they said he said she said.
To try and pour some oil on the water, cause we all like that

1. Some people feel that high viz makes you easier to see and therefore makes you safer.

2. Some people feel that it gives a flase sense of security and therefore cancels out any benefits or makes you less safe.

Wheather you choose to wear high viz, white helmet etc is individual choice, as is whether you ride in jeans or leathers.

You are just as safe riding in jeans as you are in leathers, Until you come off then quite clearly its no contest.
So you are just as safe / unsafe riding with or without high viz until the one time when the car that was going to pull out luckily sees your day glo top or reflective piping.
Yes you must still ride like you are invisible and assume the worst at all times but every little helps. I dont think anyone who chooses to wear high viz feels its like a magic cloak that protects them but if it increases their chances of being seen by 1% then its worth it to them.

I spoke to a friendly traffic cop who said that whilst training police drivers (commentating on everything they see) they planted a cyclist squating by his bike (as if broken) and the times he was wearing high viz he was seen an average of 3 seconds earlier, At 60mph thats about 80 meters earlier. We all know that 3 seconds can make a hugh difference.
Also high viz during daylight can be seen up to 1 mile away and think about the last time you spotted an animal at night, was it its dark fur or reflective eyes that stood out??

Personally, my gear is black and blue, I have worn a high viz jacket a few times in particularly bad weather (rain / poor visibility) and each time other riders have commented on how much I stood out, so I will continue to wear it when I feel it will be a benefit, I will still assume I am invisible and ride defensively as I know that you still have to "be seen" to be seen.

[Kylie]

9 Kylie - S? - Used

Better make that a M - Used please.

But if you have already ordered an S then thats no bother...

Originally Posted by Kate

There you go, hardly reasoned arguments.

*sigh*

You really don't seem to get it. All we are saying is that wearing hi-vis is your choice.

And its lovely that you could get your instructore to write his opinion. But thats all it is, its his opinion. I have had 3 different instructors, 2 out of the 3 said they wore hi-vis because the H&S rules require it when teaching but when riding on the road themselves, they don't bother. I have ridden with an advanced rider, he doesn't bother wearing it either. I think that says it all.

IMO wearing hi-vis doesn't make you safer, in fact I would say it can give a false sense of security, that because someone is wearing hi-vis they are assuming they can be seen which is one of the most dangerous attitudes a biker can have.

As I have repeatedly said, its your choice but stop trying to stuff your opinion down other people's throats.

Phew...you two sound like an old married couple.

Yes he could have toned it down a bit but you did accuse him of name calling then you quote out of context. Play fair Kate. What you quoted above isn't name calling it's more like colourful expressionism.

He does have a point which you've avoided so far. You said there are arguments against wearing hi vis so what are they exactly?

Originally Posted by Quedos

Remember what happened the last time!!


Rant over

Thank you

What happened last time?


Was it or did those two end up

Originally Posted by Special Mike

You said there are arguments against wearing hi vis so what are they exactly?

Cost - not much, but still more expensive than not wearing any.

More layers = it can restrict movement.

Increases the amount of time taken putting on/taking off leathers.

If you get a big zip up one, it can make you rather sweaty.

If you get a lightweight velcro one, they tend to come undone and flap around distracting both yourself and other road users.

Looks "a bit rubbish".

False sense of security.

Even if you are more visible, this isn't always desirable (scamera partnerships, police, etc.)

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

Cost - not much, but still more expensive than not wearing any.

More layers = it can restrict movement.

Increases the amount of time taken putting on/taking off leathers.

If you get a big zip up one, it can make you rather sweaty.

If you get a lightweight velcro one, they tend to come undone and flap around distracting both yourself and other road users.

Looks "a bit rubbish".

False sense of security.

Even if you are more visible, this isn't always desirable (scamera partnerships, police, etc.)

You let Kate off the hook there ma man.

I wear Hi-Vis when the light begins to get poor, I've read all the discussion Pro's and Cons but I've one pro to add - Wearing it makes my wife worry a little less.

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

Cost - not much, but still more expensive than not wearing any.

More layers = it can restrict movement.

Never had a problem with that.

Increases the amount of time taken putting on/taking off leathers.

Mine used to just live on the outside of my Codura jacket, time taken to put on = zero

If you get a big zip up one, it can make you rather sweaty.

Never had this problem, as either wore it with leathers (sweaty enough as it is) or Cordura (normally worn when raining or freezing cold)

If you get a lightweight velcro one, they tend to come undone and flap around distracting both yourself and other road users.

Don't buy a velcro one. Simple.

Looks "a bit rubbish".

It is coming up for winter. Who cares? I'm going to be looking like a whale anyway with all the layers trying to keep me warm.

False sense of security.

For maybe a day. If you wear it every day, not really. Just becomes part of the background noise compared to getting to work.

Even if you are more visible, this isn't always desirable (scamera partnerships, police, etc.)

Never had a problems with being more visible, but then riding a somewhat loud bright yellow SV last winter sort of meant I was fairly visible to the police etc. And they never pulled me.

My opinion - if you ride a naked bike it may make a difference when on the bike, sports bike probably not due to riding position. I had my accident on said SV while wearing mine, first thing the girl said - "oh I didn't see you". Will probably get another ex police one as they are mostly waterproof (they leak a bit round the zip in really heavy rain), don't flap too badly and are useful when you stop the bike and get off. And they are windproof so you don't get quite as cold. I normally only wear mine in the winter, I keep a small lightweight hi-vis vest under the seat in case of breakdowns (the kwak seat being cavernous compared to the SV).

[Tigerrrr.......]

Quote from Kate:

"*sigh*

You really don't seem to get it."



- That's so rude, Kate. Do you have to be so patronising? Think you need to grow up.

Originally Posted by Tigerrrr.......

Quote from Kate:

"*sigh*

You really don't seem to get it."



- That's so rude, Kate. Do you have to be so patronising? Think you need to grow up.

I'm not going to continue arguing with you as there seems very little point. If you wish to say anything further to me, just PM me.