I Hate High Vis, But Should I Wear It?

[@gcn]

What are your thoughts on high-vis? 🦺

[@DarkpowderUK]

No because it only works with ambient street lighting usually. Dipped headlights on cars won't reveal you fast enough. It's often used to justify not using daylight running lights or using decent reflective tech on moving arms, feet etc

[@gcn]

​@@DarkpowderUK Great points, have you started using reflective clothing to make yourself more visible?

[@jamiejohnboyd]

I usually cycle with a backpack so have a bag cover which is high vis (for daytime) on one side and retroreflective (for night) on the other. Having been hit by a few cars before using it and not once since, hope it's helping. It's not making things worse in any case

[@calmprn7165]

I like those completely reflective hoodies , they really stand out and look cool

[@champio517]

I find it infuriating that cyclists have to take so steps just to not be hit by people in cars and trucks. We shouldn't have to bet our lives on dangerous drivers noticing a bit of color.

[@connorparadis4804]

The best advice I ever received: NEVER give someone in a car *almost* enough room to pass you. Almost everyone is willing to hurt you “accidentally”, but very very few will hurt you on purpose (as they will have to suffer the legal consequences). Most accidents are indeed the second option discussed (saw the cyclist, but not patient enough to maneuver successfully)

[@joystation1]

Totally agree. Ride close to the pavement / sidewalk and drivers will close pass you, ride more toward the middle of the road and drivers will wait behind you then pass on the other side of the road ! You have to choose the right moment you take up this position and it does take some balls to stay that far out in the road.

[@grumbazor]

@@joystation1 true. but its the only choice. Only very few drivers want to scratch their car.

[@BC-wj8fx]

In all my cycling I only recall once that an overtake put me at risk. Pretty much always it is 1) drivers swerving into the cycle lane, 2) pulling out into the road without looking, 3) blowing through stop signs and red lights. I had one driver pass me 3 times in the space of a few minutes, with my fluoro-reflective clothing and flashing lights. Then the 3rd time they passed me they immediately started drifting half over the cycle lane. They drifted in and out of the cycle lane a few times until I came up beside him at 45kp and knocked on his window. He suddenly yanked the car back into the driving lane. What the hell is wrong with some people? How do they remember to breathe?

[@MichaelWerner-sr2pv]

Yes. There's either room the next lane to pass, or there's no room to pass. Simply to the math with 0.5m to the side, cyclist 1m, and 1.5m distance. (Sucks living in Germany where you get some hate for that, but I prefer hate to close passes)

[@SonnyDarvish]

I became a lot more defensive and block the whole lane if I fear the driver might think they can squeeze in. Worked well so far.

[@andymoss4285]

I really like these longer form, journalism type pieces. It’s not just some of the cuff random thoughts. It’s considered, researched, and well delivered.

[@compedium]

This will probably get buried but I make some high viz / reflective triangles that go on the back of a bike seat to make you much more visible to cars from behind. Search for Visto Cycling if you're interested.

[@jabehauber]

I wear hiviz regularly when I ride- not over the top, but bright jersey and tights with high viz accents. I was out on a route and had a utility worker in his van go out of his way to flag me down at a traffic light and THANK ME for wearing it. He said so many riders wear black or dark colors and for him they blend into the scenery, especially with the restricted vision and size of his vehicle. I popped right out, and it made his day just a bit less stressful.

[@TheSmiddy]

Exactly! I commute on a motorbike and ever since I committed to wearing hi-vis on every ride the amount of drivers actively trying to kill me has dropped significantly.

[@questgivercyradis8462]

I've gotten thankful motorists too. We have a lot of no-vis cyclists in the area, so "riding like a carnival" makes me less troublesome.

[@peterhartmann6545]

Part of my commute is over a humped back bridge it is single carriage way its hard enough to see cars coming towards me .Cyclists are taller but natural road position can hide them against a tall dark hedge especially in dark clothing. The next part of the route a country lane with hedges , I noticed I can see orange fluro at least 20yds earlier than yellow . And yes reflective strips on lower legs makes seeing Cyclists so much easier.

[@TheSmiddy]

@@xt5181 obviously it's still the negligent parties fault in an accident and encouraging high vis may seem a bit victim blamey but it doesn't matter if you're right when you're dead right.

[@madmike4622]

@@xt5181 Why not have both lights and wear high viz?

[@blueguitar4419]

You are missing a couple things: 1. The hierarchy of safety controls in order: elimination of the hazard (remove cars from cycling areas), substitution of the hazard with a lesser hazard (make cars smaller and with better bumpers), engineering controls (protected bicycle lanes), administrative controls (speed limits for example), and PPE. 2. PPE is the least effective of the controls, but like the good lady said, you should still use helmets and vests because safety is everyone’s responsibility including your own.

[@stephaniethompson469]

I would also say engineering of the road environment where traffic must be mixed is an important consideration- ie. Suburban streets (or laneways in CBDs used for deliveries that are mixed with cycling traffic) should be engineered in a way that forces cars to move slower.

[@idkwhatimdoing1713]

this is an amazing point

[@dominik262]

Can GCN pin this comment?

[@johnluth1812]

Great video. Today on my commute home, a driver stopped to tell me that my rear flashing seatpost light was mostly obscured by my rack bag. I thanked him and, I've figured out a better placement. Stay safe everyone!

[@holyfool214]

i think seatpost lights are problematic. in the winter, in addition, your coat may hang over it. As a commuter, i find that a rear light on the rack is a must to feel half-ways visible at night. In the winter i also use flashing battery-driven xmas, wire lamps draped along the frame.

[@TravisBrodie]

I ride, (and drive) with the mentality that no one can see me.

[@kamehito]

Do you even bother getting dressed then on a hot day? 🤔

[@scottjones9362]

Do you pick your nose because they can't see you?

[@pansatsujin]

And I take a step further and assume that every driver wants to hit me. Just to be on the safe side😅

[@joystation1]

It's true that the moment you swing a leg over your bike you become invisible to drivers.

[@jkmacie]

I had a hi Vis jacket and strobes. A very elderly motorist still took me out on a roundabout.

[@galenkehler]

Prof Wood does highlight an important factor of conspicuity, that we only see things well in the center of our vision. This is why it's important to take the lane. Being out in in center of the driver's vision is much safer, and since they have to go around you anyway, it's no hardship. I see a lot of cyclists hugging the edge of the road and trying to make themselves small in the gutter. This also encourages drivers to close pass so a double issue.

[@babybirdhome]

This obviously doesn’t help for the third type of collision - the ones where they saw you and that’s _why_ they hit you. But otherwise, yes.

[@JustSayNotoGravel]

'hugging the edge of the road'. And then hugging parked cars, putting themselves doubly at risk

[@patrickoppel850]

Unfortunately hugging the side of the road is sometimes what council and drivers expect you to do when they put a "cycling" lane right between parked cars and traffic. Definitely needs more work on local government level to improve this, because mostly if you have space for that you have space for a dedicated cycling lane

[@steverhysjenks]

I agree with cycling being my primary means of transport and having a motorbike licence.... lane positioning is very important. Its easier for me as I use cargo bike so its generally bigger.

[@StoicTheGeek]

@@patrickoppel850my wife did cycling training with City of Sydney and they were coached to take the centre of the lane. (Their three key principles were “be visible”, “be predictable”, and one other I can’t recall)

[@chriscenci6200]

Bike Lights #1 - makes you visible from a much farther distance. I like the idea of high vis/reflectivity on ankles (moving parts).

[@saxon1376]

No they don’t

[@grumbazor]

Good lights at a correct settings. Dont be a blinder and dont just light up your front wheel. Some reflective stripes on ankles and wrists. Works very well for me. Those who dont want to see you dont care for high vis anyway.

[@kooooons]

That's wrong actually. Retro-reflective surfaces can be seen by a car's driver from miles away when hit by their headlights. Your flimsy little bike light won't be visible that far.

[@grumbazor]

@@kooooons a bike llight is visible even if you dont have car grade lights on your vehicle or when you are outside the beam. Driving at night without or with blinding lights is a sign that an asshole is riding the bike.

[@nredsa]

@@kooooons they both work in the range that it is important. nobody is going to hit you from miles away.

[@smefour]

Reflectors on flat pedals now make a hell of a lot more sense with this information

[@ditch3827]

It is also a legal requirement under Schedule 20 of The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989

[@miyounova]

​@@ditch3827 ...in what country??

[@ditch3827]

@@miyounova The UK. The country where the bike was was being ridden.

[@JonMunden447]

@@ditch3827it is a requirement however I can’t actually find any circumstances of someone being stopped for it, and having asked a policeman friend they have said they would never stop someone for it as almost every clip in pedal would be considered “illegal” and it’d set a precedent of 99% of road cyclists being pulled over

[@Korina42]

Have you seen Arclights from Redshift? They're pedals with lights where the reflectors go; and no matter which side you use, the front light is white and the rear light is red. I highly recommend them for folks who ride at night a lot.

[@safehands8889]

I'd suggest using retro-reflective tape on the cranks if you regularly ride at night. Just on one side of each crank arm, it's always moving and flashing the light back at the driver

[@prophetzarquon1922]

I didn't try that, thinking they'd peel off; but the strips I did add have lasted so well that I should have tried the cranks & a lot of other places I wasn't confident would work. I put them all over my helmet, & wear a vest with retroreflective strips. I have had people thank me explicitly for making myself more visible.

[@safehands8889]

Mine have survived TCR and a long British winter. I didn't add any to my helmet as they are designed to skid in an accident i believe. @@prophetzarquon1922

[@MentalEdge]

I put a half circle of tape on my rims, so instead of a solid full circle like on some tires, it's a spinning half circle.

[@safehands8889]

@@MentalEdge That is a great idea with the half a circle. if it's continuous, it is less noticeable, while the half must appear like a flashing light.

[@hollylockhart9423]

​@@MentalEdge love this idea. I have alternating coloured stickers on my wheels but it would save on material and set up time to do a half circle.

[@lwittrock1]

In all my years of cycling, what I've noticed is that drivers being distracted was by far the #1 reason for collisions and near misses. I also drive the fwy's 55 miles one way every day and can tell you the number of drivers on their phones has grown exponentially over the years. The number of accidents I've witnessed is horrific. I do agree that fluorescent and reflective gear is very helpful. you also have to be very aware of traffic.

[@marklamourine3130]

Which is not to day :I hide on the siding". Any time I need to be seen I make sure I am. Turning, passing right turns, if lanes are narrow. I shoulder check (turn my head) frequently even if nothing is there. I don't know but it seems it's another "human" movement that will catch driver's eyes.

[@BabyBooHoot]

Make phone s out of hi vis .......!!

[@ev-ezaye3580]

​@@BabyBooHootNah. Wouldn't change a thing! What would is the Handy being locked-out once motion is detected, so the only thing you can do is receive calls! Yes - before anyone objects, you should set your playlist or anything you wish to enjoy (media) before hand then the lockout will only prevent interaction with the cellphone, but you definitely can control the media through the vehicle's infotainment system!

[@AtomikNY]

@@ev-ezaye3580 But then you'd need an additional override system to allow people to use their phones when they're a passenger in a car, bus, or train. And I don't know how you design such an override that drivers aren't going to be able to exploit.

[@leangrypoulet7523]

It's ever easier to be distracted. As you say, by the tech we are now surrounded by, but also by the vehicles themselves. It's so easy and comfortable to drive these days. A/C, heater, unbelievable sound insulation, music, driver aids and Sat Nav doing half the work for you. Most people don't actively drive, they sit in a bubble, wonderfully cocooned, lost to their favourite podcast, switched off to anything outside their car. I drive an old Defender. It's uncomfortable, it's cold/hot, it rattles, it whistles, it has no driver aides or sat nav, I can barely hear the radio. But I bloody well know I'm driving the thing and have to actively do so. At no moment am I caught in some soporific stupor.

[@Jboasman78]

Infrastructure is key, PPE is always the last resort. Very interesting regarding reflective / hi-viz difference

[@larrylem3582]

This is good to note. FYI for GCN, in just about any technical, large industrial organization, all employees must undergo annual safety training where we are all taught that PPE is the last resort.

[@markrskinner]

Yep. Infrastructure solves all the problems that PPE never will.

[@DaigoroToyama]

Very well said.

[@timdowney6721]

I agree, proper infrastructure is the best protection. But, in most places in the US, it is at best decades away. So, when I get on my bike tomorrow, the only option is PPE.

[@timdowney6721]

@@markrskinner All you have to do is wait decades for it. What about the interim?

[@drwatsonpe]

The comment about the fact that thousands of drivers have passed me without hitting me, while 3 have in the last 20 years, really struck home. The 3 who hit me definitely "did not see me" (in their words), but more than likely, they weren't "looking for me" (expecting me). I do believe that wearing reflective elements on my feet would improve side and rear visibility, but oddly, all 3 of the drivers who hit me were approaching from head on, not from behind or from the side. Each turned either in front of me or into me from the side. I suspect these drivers were looking for approaching cars and not focused on potential cyclists.

[@TerraNova1967]

"Did not see me" is not correct and is instant deflection of their culpability. They try to infer you were momentarily invisible. "Not looking properly/ not paying attention to the road sufficiently" is the correct terminology they should use.

[@prestachuck2867]

They saw you. They saw you and thought “he is on a bicycle, so he can’t be going more than five mph…I will easily turn across before he gets there”. Then when they hit you, they’d rather say that they didn’t see you (inferring that it’s your fault for not being visible enough), than admit to their own poor judgement.

[@laurah108]

I was riding along a cycle path when a car came out of a side-road and clipped me. I was the only 'vehicle' around and was wearing hi-vis with flashing lights. I had to conclude that, like you say, she wasn't looking for me, she was looking for cars. It was a scary realisation! I have to say though, the cycle path was new at the time. I felt that drivers got better anticipating cyclists once they got used to the cycle lane being there.

[@geoffking2425]

I had one really bad crash and concur with you. The lorry driver said he didn't see me and as he immediately admitted liability to the police, I have no reason to dispute what he said. I suspect that he was looking for a gap in the traffic and was looking for cars, lorries etc and his mind simply didn't see me and my bicycle. Prior to this, I was always of the opinion that drivers who said they didn't see you, were actually covering up for failing to drive safely but this incident changed my mind. I thought this video would bore me but I was really engaged, especially realising that visibility of moving parts is the important thing i.e. a hi viz jacket isn't necessarily the best clothing choice and maybe my hi viz socks I sometimes where are actually helping

[@justinclayton3022]

Guy i my office pulled out in front of me coming out of work. Asked him morning after and he said he did not see me. I checked the location & realised a set of railings would block view & there were a load of distracting lights behind where I would have been. I started putting a forward facing light on my helmet.

[@MrSJR39]

Great video, nice to know the science backs up what I’ve been doing for years - fluorescent in the day, reflective at night and use road positioning to enhance conspicuousness. Yesterday I was out riding on a typical grey UK winters day and saw a rider up ahead coming towards me in bright orange. He was easy to spot a long way into the distance, but as we got closer to each other I became aware of a tiny flashing white light alongside him. It was only when we were virtually passing each other that I was able to see his companion who was dressed all in black.

[@JustSayNotoGravel]

'It was only when we were virtually passing each other that I was able to see his companion who was dressed all in black.' Sadly that's all too common

[@obertan85]

This whole thing goes for runners as well, which I am. Saw a lady on the way to work the other morning on a busy and very wet and muddy country road that is heavily used in the morning by commuters and for school runs, out at school run time in the morning, dressed in black leggings and a dark brown top. She was practically camouflaged.

[@brendonsmith5029]

Saw a retro-reflective jacket running down my street the other night, took a few seconds before I saw the rest of him and nearly didn't see his friend dressed in black if it weren't for his shoes. Great points and another great video.

[@pedroclaro7822]

Black is the worst color at night. Daytime and nighttime color visibility varies tremendously

[@aidanbyrne5561]

I wear a pure white Aran jumper in cold weather. Makes me look like a sheep but works extremely well and has better ventilation.

[@88marome]

Brown and red are even worse than black at night.

[@stevevarga8621]

Thank you for this piece on Hi Viz. As a board member of our local club, I felt I had a responsibility to make our kits safe as well as attractive for our membership. I analyzed the hi viz situation carefully and I came to the conclusion that you can make kits very visible with just a few carefully placed hi viz accents. I will reveal my secrets for free. 1) Hi vis sleeves are amazing for frontal visibility. 2) Make the rear pocket panels hi viz. That is the most visible portion of a cyclist from the back. Thats it! Wearing a hi viz helmet and shoes is a great addition to the look. You can use whatever colour you want in between but by using hi viz in these key locations you can be both stylish and safe at the same time. PS: GCN could make there kits a lot safer by using these techniques.

[@petervisser853]

Being a cyclist and a driver I definitely wear a High vis / reflective jacket when Im cycling to work on dark country lanes. Most Dutch people do and as a driver I notice those cyclists way sooner then if they were to wear a regular jacket. Best thing is to seperate cyclists from heavy/fast traffic in the first place. Therefore infrastructure is the place where most progress can be made in my view.

[@gcn]

Infrastructure will help massively 🙌 We can all do our bit to lobby our local cycling groups 👉kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaTWpoN8p9lsY68

[@petervisser853]

Additionally, in the Netherlands cyclists and pedestrians are protected by law meaning that if an accident happens the motorist is always to blame. The idea behind this is that for operating a motor vehicle you are to be held to a standard (driving licence) where as human powered traffic is a fundamental right and not all can be expected to know and follow all the rules (children) and if you do have a mishap on a bike the damage caused is way smaller then when operating a 2 tonne vehicles.

[@ivanmolinat1974]

Bueno, yo intento manejar mi bicicleta en Panamá, donde son pocas las vías para bicicletas, pasa de todo, los carros te pasan y luego se cruzan en el camino o simplemente para pasarte aceleran y se alejan unos centímetros de la bicicleta, te tocan la bocina del carro de forma desesperante que aturde, ya últimamente he optado por desistir ya que se cansa uno de ser siempre quien lleva las de perder. Y peor es que se ha vuelto común que luego de chocar a los ciclistas, los infractores se dan a la fuga y no siempre la policía logra detenerlos... En fin, que envidia ese aspecto de Europa. Saludos y gracias por el video, buscaré más reflectivos para cuando vaya a rodar 🙌

[@Judewilkinsonjfk]

Yes, definitely. No amount of high vis will convince particularly women and older people to ride where it's perceived to be unsafe.

[@moaningpheromones]

As long as removing bikes from roads doesn't relegate them to pedestrian status. Well - it usually does exactly that.

[@mmoaot]

When my eyes naturally moved from Si to the fellow in the orange hi-vis in the background at about 13:15, the point was made for me.

[@gingerphil]

Same thing happened to me, proof that bright colours work in daytime. 👍 I wear a similar orange jacket when riding to work as it's a part of my company's uniform. In my own time I wear a yellow fluorescent jacket. 💛 At night I rely on lights, my tyres reflective sidewalls and some reflective strips I've stuck on parts of the frame and wheels. If anyone hits me at least I've tried my best. 😊

[@lazylonewolf]

It suddenly occured to me if high-vis works just as well if, imagine, a road filled with cyclists, and literally every cyclist is wearing them. Even with different colors, I think the vivid colors will start blending similar to a "zebra-stripes" effect. 🤔

[@gingerphil]

@lazylonewolf I drove past two people jogging this morning, they were heading towards me and one was dressed mostly in black and the other guy had a fluorescent yellow top on. In the distance (and it was daytime) my eyes were drawn to the guy in the yellow top first even though they were side by side. If they had both been wearing yellow tops even better. I don't know the science behind it but I guess humans can detect brighter colours further away as darker colours will just blend into the background. It was a rainy miserable morning here so that's why I didn't see the chap in dark clothing quite so easily.

[@lazylonewolf]

@@gingerphil Oh sorry I should've been clear. I was imagining like, a whole road full of cyclists wearing fluro. Every one of them is wearing high-vis in different colors They're visible I guess, but I'm thinking one's eyes gets tired from looking at them and they sorta blend together, and there might be some sort of "zebra" effect, causing the viewer to not see _individual_ cyclists. We'll probably never find out since it'll never happen, just something interesting to think about. 🤷‍♀

[@mmoaot]

@@lazylonewolfIf the road was absolutely packed with cyclists, I suppose so - but I could only imagine that happening with the kind of dedicated cycling infra that I think we'd all prefer to mixing with automobile traffic. 🙂

[@principalcahirboysns2375]

Well done on this video, back to your roots, so to speak. This is essential to keep non-competitive, commuter style cyclists on board. The pressure is back on to get these videos stronger on KZbin since the loss of GCN+. More of this material please.

[@markjlewis]

A couple of nights ago I was on the way home along a stretch of the A48 between Newport and Cardiff. I passed a cyclist that was lit up like a Christmas tree with very bright rear lights and was wearing a high vis vest with reflective stripes. I saw her/him/them from a long distance away and was able to pull into the outside lane and give plenty of room. A few hundred metres further along was a cyclist dressed all in black, no lights and the only reflectors were those on the pedals. The car I was driving is less than six months old and has very bright LED headlamps so I saw this cyclist in time but only just. I am a cyclist myself and I never go out day or night without lights and reflective hi-viz. As a driver I appreciate cyclists that make an effort to be seen. As a cyclist I think that other cyclists that dress like ninjas have a death wish.

[@MrSGL21]

"lit up like a Christmas tree" i thought only us americans used that one. i wonder which one of us came up with it 1st.

[@larrylem3582]

I had to Google "retro-reflective". Retro reflective material is made using tiny glass beads which reflect light directly back toward its source, from a much wider angle than reflective material.

[@clonkex]

It's what they use in reflectors on, in and next to roads.

[@Pratalax]

don't always need glass beads - just 3 mirrors arranged in perpendicular angles so as to make the inside corner of a room. try making your own, it's fun! with just 2 large mirrors arranged at 90 degrees in the corner of a room, you'll notice you can look into your own eyes from anywhere in the room. the glass beads just happen to be effective at creating lots of tiny versions of this arrangement of mirrors.

[@jayziac]

And to add to the point of motion in the video, put reflective tape along the crank, or rims area to really catch other's eyes at night.

[@smcdonough1427]

I actually love hi-vis. I'm a big fan of that fluorescent yellow color. I always wear a hi vis jacket or jersey when cycling on busy roads. I commute to work in the dark so i do everything I can to light myself up. Hi vis jacket, reflective bits on my pants, reflective side walls on my tires, three lights on my bike, reflective bits on my bag. I like to think I'm essentially glowing out there, but who knows

[@tconnolly9820]

I switched from a yellow hi-vis to an orange hi-vis after watching a group of workmen wearing both from about half a kilometre distance on a grey dull day. All of the workmen wearing the orange vests were much more noticeable than those wearing yellow. That convinced me to switch. Also, a really bright flashing light always day and night and a separate constant high beam at night. And two very bright 200 lumens flashing lights behind. The numbers of cyclists who have either no or just very poor sh1te lights on their bikes is very disappointing. Also a helmet with a red light on the back and hi-vis bands on my trouser or jeans leg bottoms for that eye catching up and down movement. And good mirrors on each handlebar are vital safety features too as far as I'm concerned, And cycle defensively. You may be legally dead right in a situation but that doesn't mean you won't end up just being dead. Keep reading the road. Sometimes it's better to give way even though you may have right of way.

[@eeeckful]

⁠​⁠@@tconnolly9820I‘d be careful with the bright tail lights. When they are blinding drivers, nothing is won, rather contrary.

[@MichaelSnasdell]

@@tconnolly9820 I do the same when I am out on the bike or in the car. See what I can see from a distance, see what seems to work best in the real world environment I ride in, and adjust accordingly. Nothing wrong with being visible. I really don't get why some people get so angry about it. Its a personal choice.

[@fepatton]

I used to ride a motorcycle, and always wore an Aerostich suit in "ultra hi viz lime yellow". I walked into our break room wearing it one day, and blind coworker (like guide dog and Braille monitor blind) turned to me and said, "Now THAT is a bright outfit!" I would also see drivers' eyes wandering and then suddenly react when they saw me. So yeah, I'll wear hi-viz lime yellow jerseys and jackets every time. I also have pulsing lights front and back. While the plural of anecdote is not data, I personally know of enough instances where the helmet helped and the lack one hurt that I will never ride a bike or motorcycle without one. (Even _Evel Knievel_ refused to ride a motorcycle without a helmet!) If you _engage in riskier behavior_ because you think that you're super visible or protected, well that's just stupid. You're only one inattentive driver away from being smashed. So you might as well ride defensively, protect your brain, and make yourself as visible as possible!

[@christopherroberts4254]

This was a really great video. I liked your attention to both sides and really poking at the underlying problem. As a big man myself, I would point at another problem in the cycling world. Most clothing produced for cyclists, including hi-vis, is made for someone of the more fit/thin persuasion, which puts those of us who love to bike but don't fit the "normal" in a tough spot for finding and employing all the tools at our disposal for our own safety.

[@toddflanagan7707]

I’m with you, brother. You are not alone.

[@mikepipes6266]

Hi-vis and conspicuity/reflective clothing is widely available outside of cycling retail. Hardware vendors have vests, jackets, shirts, wrist/ankle cuffs etc. for construction workers that run the full range of sizes.

[@johnhatfield1070]

Builders and Fat boy Bouncers all wear Hi viz Jackets and let’s face it, some of them would put Billy Bunter to shame………. It’s a myth you need Rapha and Castelli to cycle in.

[@KellyS_77]

Construction worker clothes are often also hivis and reflective. If you don’t mind items that are not sport specific. Hunting clothes usually have bright orange as an option too.

[@Korina42]

My helmet is hi-vis yellow. And as others have said, you don't have to stick with overpriced "cyclist" clothing; if I'm riding on the street I'll wear a hi-viz vest I got from the dollar store.

[@jamesbell5977]

Great topic Si. I've studied this and seen talks that have championed the idea of only needing retroreflective strips on knees/ankles at night, but the research makes a couple of significant assumptions: Firstly, it assumes that a driver can see you long enough to register the moving parts of your body. I commute daily on a busy road and the scariest parts of my commute are road corners, where fast cars will only be able to see me for a couple of seconds. The moment I come into view for those cars, I want them to see a great big blob of reflection, not just a few small strips around my legs. Secondly, it assumes drivers have a full-field view of the road. Cars have A-pillar blind spots and sometimes other things like stick-on hands free sets etc. The larger the area of your body that you're reflecting from, the better chance you're not getting covered by a blind spot. The problem with popular interpretation of research is that if there *isn't* a significant effect, people assume there's no effect at all. Credit to the prof who mentions this. To meet statistical significance you need to produce statistics that show to at least 95% confidence that an intervention is better than doing nothing, and when accounting for things like drunk/careless drivers that were going to crash into you regardless, for a phenomenon that (thankfully) is relatively rare, this is extremely challenging to do. It's misleading to even hint that hi-vis for instance makes no or even little difference, all we can say as scientists is that there are no studies to date that have demonstrated a statistically significant effect. All my jerseys and jackets are hi-vis and retroreflective. I also use bright lights at night and bib tights with the retroreflective strips, which I think gives me the best chance of being seen and avoided by traffic. I wish it was possible to get higher-end gear in hi-vis with retroreflective features.

[@albertoborboncastro8513]

Thank you so much GCN for this video: Yes, it it not all up to us, car drivers can get distracted, but as cyclists we must do whatever we can to avoid being injured while riding. I will definitely remember these ideas when buying my next cycling clothing. Cheers!

[@leissp1]

Thanks for this vlog. I have ridden and commuted for over 50 years. I have had collisions with vehicle drivers 5 times during that time. Most of these were in the seventies and eighties. Probably a combination of youthful exuberance, taking risks and some drivers taking offence to anyone on two wheels. I have observed that often drivers see you but do not recognize that you are road user as well. Motorcyclists also have this issue. I use bright clothing when I can and reflective materials and lights at night. I also assume that I am not seen and ride accordingly. Along with being seen riding predictably and indicating what you are intending to do is very helpful in interacting with drivers. Be careful and we will all get home.

[@simonkennedy2465]

Never mentioned in these studies is subconscious calculation. Drivers calculate self harm chances. Will the other vehicle kill me? Two wheelers are bottom of the fear hierarchy and are deprioritised accordingly. in complex road systems this explains a lot. Bikes just fall off the low end of attention, fluro or non fluro

[@jasond.8281]

When driving in my area (Seattle) I watch other cyclist dissapear in the shadows of the very tall trees we have here, even in the brightest days of summer. For that reason I always ride with bright colors and high quality flashing rear lights. On tour I actually got a comment when I reached the destination from a motorist who had passed me, telling me how effective the light had been at alert them of my presence.

[@gcn]

how cool is that, it sounds like the driver was very impressed by the light!

[@gcn]

That's awesome! Great to hear that drivers have given you feedback 🙌

[@jasond.8281]

@gcn The Cygolite Hotshot Pro is an amazing light.

[@bleckb]

We really can blend into the background in ways that clothing won't help make us more visible, which is why I always ride with a blinking or pulsing front light and a flashing rear light.

[@amandajane8227]

I have had the same experiences here in Australia. Watching a black clad cyclist on a black bike disappear in the shade of trees on a sunny day. And a thank you from a driver for being highly visible on my bike.

[@macmurfy2jka]

Good tips on highlighting the movement. I have found that when driving at night, retro reflective hits on the pedal and cranks are usually the first thing I see on a cyclist if they aren’t using blinky lights

[@szszg]

I live in the western part of Ireland, in a fairly rural area, and the roads are used by quite a few pedestrians and cyclists. It's a significant help to drivers when they wear high-visibility clothing, and I would like to sincerely thank everyone who does so. I myself often wear high-vis when walking or cycling. It's definitely an appreciable gesture, it helps a lot in spotting road users. Although I'm not color blind, I confuse red, green, and brown, and I might not identify a pedestrian in dark clothing under a tree's shade as quickly as someone wearing bright colors. From a greater distance, even 500-1000 meters away, it's much easier to spot someone in high-vis, especially when I'm moving in sunlight and they're in a shady area, giving me plenty of time to prepare for traffic situations. So yes, it's worth wearing high-vis outside urban areas at all times.

[@TerraNova1967]

My brother was killed by a man driving an artic lorry in 2007. He was wearing high viz. The driver turned left into him at a traffic light. The defence was solely about blaming him and now I don't want my family in court again if I die and the defence barrister pounce upon the no high viz charge. I've got day kit (high viz and reflective) and night kit (all retro-reflective). I wear the stuff on my ankles and feet to highlight the moving parts. You didn't touch on day time running lights and if they improve conspicuousness. I also use them, front and rear, flashing. Bontrager produced some good info in their leaflets about this, recommending day time flashing lights and high viz moving parts.

[@JustSayNotoGravel]

I'm very sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. I ride; I teach driver awareness of cyclists to HGV drivers and I have been an HGV driver for thirty years. It is deeply saddening to hear of a cyclist dying in those circumstances. Thank you for wearing all the kit and using lights. I do so myself, not merely as a way of managing risk but also as a courtesy to others. As a truck driver it makes a huge difference in terms of helping me to be able to react to the presence of a cyclist in plenty of time. There's nothing worse than realising that the shadow amongst the shadows is in fact a bike.

[@TerraNova1967]

Thanks mate, good to have people like you on the road in charge of those vehicles. We need more HGV drivers taking up cycling,. good awareness for them. @@JustSayNotoGravel

[@markehrlich7534]

Hi-Viz is just proof🧾that cycling is in no way normalized and that nobody in a car gives a 💩 about cyclists. Wearing a safety🦺 vest is just a further marginalization of the cyclist as a person, and makes people in cars want to run you down that much more!😮(...oh, honey, look at this carless loser, in a safety🦺vest😂) It's time to face facts that motorists HATE Cyclists in general and most are not careful of and don't care if they hit you🎯!!😢 And if/when they do, the Law is completely on the motorists side.... "Ma'am, you weren't on your phone 🤳 when you hit that cyclist, were you??" "Ohh No,... Well I was right before, but when I ran him over I was looking right at him!!"🤣...."That's fine, you can go now.... Have a nice day😌" 😅😅... Unless you are a Pro-cyclist, as a recreational/commuter cyclist you will always be treated as a 2nd class citizen whose life has less value than someone in a car... Especially in America 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@grahvis]

Unfortunately, very often, all the onus for their safety is pushed on to the cyclist. One thing I have noticed is the propensity for some to claim if a cyclist is not wearing a helmet, that is evidence they were cycling recklessly.

[@bcnu2516]

I find white coloured helmets are very visible in the daytime. Also don't forget that hi vis is important offroad for mountain bikers too. Helps to avoid trail clashes with walkers and ... bears

[@the.mermaid.scientist]

I get to my closest local trails via road riding. Fortunately most of my way there is on dedicated paths and bike lanes. I have several neon orange and red tops I love wearing on rides😅 But I do need to get some reflective bands or something for my feet/ankles/knees like they discussed. and yes i kept installed all the reflectors my bike came with and purchased a light set.

[@TimR123]

The number one practical thing I took away from this was the point that fluorescent colors are of little value at night. Time to beef up the retroreflective stuff. BTW, keep doing this kind of research/educational stuff in the mix

[@edwardhiggs6686]

One of the best videos GCN has done in a while. Absolutely loved it and learnt so much! :)

[@Stilgarnaibfremen]

This is some of the best content you people at GCN produce! Both safety and cycling life style (cargo bikes, commuting, etc.) videos are a must watch for me, since I can relate so much to it. Also, I found this particular piece some of the best you've put out!

[@patrickwong4824]

Love hi-vis! I have no problem sticking out like a sore thumb. Got my bright yellow Gore-tex rain jacket.

[@iancourts8435]

You may look like Bananaman . . . but at least you are a DRY Bananaman! 🤣👍🍌

[@anthonywalsh2164]

This has to be one of your best videos. Thank you. I don’t wear enough reflective clothing for the crazy drivers of Brisbane. I do have a Garmin rear light radar that is very helpful including increasing the light’s intensity when a vehicle is coming from behind.

[@questgivercyradis8462]

My dad tried to get me to use one of the Garmin rear radar beepers and I hate the "car coming" notifications. I ride by so many cars it would just be screaming at me. If it increases brightness for drivers that's cool though!

[@ridewithmenashville]

@@questgivercyradis8462The radar is definitely not helpful in a busy city, but the lights reaction to the cars behind you is very helpful to drivers recognizing you.

[@238949]

Great video, thanks Simon, I have always tried to wear hi viz during the day and reflective at night, I also always have lights on, day or night. Still have close passes on occasion, and been in a collision using all of the aforementioned gear, driver said "he didn't see me" it has made me more conscious of car drivers but not put me off cycling, love GCN, thanks x

[@gcn]

Thanks for the comment! Sorry to hear about the close pass, we hope it's not put you off riding? 🚴

[@238949]

@@gcn it's made me more cautious but I love cycling, but I realise people are very impatient of other road users however they get from A to B :(

[@davidmundowyahoo7839]

Loved this, have to share with my optician wife who will might appreciate the science of vision being recognised. I'll be getting some reflective stuff for night riding now. The point about wearing it on ankles and knees makes sense, our brains instinctively recognise the motion. One thing not mentioned i think is actively engaging with other road users especially at junctions, try to make (friendly!) eye contact. Also I find a look over the shoulder at traffic behind you often results in better passing by drivers as psychologically they know you know they're there. Its not foolproof but, by definition almost nothing is.

[@ridefree4076]

This was very enlightening, I'll certainly consider adding more stratigic visibility. However, a far greater impact on conspicuity can be had by road positioning. The prof in the video even said it herself: our detail vision is only 2º wide. If you're not in that spot, it will take a lot longer and a lot more high-viz to get noticed. So it's always best to get out from the kerb and into the line of sight. It annoys a few, but they don't want to scratch their car, and if they can't overtake without squeezing through they can't do it legally

[@kennethward9530]

One thing I’ve never understood is winter and foul weather gear for cyclists colored black. Then, more than ever it needs to be bright. One of the better designs I’ve seen has huge reflective chevron on back subtly suggesting drivers move left (US market)

[@MichaelSmith-fg8xh]

Getting flouro/reflective rain gear (and helmet mounted lights) makes it super easy... I'm lit by default

[@woominsong9301]

More videos like this, please! Victim blaming aside, since cyclists bear the brunt of the injury, we need to take on the most responsibility for our safety. It isn’t good to be “dead right”

[@DavideTarasconi]

I have built-in fixed lights in my bike, to which I add blinking lights both in the front and rear, and in the back of my helmet too. Standard reflective pieces both front and rear, on the rims and pedals too. I still don't think it's enough tough and lately I've been putting a reflective band on my calf too. But, to be honest, most drivers are really just watching their smartphones these days so I don't think there's an amount of visibility that guarantees safety for the cyclist either day or night.

[@richardjohnson7563]

I wear a highway worker’s vest while walking and bicycling on the road. Over the years I have noticed that most vehicles, by and large, will give me a wider margin of safety while passing me. With distracted driving so prevalent, it just makes sense. We may have the right of way, but they have the right of weight. Anything you can do, within reason, to be safer is worth it to me.

[@smileychess]

I wear high viz for the same reason I lock my front door. It reduces the odds of catastrophe. I don’t care who blames whom, I have to look out for myself.

[@620Supercomp]

Commuting 16k to work since 2001 - never had a hi-vis-jacket. But bags with reflectives, clothing for bad weather with bright colors, a non-black helmet, and - most important - bright lights

[@Songbirdstress]

As a pedestrian, I don't find high viz vests that useful. I agree it practically makes them worse as they take less care and appear out of nowhere. By far the best is bright clothes and good lights.

[@MrSGL21]

@@Songbirdstress as a driver i can tell you this...if you want to get run over by a car, wear dark clothes. one night a few years ago i was creeping down a dirt road on a delivery. it was a sunday night during football season. suddenly i saw 3 things. A dog leash, some guys calves, and a dogs asshole. that was it. dude was wearing all black shorts and shirt, and the dog was dark brown except around its butthole. guy was drunk as a skunk. i tried to give the fool one of my flash lights so he wouldn't get hit. he wouldn't take it.

[@Songbirdstress]

@@MrSGL21 Yup.

[@andrewseeds1713]

Its also worth mentioning that Yellow Floresense is much more suited to urban areas, wearing the colour of freshly cut grass is not the most visible thing in the countryside when surrounded by fields. (a secondary benefit [in addition to contrast with signals] that rail staff wear orange).

[@gcn]

Interesting point! Do you wear different colours for different rides? 🗺

[@alancooke6630]

I like to wear red during the day. I can't think of any situation where I would blend in with the surroundings

[@dinodaniel2237]

No , problem i ride alongside the team car.

[@bram6070]

​@@alancooke6630 except for the almost 10% of men who are red green colorblind like me ;)

[@Mas421]

@@gcnthere is a reason why railway trackmen or highway workers wearing signal orange, and only rarely signal yellow or green. Regarding visibility, GCN could make a video from motorist‘ s point of view to analyse the difference between signal orange and neon yellow.

[@wrightwoodwork]

During the summer time my brother caught us up 1 evening when I was cycling and he was driving. I had a pair of bright yellow sock he commented on how the yellow socks going up and down actually caught the attention of his vision

[@gcn]

It really does work 🙌

[@wrightwoodwork]

@gcn he thought the movement was far more effective than hi viz jacket which in someway make people look less human and also because you see it so often in other areas of life you at times ignore it . Where the movement of 2 socks going up and down is very distinctive and you can tell its a cyclist before you can fully see the cyclist

[@SpicyTrifongo]

​@@wrightwoodworki hate it when I think I see what I think is human wearing hi vis riding a bike but it's actually a bipedal water buffalo.

[@wrightwoodwork]

@@SpicyTrifongo brilliant

[@Songbirdstress]

Yes, for me it's akin to the excessive beeping sound etc on reversing lorries. it's too much pollution. Rather like when there's an incident in a plane they turn off certain warnings so the pilots can concentrate.

[@Greyum737]

Really well balanced video on a thorny subject. A lot of people readily quote 'famous' pieces of research with population level statistics, but don't delve into the nuance and science. You've managed to do just that in a punchy and concise video. Chapeau!

[@tfrtrouble]

"If high vis worked, people wearing high vis would not get hurt" is a ridiculous oversimplification. Something can be significantly effective without being anything near 100% effective. That's like saying "if seatbelts worked, people wearing seatbelts wouldn't get hurt in car crashes".

[@snapea]

He doesn't mean no-one would get hurt, he states he doesn't rule out it having an effect. What he means if hi-vis was as effective an accident prevention tool as it is made out to be the accident figures would be clear and inarguable, rather than up for debate. That was what was observed with seatbelts

[@tfrtrouble]

@@snapea That may be what he means, but it is not what he said. If you are going to do science communication, you have to be very clear in how you phrase things, and the statement as given is a gross misrepresentation of how safety evaluation works. I actually agree with the overall conclusions of the video; I was just pointing out that that point was very badly phrased. This is a problem because people use exactly that kind of oversimplification to spread misinformation, like arguing that smoking clearly doesn't cause lung cancer because most smokers never get lung cancer and some nonsmokers do. So we shouldn't contribute to the idea that such ridiculous oversimplifications are valid arguments.

[@gs_weiss]

Solid red tail light pointed down. At night you present a glowing pedaling body to cars from the rear instead of a flashing disorientating strobe. It's also easier to judge the speed of an illuminated spot moving along the ground than a blinking point in space.

[@irfuel]

In some countries, flashing lights are forbidden. Germany and The Netherlands, to name a few.

[@gcn]

@irfuel we remember when they were not allowed in the UK too!

[@giftoflife365]

hi vis clothing strips are beneficial indeed.

[@gcn]

Are you wearing them night and day? 🌙

[@giftoflife365]

@@gcn @ dawn and from dusk+

[@paul1340]

I feel as road users it behoves us to help all other road users. If it helps a car driver's ability to see me by my choosing bright and reflective cycling cloths, then why not. An architect wouldn't be allowed on a working building site without a hard hat and a hi-viz vest. You have to ask yourself why. As always with Simon, another great video. Thank you.

[@moaningpheromones]

apples and oranges pal. i'd argue hi-viz on building sites don't reduce nothin.

[@SpicyTrifongo]

​@@moaningpheromonesas somebody who has operated heavy equipment around people on foot, hi vis is incredibly helpful. Especially if there's a lot of mud and foliage.

[@johngannon1]

Thanks Si - it’s great to have an in depth analysis like this. I’ve thought about rider safety a lot based on GCN content. My personal preference now is having flashing lights front and rear whenever riding light or dark. A backpack cover when commuting with reflective stripes. My jerseys also have reflective detail. But my best advice is for riders to adopt primary position in the centre of the lane rather than hi-vis clothing. I’ve personally noticed increasingly better behaviour with the new Highway Code. Be confident and drivers act accordingly. That said, I’m going to have a good think about how reflective my ankle area is. Thanks again

[@wallaby6699]

I'm a full-time driver down under and have come to realise through my own experiences and observations that including all the variables to which account for lack of visibility of obstacles throughout one's trip behind the wheel, in all scenarios the rider/pedestrian is always at risk and should never rely on its rights to cross the intersection, utilise a lane, merge etc. with or without hi-vis, to navigate 100% safely. We have had Auspost trike riders clear as day taken out, at intersections , and they by far wear the most hi-vis. I'm a rider too, and always consider these factors on my rides by positioning my self in the safest and most proficient manner. Even if I'm sacrificing some performance, and giving way to others here and there, it is insignificant to the time off the bike and out of work I would experience!

[@cyrusf.4039]

Have you ever noticed cyclists at night without lights or high-vis? Me neither.

[@JustSayNotoGravel]

I see what you did there. seriously though, Edinburgh is full of them. we call them numpties

[@user-jk2zm7uq5s]

I really like 360° bicycle spoke reflectors. You can't forget them since they are attached to your bike. Your wheels become one big reflective surface when they spin. Also excellent for side visibility. If you get the tube shaped spoke reflectors they also won't fall off so easily.

[@Songbirdstress]

I have those on my bike. They're incredible. Am always surprised if I happen to see them.

[@user-jk2zm7uq5s]

Exactly. I'm surprised why they aren't more widespread? They work, they are light, inexpensive (kind of), don't need maintenance, don't break, they don't even rattle - they are "set and forget". OK, the reflective sticks on the rear wheel get stained eventually ... but that's it.

[@philipcooper8297]

I would also recommend white gloves. That felt like the biggest difference to me. Let's not forget that on a bicycle, your hands are the turn signals.

[@Frostbiker]

I wear hi viz orange gloves for the same reason: they vaguely resemble turn signals and I want to make it as simple as possible for drivers to understand.

[@scottf3456]

I agree, I wear white gloves to better direct cars around me. I find that some drivers are so nervous around cyclists that their cautionness (if thats a word) is a danger. The sort that will slow down or stop completly to let you go ahead of them. I always motion for them to pass because as we all know the worst place for a car to be is behind you. Furthermore, the overly cautious driver has a string angry drivers behind them who aren't mad at the overly cautious driver but instead they are mad at the guy on the bike.

[@alanbrotherton9454]

I would wear white gloves but that would make me feel like a butler and it would be undignified for a butler to be cycling.

[@Songbirdstress]

​@@scottf3456I always let the ca4s past at lights. No point in having them pass me at the intersection. They usually smiles and thank them. I also signal where I'm going while we're waiting. They appreciate it. A problem with a lot of cyclists is they act like a holes.

[@9090Glenn]

one of the MOST terrifying cycle rides I had was in Copenhagen - near the canals parallel roads are perpendicular roads that crisscross near enough every block - there is a steady and fast moving stream of cyclists in BOTH directions - each intersection you enter you are certain some other cyclist will hit you - inexplicably they don't - you see blurs whizzing by you yet some how no contact is made - it is like there is a force barrier or invisible anti-collision field that somehow stops cyclists hitting each other - that was MY experience and after a while I actually got used to that CHAOS but still marvel at HOW no one ever seemed to collide - an incredible cycling city btw

[@Ricardo1030]

Good reminder about hi vis not working in the nighttime. I like to wear my yellow windbreaker so it’ll start carrying some of those bands for added visibility at night on the return commute.

[@BikeParkLane]

I've noticed a huge difference since using the Bontrager Flare RT rear light. Such a clever light - super bright/noticeable light patterns from far away (upto 2km), it also does not blind your fellow group riders as the way the light disperses to the sides of the light beam. Cars give more distance and pass at lower speeds.

[@JeffPatry-od8ik]

Agree. I use one on the back of my helmet and another on seat post - set on flash mode and pattern not synchronized. Also use ION flare white flashing front light.

[@fionacreates]

I have high vis waterproof trousers and jacket, when it's a rainy day I want to be more visible, I also wear lights when it rains too, but I figured when I was buying the gear and it came in high vis for the same price, it didn't hurt to buy it anyway.

[@stevenqirkle]

Sounds like the fluorescent colors would less effective on a cloudy day, though. But yeah it probably doesn’t hurt, and good to pair with a light

[@sebcam9498]

My experience cycling without and now with in a big city in Italy: As soon as I started to wear one, I could see the difference with cars overpassing me, with a much bigger distance. They don’t even try anymore if space is a bit narrow. At crossing, they even stop to let me pass. It acts as if they understand that I care about my safety, so they do too. Without one, looks to me like it is the opposite. “He doesn’t really care, crazy cyclist, neither do I”. I feel so much better wearing one. Why is that that reflective patches are not more widely use on everyday jackets? Pedestrians are at risk too, difficult to imagine needing to wear one simply for walking in a city.

[@jonathanirons231]

Some of the sanest commentary on this subject I have ever seen. Thanks.

[@edgarlopez2842]

Thank you so much for devoting time to this topic. As someone whose one-hour bike commutes to and from work begin before sunrise and after sunset this was great information.

[@misspiggy9867]

I was driving home at night recently. There was a small group of cyclists ahead of me. One of the riders was wearing a jacket made entirely of reflective material. It showed up in my car headlights and looked like his jacket was made of lights. It was amazing! If I cycled at night I would get one of those jackets.

[@blake-gl4wn]

Brand is called proviz I think

[@magharibo]

A lot of Companys doing this Jacken , just Google reflective jacket

[@gcn]

GREAT NEWS! We have just launched a GCN version of the jacket! shop.globalcyclingnetwork.com/products/gcn-x-agu-commuter-cycling-rain-jacket 👍

[@nicholassale4046]

My sister (a keen cyclist) used a phrase I have often repeated for cyclists not wearing fluorescent and reflective clothing - she calls it "suicide black". I really liked the video - well balanced and thought provoking - particularly the point about highlighting your moving parts. Thank you.

[@gcn]

Hi! Thanks for the comment! glad you enjoyed the video!

[@JustSayNotoGravel]

'suicide black': that's well said! 'Ghosts' would be another way to put it!

[@FlyForPike]

It's my experience, that motorists move over to give me more room on the roadway, when I'm wearing high visibility clothing and/or using flashing lights

[@Cous1nJack]

They perceive you as a noob wrapped up in stuff you just bought with a cyclescheme voucher so give space for their benefit; not being scratched when you wobble etc. Dressed in proper gear, clipped in and on drop bars they perceive you as competent/ able to ride straight so move closer.

[@susango539]

I have made the same observation. I cycle the same route to work every day. Sometimes with and sometimes without a vest. And it's clear that the drivers saw me both times, otherwise they would have collided, but they were more considerate when I was wearing the vest. My theory is that I then look the way they imagine a good cyclist should look. Drivers here are often very aggressive when cyclists don't behave the way they want or cost them time (windshield wipers, threats of violence, overtaking extra close). From my observations, this is a very regional problem. The acceptance of cyclists is always very different. That's why you can't say it's your imagination just because you've had other personal experiences.

[@FlyForPike]

@@susango539 You make some really good points I hadn't thought about and I totally agree. Thank you for sharing your intelligence and interesting insights. I cycled 11265 km last year and hold a list of KOM's, so I don't really consider myself a 'noob', as described in the previous reply. 😉

[@Songbirdstress]

​@Cous1nJack I agree, I look pretty competent and I find drivers over est8mate my skills...

[@Cous1nJack]

@@FlyForPike calm yourself. It was an insight into drivers’ possible perspective. If you need to justify your mileage to a stranger perhaps you should put strava away for a while?

[@brittsmith7516]

Great job, Si. High vis socks sound like a cheap, easy addition to my cycling kit. This also made me think about surface area in relation to movement areas, as the feet, ankles, and knees are all pretty small.

[@NotJustBikes]

You're absolutely right in this video, but high-vis clothing should make you feel sad. Not because there's anything wrong with wearing it. Not because it doesn't work. But because it indicates the people think it's necessary. I've talked before about what I call "indicator species" for cycling. When I step out of the train station in a new city, and I see lots of people cycling around in normal clothing, without helmets, and cycling with their children either on their own bikes or in a cargo bike, I immediately I would feel comfortable cycling in that place. When I step out of my taxi in a new city, and I see a group of men in their 20s or 30s, wearing high viz clothing, on bicycles designed for speed, and wearing backpacks and helmets, I know immediately that I would never get on a bike there. After many years of observing cities, I do these things consciously. But I firmly believe that everybody does this exact same thing subconsciously. When someone is driving their SUV and looks out the window to see a man in protective gear frantically peddling to keep up with the speed of car traffic, they think, "that person is insane." When that same person looks at the window and sees a woman in nice clothing, nice shoes, and with her hair in the breeze, comfortably cycling with two happy kids in the box of the bakfiets in front of her they think, "that woman is insane ... but actually, that does look kind of nice." The latter situation is the only one that will convince most normal people that cycling could possibly be for them. And this isn't going to be news to anybody watching this video of course. But it does really speak to this psychology of this problem: if people see that protective gear is necessary to do something, they are immediately going to assume that that thing is dangerous. Wearing high-vis is a necessary evil. You should definitely do it if you live in a car-centric place. But let's not forget that it is still an evil.

[@christill]

I think it makes sense. I have a cycling rain jacket that’s bright orange and with some reflective strips on. Not because I like hi-viz. I just like orange and yellow in general. So that’s a nice accidental win. And my cycling backpack and rain trousers have reflective details on too. Again, I think a lot of cyclists will already have these things without even thinking about it. But I think we need to remember that this is for cycling in car-centric places. So it’s a stopgap solution. The one that seemingly never ends. We need to stay focused (unless you’re exclusively a roadie who enjoys riding with traffic) on getting rid of cars / building that Dutch style infrastructure. I would personally say that getting rid of most cars can be done very quickly, whereas building Dutch level bike lanes is unlikely to ever happen in a country which refuses to invest in the economy during recession (or ever). In an economically illiterate country like the UK, you just have to get on with restricting private car use.

[@Songbirdstress]

Wow, re read yourself.

[@christill]

@@Songbirdstress Care to elaborate?

[@chrisbaum998]

Great video Si.. Idea for a GCN challenge. "Save that Bike" as Si was walking along the canal in the video 1:18. There appears to be an abandoned bike against the railing. What if each presenter finds an abandoned bike in the city, fixes it up, rides a challenge and donates it to a local organization that gets bikes to the under served? What a difference we all could make if more of us took the extra time??

[@bierpenguin]

Since I am using a dashcam combined with a flashing rear light, the amount of crazy motorists from behind significantly decreased. Perhaps someone could do some research on this.

[@irfuel]

As if any motorist would know from a distance you are using a dash cam ...

[@kamehito]

​@@irfuelI think the flashing rear light does the trick

[@DemiGod..]

Whilst waiting at traffic lights, have had a car driver behind wave as spotted the rear camera.

[@StefanPolak]

A flashing Garmin Varia is great, especially in Smart mode with or without a Cam. I noticed the difference from the first day.

[@oliverp6770]

Sadly flashing lights are illegal on the bike in my county(germany)

[@algmusicuk]

This one of the best videos from gcn on visibility. Really really good @gcn. It's changed my views on visibility for me and my child

[@davemeise2192]

This is a great article GCN. I very much like your recent change from focusing so much on racing type of gear to the kind of gear and topics the average cyclist will get value from. I've been looking at quite a few of your videos for a couple of years now and I may subscribe if you keep this up.

[@24Gucho]

One advantage of high-vis would be citing it in court and playing it up to the judge or jury, but that means there would need to be an incident that requires it.

[@gcn]

Do you think it should be a considered factor in court?

[@yoshidaakito]

@@gcnIMO the only factor there that should be considered in court is if the cyclist was not using lights at night, as that’s a legal requirement. In any other situation a driver must be able to see other road users if they are to be considered fit to drive.

[@gerrymcbride6429]

@@yoshidaakitoIf you are in the UK remember that it is also a legal requirement, between sunset and sunrise, to have a rear red reflector and 4 amber reflectors, one on the the front and rear of each pedal.

[@weevilinabox]

​@@gerrymcbride6429Yes, but when was the last time you saw _any_ reflectors on a clipless pedal? Most (all?) have no accommodation for reflectors whatsoever.

[@gerrymcbride6429]

@@weevilinaboxNever, people were discussing the law and that is the law. Additionally there are recommendations in the Highway Code in respect of Hi Vis and Reflective clothing. and although they are only recommendations, some liability may be assigned to the victim if failure to follow those recommendations is found to be a contributing factor in the event of an accident.

[@qingyuhu]

Every little bit help, ride in your cool blacked out kit if you choose to.

[@gcn]

We all have the freedom to ride in what we feel comfortable in, hi-vis is not the answer to everything but it may help in some situations 🙌

[@graemejwsmith]

🙂 The remains of a parts pilfered bike padlocked to the railing at 1:18

[@simonrichardson5259]

Yes quite a sad sight that one wasn’t it! Had just been washed up by the river.

[@MisterAshbrook]

Love these consumer/commuter/everyday topics! I'm not sporty in any way, ride a variety of bikes including a cargo e-bike, so these hit the spot, thanks. I sometimes commute to work on a Brompton. Yes I have a hi-viz jacket, thankfully with some reflective bits on it. One thing I do, though, is to have a small, low-powered LED light on the bars.... pointing at my body. Theory is that oncoming drivers will see not just my regular front-facing lamp, but also me and my yellow jacket, and hopefully see me before their vehicle lights have reflected off my jacket's reflective bits.

[@os2171]

I love that statement about riding a car being more dangerous that a bike cycle in the long run

[@pauls1579]

I'm a cyclist, motorcyclist and a driver and always wear something bright when on two wheels. It amazes me that many cyclists wear dark clothing, it absorbs more heat in the summer, radiates more heat in winter and is harder to be seen in. On more than one occasion when motorcling I've had to abandon a "safe" overtake upon seeing a cyclist who had blended into the background with dark clothing whereas brighter clothing could have been seen from further away.

[@JZTechEngineering]

High vis might have helped me to get this video first😊

[@gcn]

High-vis thumbnail? 😉

[@georgekarnezis4311]

I would have liked to hear her opinion about how we perceive things at speed 10-18mph on a bike or e bike and 35-45 mph in a car. Edit: well 8:14 sorta talks about it.

[@gcn]

That's a very interesting point! Would you like us to delve deeper into the subject?

[@craighoover1495]

Yes and when you do you might want to consider talking to people that fly airplanes as they must be scanning for traffic under some circumstances. @@gcn

[@MegaLokopo]

Victim blaming is not an excuse to ignore personal responsibility. Everyone in an incident of any kind can be partially responsible.

[@saltandvinegarbois5285]

I found this video informative. I will definitely consider following the videos recommendations, particularly for night time riding.

[@a1white]

I’m sure all that all the blocks of Flouro yellow jackets in your morning commute (in a city like London) just become “noise” sometimes and don’t actually help with visibility. The notion of patches of moving visibility make sense to me. Thanks for a well thought out and out together video.

[@andrewwelbourn9577]

On a night reflective jacket or gilet, daytime flashing lights front and rear, oh and ride like everyone’s out to kill me.

[@kevinpearson1600]

Sis ankles with high vis will always be seen😂😂😂

[@katiesmith9482]

It's interesting to hear about victim blaming in the context of cycling. Us women face victim blaming in various areas of our life, as I'm sure you know. As much as I hate it, I accept it's worth doing some things to be as safe as possible. Perhaps that acceptance is why I'm willing to wear hi vis, it's the same sort of low level protective action we can take to slightly increase our safety when in a vulnerable position.

[@ssal9963]

Good work on this one Si. This is a perennial topic for cyclists (only because our lives are at risk). I am surprised that the the vision Prof didn't emphasize how important well designed lights are for both day and night. After a serious day time head-on crash with a turning driver who "didn't see me" ten years ago, I upped my game with bright gear, fluoro reflective tape on shoes and high quality flashing lights for both day and night. I firmly believe that the lights are the game changer and generally get respect from "most" drivers. I live in Aus and I think the helmet saved me from serious head injury in the head on where I went over the bonnet, summersaulted then landed on my back/head/shoulder. I'm 70 soon and still doing 250+ k's per week. Despite the risks I will continue cycling as long as I can because I love my bikessss and the pleasure and health benefits I get. I don't take any meds and I have a VO2 max of a very fit 30 something. I think it would be good if you have time to do a follow-up about the effectiveness of lights because I see a lot of cyclists(both as a driver and cyclist) that are deluded with poor quality (see me)lights.

[@quiet451]

A few months back, I had a driver pull up next to me, roll his window down and tell me to wear brighter clothing. I'm not saying he was wrong, but he was also a single occupant in a 6,000 lb Chevy Suburban.

[@TerraNova1967]

Did you tell him to wear a crash helmet? Thousands of motor vehicle drivers die from head injuries every year.

[@farmersoldworld3154]

I am a cyclist, but he was probably right.

[@lbx5359]

Perhaps Chevy Suburbans should come standard with a radar, an infrared heads-up display which highlights human bodies, and external airbags. Personal vehicles shouldn't be higher than an average adult...

[@craigfoulkes]

I'm on here as a cyclist, but I have stopped other cyclists when I am in a car to tell them to be more visible. I am cycle aware and if I had difficulty seeing them then a distracted driver who is not looking for cyclist would probably not see them at all.

[@stevemawer848]

@@craigfoulkes If you stopped me and offered such "advice" you might not get a polite response. Keep your opinions to yourself, unless asked for.

[@jamesmckenzie3532]

Hi Vis clothes van and DOES make you something: A target. I stopped wearing after one too many close calls. Now I wear ordinary cycling clothes and pay close attention.

[@gcn]

Are you wearing lots of reflective pieces? 🤨

[@feedbackzaloop]

Exactly the reason ballistic shields have a big red spot in the middle

[@friendlyperson5095]

As a bike commuter, this is super relevant content! Thank you & keep it coming!

[@tobias3170]

I love the video ❤ One thing I would like to add to high-vis is light. A strong front and backlight does make a big difference!

[@MrSGL21]

its required by law here for night time riding but most people on bikes do not use them.

[@johnnyloco11]

Great timing. I was hit today (vehicle turning in on me) don't wear hi vis but might have to bite the bullet on this one Also, I've heard that paper before poo-pooing hi vis but my counter is that I wear hi vis during times of low visability but not during the bright day. This it's not tested under equal conditions.

[@gcn]

Rest up! We hope you are okay 🙌

[@feedbackzaloop]

"Naked eye effect" is maybe the best part in the debate. Additionally, if something doesn't look right, it isn't right*. And dressing out like a cockatoo is as wrong as fully blacking out in most people eyes *although "right" is not exactly "best", rather "adequate"

[@owenoutragous666]

Have plenty of close calls with or without hi Vis maybe drivers hate me in general idk.

[@gcn]

We're sure they don't hate you, unfortunately you are not alone in this experience. How do you think the roads could be made safer?

[@MMCM]

My only reason for wearing hiviz is so if a driver hits me they can't say they couldn't see me.

[@kaspervestergaard2383]

@@MMCM People sometimes just miss things.

[@MMCM]

@@kaspervestergaard2383 sure. But I’m unconvinced of the difference hiviz makes when I’ve got several bright flashing lights already going

[@kaspervestergaard2383]

That I could believe as long as it is bright enough.@@MMCM

[@chengyanboon]

SPEED is the number one factor for serious collisions. It is trivially easy to avoid a road user wearing dark clothing if you are going at less than 30 km/h, and collisions at 30 km/h or less are unlikely to be fatal. If road safety is *everyone's responsibility*, then the greatest responsibility should be on the factors that can reduce speed: governments to build infrastructure reducing speed and keep speed limits low in places with lots of unprotected road users, and vehicle drivers who should limit their speed to suit the conditions. The fact that it's completely normal for drivers to BREAK THE LAW in a way that increases fatalities by 4-10x on residential streets seems like a much bigger thing to tackle.

[@ewanrollo5562]

I agree with the everyone doing their part bit. I think drivers appreciate cyclists who make the effort to use high viz and lights. How we all act as cyclists is very important as well. There is a lot of hostility towards cyclists, mostly caused by a bad minority who break the law. Running red lights is a very common cause of anger from motorists towards cyclists for one thing. As cyclists I think we should all do our bit. Follow the law be courteous to other road users. I think having drivers out there who hate you is much more dangerous than not wearing a high viz vest.