Hi-Vis or Not

For this winter I'm painting my Sv white, with Rossi-esque yellow, wearing black leather, white helmet and hi- viz jacket. Do you think the blue LEDs will be overkill?

Originally Posted by Stu

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

I too would be up for one of these Stu. Size wise, I think a Large would be in order for my frame (6ft2" and 46" chest!)

I don't wear it and just assume that nobody sees me when I'm out. I'm sure it does give a visibility advantage in some circumstances, though it's easy to get lulled into a false sense of security and believe that everyone can see you because you have hi-vis. Many of them aren't looking at all, so hi-vis is no advantage.

[Tigerrrr.......]

A poor argument, SVeeeedy.

If you assume nobody sees you, you'd never go out in traffic as you'd constantly get knocked off.

And surely, just that one time in a hundred, that driver will see you and avoid you.

In my opinion there's an awful lot of positives to wearing high viz outweighing the odd dubious (and arguable) negative.

Be safer, be seen.

[21QUEST]

Originally Posted by Tigerrrr.......

A poor argument, SVeeeedy.

If you assume nobody sees you, you'd never go out in traffic as you'd constantly get knocked off.

And surely, just that one time in a hundred, that driver will see you and avoid you.

In my opinion there's an awful lot of positives to wearing high viz outweighing the odd dubious (and arguable) negative.

Be safer, be seen.

Word!

I don't wear one but most of the arguements against have a lot to do with vanity whatever anyone says(JMO).

Stu, I'll be in once I work what size I want. Any idea when you'll be thinking of ordering? That way gives peeps just thinking a sort of hurry up.

I should even be able to help out with posting out(assumming here that all orders have to go to you initially) so making it an even better deal to everyone all round. I'll PM you in a day or so.

Cheers
Ben

EDIT: I've had one of these for years. Even less I guess

Originally Posted by Tigerrrr.......

And surely, just that one time in a hundred, that driver will see you and avoid you.

In my opinion there's an awful lot of positives to wearing high viz outweighing the odd dubious (and arguable) negative.

Be safer, be seen.

Not one person is saying dont wear it. What we are saying is dont assume its going to get you seen - it really isnt as effective as people think it is. It helps if you come off the bike, but tbh when youre actually on the bike the only people who will see you is those behind [presuming youre not wearing a rucksack]. While that is important, bear in mind those ahead at junctions or in front of you preparing for a lane change wont see it very well.

Nothing to do with vanity 21Quest, simply a case of youre expecting people to see from a distance a jacket over the lights, screen, tank, fairing etc which does make it more difficult to see from the front. I defy you to see anyone on a Pan wearing hi-vis for starters [I cant see my partners hi-vis in my mirrors when hes following me on his] :P.

I can list quite a few people who've been taken out wearing hi-vis. It does not make you any more seen than a light or loud can. Yes it can make a difference, but really you should be riding as if it didnt and being prepared for not being seen.

[Tigerrrr.......]

Originally Posted by lynw

Not one person is saying dont wear it. What we are saying is dont assume its going to get you seen - it really isnt as effective as people think it is. It helps if you come off the bike, but tbh when youre actually on the bike the only people who will see you is those behind [presuming youre not wearing a rucksack]. While that is important, bear in mind those ahead at junctions or in front of you preparing for a lane change wont see it very well.

Nothing to do with vanity 21Quest, simply a case of youre expecting people to see from a distance a jacket over the lights, screen, tank, fairing etc which does make it more difficult to see from the front. I defy you to see anyone on a Pan wearing hi-vis for starters [I cant see my partners hi-vis in my mirrors when hes following me on his] :P.

I can list quite a few people who've been taken out wearing hi-vis. It does not make you any more seen than a light or loud can. Yes it can make a difference, but really you should be riding as if it didnt and being prepared for not being seen.

I can't understand your naivety, and you also contradict yourself.

I do not assume high-viz will get you seen. It only increases the chances.

You state that it isn't as effective as people think it is. So why does every construction worker, railway worker, emergency worker (999 worker), road worker, security staff, airport crew, etc, etc, etc wear high viz if it's not that effective?

You also state that only those behind will see you? Rubbish! It has the same reflective qualities from the front as the back. You never seen the Police on bikes approach you from the front?

I'd argue that the reason non hi-viz wearers don't wear it is everything to do with vanity, especially amongst younger riders. Who wants to look "uncool" with their mates.

In my opinion, you have a very narrow view of what constitutes a sound, safety argument. Put another way, does the chances of being seen increase or decrease by wearing hi-viz?

However, what you wear is up to you.

Originally Posted by SVeeedy Gonzales

so hi-vis is no advantage.

Er...years of research and testing went into the colour contrasts and visibility aspects. They are proven deterrents and lifesavers.

Do you honestly think the cops wear them to blend in. It's complete ******** to say they're no use.

Originally Posted by lynw

it really isnt as effective as people think it is. It helps if you come off the bike, but tbh when youre actually on the bike the only people who will see you is those behind [presuming youre not wearing a rucksack]. While that is important, bear in mind those ahead at junctions or in front of you preparing for a lane change wont see it very well.

I defy you to see anyone on a Pan wearing hi-vis for starters [I cant see my partners hi-vis in my mirrors when hes following me on his] Razz.

I can list quite a few people who've been taken out wearing hi-vis. It does not make you any more seen than a light or loud can. Yes it can make a difference, but really you should be riding as if it didnt and being prepared for not being seen.

Er...how do you know it isn't effective? You trying to tell us that its more effective to wear something low vis??? Utter crap. If you've got evidence to show it isn't effective then bring it forward so that we can all benefit and prevent injury.

By your statement above I'm particularly interested by how it only helps when you come off the bike. What if you're in a field or a bush with no light shining on you?

You telling us here that we can only see a biker in Hi Vis if its in front of us? Last time I looked in my mirrors I could see bikers in hi vis no problem. I've worn hi vis and I can tell you for an absolute fact that I get noticed at junctions by drivers making a turn.

You defy anyone wearing hi vis on a Pan to be seen for starters??? ********! So the police don't ride pans anymore. Riding instructors don't ride pans? I have no problems seeing anyone in hi vis be it on a pan or a scooter. If you can't see your BF behind you wearing his then maybe you should use your mirrors more effectively - it could be another pan. Anytime I've been out riding with a friend behind me I make a point of knowing the bike and the colors so I know no other rider has moved in front of him or her.

Sorry but I have never read such irresponsible comments on this forum.

LOL, guys chill! At no point has Lynw said 'don't wear hi-vis'. If you want more information, this topic comes up every year as autumn approaches.

I believe statistically speaking (read it last year in some bike mag), wearing hi-vis doesn't make you safer, nor decrease the chances of having an accident.

If you want to wear hi-vis then please do so, I personally don't as I don't see any value in them. And no, its not because of vanity as some suggest. I wear Rukka gear, hardly the best for the fashion conscious (but excellent for protection). Either from behind or in front, if a driver has missed the bike, lights, noise of exhaust etc, then I don't think wearing hi-vis would make a slightest difference. I know when I look in the mirrors and see a bike behind me, I certainly don't see hi-vis thats for sure.

And telling people not to ride as if you are invisible is quite frankly irresponsible. I've been hit on more than one occasion and each time I've had 'sorry lurve, didn't see you'.

At the end of the day, there are arguments for and against wearing hi-vis. Its your choice.