Be Safe, Be Seen When Cycling - But What About Dark Clothing?
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- Опубликовано: 13 окт 2024
- The weather is really starting to turn colder now, so I've invested in a new winter jacket. Only one colour option available in the store (black!), which got me thinking about the topic of 'be safe, be seen' and whether dark clothing or black really is an appropriate colour to wear on a bike.
Do you steer clear of darker clothing when you're out cycling, or use extra reflective kit? What about lights, always on or just for poor light/night conditions? Let me know what you do to be safe and be seen!
Happy cycling, folks!
Regardless of what the experts say, my own experience as both a cyclist and a car driver, is that brighter coloured clothing is much easier to spot than darker clothing, especially under tree cover etc. Whether that makes any difference to how a car driver overtakes you isn’t really the point, it’s trying to make it easier for them to spot you from as far back as possible. I always ride with daytime front and rear lights and either white or yellow/hi-viz jersey or jacket. I wouldn’t dream of wearing a black jersey or jacket!
Thanks for the comment, Paul. Some hard and fast rules there that I think a lot of people follow. Happy cycling!
Always wear a reflective top, or have flashing lights! I'm over 70 and cycle hundreds of miles a month, I can't afford to have another accident, at my age the body takes ages to recover. Love from Leeds x
@@rontheretiredone Keep smashing it Ron, you're an inspiration
Here in Norfolk in the 'quiet lanes' the hedges and overhanging trees can make deep shadow that is impossible to see in to. On more than one occasion with the sun in my eyes I've had to stop because I couldn't see where the road went. Somebody in black would be invisible to a motorist and as a general rule I wear a white T shirt in summer or an orange jacket at other times. But the best safety device I have is a Blaze light, always on and blinking.
Appreciate the comment. I've just googled Blaze lights - funky looking things and look decent quality. Complete tree cover or that dappled light at speed is really tricky. Round these parts you sometimes get high gritstone walls and especially when wet there's pretty much no colour contrast with black clothing and you'd be relying on lights or hi-vis bits there too. Making this little video has reminded me how much I like the idea of a dynamo and some 'always on' lights.
@@onemorecyclist I should have been more specific, having just googled it myself. It's the Laser light which is different from the red ones in the opening pictures. Had mine for 15-20? years since they first started. As well as 3 light settings it has a laser beam projected bicycle image projected onto the ground about 5 metres in front. Recharged by magnetic clip from a USB cable to Lithium battery, charge that lasts days. Here comes the boast! I supported them at start up and have an engraved version :)
@@Joe90V an engraved OG version ... that's very cool! 🙂
I know there is a phenomenon as "dazzle camouflage" where bright colours can actually conceal in some circumstances. Some ships and planes in World war II took advantage of the effect. But I wouldn't wear dark clothing for cycling, my kit is all bright colours or hi-vis. Additionally I use daylight flash lights (500 lumen front, 100 lumen back) even in bright sunlight just to make sure I haven't been missed. In darker conditions I reduce the power so as not to dazzle other road users.
Appreciate the comment, Philip. Dazzle camouflage is a nice way of putting it. Yes, handlebar lights are the perfect height to dazzle other road users. Backing off the lumens a little and even angling down ever so slightly shows good consideration I think. Happy cycling!
Spooky that you mentioned the view of a pilot. Back in the late '90s after some mid-air collisions, the Royal Air Force commissioned some scientific analysis of aircraft colour schemes to improve visibility of their non-operational aircraft (whereas operational aircraft are painted to make them more difficult to see). Traditionally, their training aircraft had been yellow, then silver with orange bands, then red and white. As a result of the research the Royal Air Force changed the colour scheme of its training aircraft to gloss black.
Thanks, Mike. You're the second person to mention the RAF change to using of black. Interesting. I think it's quite a bit less 'invisible' than a lot of people think in daytime conditions. Happy cycling!
Always wear a bright shirt. Apparently, having moving bright colours like socks is far more effective. Pennines are a beautiful place to cycle, but cars are scary close.
Thanks for the comment, Randel. Yes, I think fluorescent or white socks (moving) are really attention grabbing. I remember years ago reading an article (but have forgotten where) about how hi-vis is so commonplace it's lost its effectiveness as a novel visual etc. Things like socks though probably still have that unusual factor. Happy cycling (away from traffic as much as possible!) 🙂
Day time lights for cyclists are fantastic. Seen a few recently driving around. The first thing I seen before a bike or bright clothing of the cyclists was the lights.
I have the same experience as a driver; seeing the lights first (I think). I really do like the idea of a dynamo and always on setup. Thanks for the comment.
I've found I get much nicer treatment from drivers when I'm wearing brightly colored steeet clothes. Lycra seems to trigger them for some reason. I save the kits for really hot and humid days.
That's interesting. Thanks for the comments, Chuck. I try and make a habit of always giving drivers a thank you wave if I know they've been really careful around me on the bike, for example waiting for the right passing opportunity. Nice acknowledgements working both ways etc. Happy cycling! 🙂
Interesting. I believe that non-black clothing gives better visibility to other road users, especially at dawn and dusk and when there are dark cloudy skies. Also when it is raining. A flashing bicycle light in those circumstances certainly helps. I hadn't thought about wearing reflective armbands to increase visibility until I saw you wearing one in this video. Great idea! Good visibility. Light, small and easy to pack away when not in use. Very cheap to buy. I have ordered some for my wife and myself for use in less than optimal light conditions. 😊
Thanks for the comment and completely agree re dawn and dusk use of black. Having tested it a few times now, I'm really happy with the black jacket from a performance standpoint, so will probably look to buy a couple more reflective add-ons for use with it. Happy cycling!
during night rides I wear reflective ankle straps and the bike has two rear lights with different patterns going. A front light, too, obviously. The rucksack I wear also has reflective strips. Be seen.
Can I ask where you got the ankle straps? - that's a useful bit of kit. Thanks for the comment and happy cycling!
@@onemorecyclist Uncle Jeff B is who I got it from (or Amazon for short)
I have a black jacket with yellow strips on the sleeves. I was getting tut-tutted by a person in a 4WD vehicle for it on one summer ride once (an overweight person!). Block black in full daylight is as good as orange/yellow in dull light, I use those yellow bands on my bike frame after a near miss when someone almost drove into my side when they came out of a petrol station. Mountain rescue recommend orange for emergency bivvy/shelters as the most visible in dull/misty conditions. I use an orange/red dry bag on the rear rack for touring.
Unless its a warm and very bright day, I always wear a hi viz jacket.
Thanks for the comment, Paul. Interesting to hear what colour MR recommend. Side visibility is something I should probably give a bit more thought to. My go-to tyres are Schwalbe Marathons and they have a super reflective sidewall, but not all my bikes have these on at the moment, so something on the bike frame is a good call. Happy cycling!
I watch Riding with Roy, Leonard Lee, Always another Adventure and others. They are very good, the best in some ways. But your videos have the best scenery and the best music of all channels.
You all have the same palette, but you paint the best pictures.
Thanks for all you do.
Frank
Thanks, Frank. Enjoy editing the clips together and hopefully collecting some nice scenery and rides along the way to look back on in years to come. Really appreciate you following along and keeping us updated stateside! 🙂
I mean when driving, I'm grateful for everything around me being visible, cars, cyclist etc. So let's make ourselves very visible.
It's about being seen at distance not when vehicles are overtaking. This means the vehicle has time to overtake or not. I would never wear black cycle clothing It's just a fashion thing.
Thanks for the fair comment, John. I'm useless with fashion and would almost have thought the opposite, that the million different colours and styles these days is the fashion stuff. And the bog standard colour with some reflective strips and lights is the 'not thinking about fashion choice'? 🙂
Brighter clothing is by far the safest route to take. It also applies to helmets and to a lesser degree the bike. So many men, unfortunately, are reluctant to use color. It’s girly many say. Believe me, I have one of those Neanderthal brained individuals living next door. Everything he wears, or rides is either black, brown or depressing grey. But, he is a great guy until he gives me the business about my colorful attire. 🙄😂
My new bike is hi viz yellow!
@@jamesbann3577my bike is candy apple red, and my helmet is a light blue, and I wear a basic white jersey (colorful logos and lettering included). 😊
Not mention, white flashing light up front, and flashing red light at rear. You can’t miss me. You could say I’m a mobile US flag. 😊
I hadn't thought about a kind of macho factor influencing colour choices. Being a bit of a pottering-pace cyclist I'm subject to a fair bit of macho overtaking I think! 🙂
@@onemorecyclistthat macho factor is what society has done to us men. One example is what some moron did years ago by creating stupid gender colors. Blue for boys, pink for girls. Of course there are many factors to the influence of society. Much too long to deal with here.
No side reflectors on spokes, no pedal reflectors, nofront and back reflectors in case your lamp battery dies.
No optional reflective tape on bags or frame.
If you want to be seen, learn from commuters.
I think you have to go with what's within the law (i.e. any legal minimum kit/behaviour) and then what (usually additional kit) you are personally comfortable with ... and accept whatever risks that may or may not entail. As an ex motorcycle courier and commuter for over 10 years I do what I feel is enough to be seen, use all my experience and ride as skilfully as I can (e.g. defensively when needed, proper observations and signalling before changing road position etc.) but I also expect other road users to have proper care and attention with cyclists. And this is where I think it gets a bit dicey on many UK roads. Meaning, you can do so much to be seen - including all the very reasonable things you've outlined - but it may not be making you nearly as safe as you think! Appreciate the comment and it's interesting to see all the different views here. Happy cycling!
I bought reflective tape the same color as my bike. I take the strips and wrap them around the frame in various spots to give me a chance to be seen from the side as well as from front or back.
@@onemorecyclist gcn pointed out in a video that everything that highlights the movement of the feet/pedals helps other traffic participants to identify you as a bicycle and is thereby important.
I only wear hi viz yellow shirts or coats..always. I don't wear a helmet😮. ((I am a slow gravel cyclist - 20kmh av). My mantra is - accident prevention is better than mitigation. 😊
Thanks for the comment. Aside from my waffle in the video I'd be interested to know why the manufacturer/store only stocked those jackets in black. That's a good mantra! 🙂
Hi viz yellow marks you out as a member of the 10 mph crowd. If you are not then motorists may misjudge your speed.
Hi Martin, We think we have just passed you at the junction for Great Dun Fell. Didn't recognise you for a few minutes (probably frozen brain). Sorry for not stopping for a natter. Cheers, Ali and Steve. About 14:00 on Sunday 13th
Ah, small world indeed! Yes, not long back. I only saw a couple of pairs of cyclists so I think I can remember you. Think I'd just finished the descent and was thawing out for a few minutes when you came by. Lovely day for it, albeit a bit nippy. Is that your local area? I drove up to Appleby so all new roads for me today. 🙂
That decent looked awesome. I've got a question for you. Can you recommend a waterproof jacket that is actually waterproof for longer than an hour in the rain. I've tried a few now, and they all wet out within an hour, and you become wet and cold.
Yes, great fun bombing down off the tops. Re cycling jackets I've kind of given up on them actually keeping you dry over a sustained period. I use a few generic hiking raincoats and a Van Rysel cycling specific one at the moment, often it's just the extra warmth/wind protection more than anything that I'll notice. I think the best jacket I ever used (still ended up wet but probably took a bit longer to get there) was an Altura one, which was crazy reflective as well. Few years ago though and can't recall the name. Maybe someone might add a decent recommendation here from their experience?
@onemorecyclist Thanks, yeah, I feel the same about waterproof jackets. I'm currently having to wear 2 just to keep dry, but it's not ideal.
What is about UK cyclists who always wear bland, boring black/fluro yellow clothing?
The clothing is so awful that I have to order all my clothing from abroad, and prices are a lot cheaper, too!!!
Another thing about the UK is the lack of sizes bigger than 3XL, as well as their bright colours, although the brands make & sell them worldwide!!!
I also have stand-out brands that are not available in the UK!
Unfortunately the UK does not like people with a personality, or nice things, and a reason why most people drive a grey colour car!
It's been a few years since I've bought anything and honestly I was a bit surprised when I went into the store (Decathlon) that pretty much everything in the mens section (good quality) was black or dark blue (even with reflective bits). Lack of bigger sizes is clearly an issue too. What stand-out brands do you use? Thanks for the comment and happy cycling!
@@onemorecyclist That was a quick response!
It is not all good news as although they make bigger sizes, they sell out quickly, so you have to be lucky, and quick!
The clothing brands I use are Santini, ALE, Etxeondo, and Giordana(ASSOS also do TIR size!), with shoes by Vittoria!
Every company is different as they might do an overshoe for a UK 13, but not socks, with Vittoria doing a carbon shoe up to a UK 14, but Sidi only go to a UK 12,
but will go to bigger sizes in cheaper range/winter boots!
In Gaerne they only go to a UK 12, but by chance I got a pair which was made for a pro in a UK 13 on eBay!
I got the last ALE 5XL rain jacket, earlier this year in their sale with 30% off, but had customs, etc of about the same!
It is not cheap looking good, but as I have three top-end bikes, I will not compromise if I have the very best custom bikes.
I bought my dream bike several years back(Colnago C60 with full Campagnolo SR EPS, etc), but even though I had a bike fit, and saw 4 official Dealers, they all
said I was a bigger frame(I was actually the smaller size!) which caused problems of too long stem & too wide bars.
I got it sorted with ENVE kit but it looked silly with a short 80 stem, so I recently bought a C64 disc in the right size, and bought all the new Campagnolo 12-speed SR EPS, etc.
It had SR mechanical but I wanted EPS, but it had WTO 60 wheels
This meant I could get the Deda integrated bars I originally wanted(although nearly £800!!!), but new model came out with a waiting list!
Bars should be here here in the next week to complete my custom build.
It was a pain trying to sell my C60 as no one wanted it whole, or would not offer much!
Last year I saved a little used custom orange Bianchi Specialissima rim-brake by getting the rubbish kit off, and custom building it with 12-speed Campagnolo SR EPS/WTO
33 wheels, etc.
Something else that was not available in the UK was the saddle I wanted (Selle SMP F30 carbon), although the cheaper version is?
I contacted the UK Distributor to ask if they could order one, and if they could price-match with an EU seller?
They were very friendly, and it was not a problem with a two week delivery.
I got them to order another one for my C64, too!!!
Lastly, I am a massive Marco Pantani fan, and have been trying to get his cycling kits from 1993-1998, and after six years have got virtually all of the main bits of most
years, but crucially ALL THE 1998 kit!
I had amazing luck with first item to find being the brand new in the box Vittoria shoes in UK 13, for only £50!!!
The socks & mitts were the next hardest, and I found them in Italy, with Carrera winter kit from 1993/4 in France, including the XL gloves!
In December, Last year I sourced a virtually unused Bianchi Pantani Replica with the proper Campagnolo Record kit in Kent!
You should see the looks I get!
Unfortunately it's not all about visibility. I cycle with front and rear lights during daylight, brightly coloured tops, a white helmet and flouro shoe covers and still get as much abuse as the next person. I'm not suggesting that anyone should dress completely in black with no lights and do their best to be invisible but, the reason I go to so much trouble is not because I think it will change anyones behaviour towards me. But, because surely no ne can try and use the ages old excuse of not seeing me.
Also sometimes the cycling clothing brands must also be held accountable for so many black coloured garments as for a long time it was difficult to find colours in clothing, other than black. it's still difficult to buy shorts or winter leggings in any other colour and usually more expensive if you can.
Appreciate the comment. It does seem like some clothing brands or stores could do much better. When I went into Decathlon I was basically after two things, a decent quality jacket (must have) and a nice bright colour (for me a nice to have but not a deal breaker). Everything half decent was black or dark blue. Perhaps I should have shopped around but I kinda hate shopping and like being able to try stuff on in a store etc. Funny you mention leggings as I picked up a new pair of those at the same time ... yep, one colour choice again! One fateful shopping trip and I've turned into a winter ninja! 🤦
I always run daytime flashing light front and back I've no idea if it actually helps or not. If i know I'm going to be out at night I've got a bright yellow winter jacket I've not been ran over yet.
10:11 No ice cream van parked up. Wonder if this is still a thing in Summer/Autumn like it was 10 years ago.
Trouble is lad alot of car drivers think cyclists shouldn't be on roads.
Yep, unfortunately that's true. I remember getting screamed at near Fort William on the JOGLE tour, proper veins throbbing in temple stuff, to 'get on the ******* bike path'. I hadn't even seen that there was one! Probably held the driver up for, say 5 seconds! Poor fella, needed a time out! 🙂
Problem is somewhat with people not wearing bright clothing, but our generation who were brought up riding bicycles and therefore we always watch out for them. Kids and Muppets who think they own the road couldn't care less
That's really interesting. I'm reading a few comments here about certain clothing being much easier to spot (by drivers) but it doesn't match my own experience as a driver. Perhaps being part of that generation that knocked about on bikes all the time I'm just scanning more for bikes when I'm behind the steering wheel (whatever clothing is being worn). Dunno, food for thought. Thanks for the comment and happy cycling!
Your surrounding country is beautiful. I live in a flat area which is just as well as I'm not good on long climbs. I guess it's the price to pay to get the stunning views and an exhilarating down hill section you have.
I tend to wear dark clothes but wear a reflective belt.
I have had one brush with a car but it was mid summer and I was wearing a bright top. No colour would have saved me. The chap had stopped at a junction to join the main road, which I was on. He suddenly shot forwards and I collided with the side of his car. I was just a bit grazed but really angry. He said the sun was in his eyes and he couldn't see me!
By all means make yourself visible but there's nothing you can do to avoid an idiot.
Couldn't agree more, Colin. My one and only two-wheeled crash was on a motorbike and a similar incident of someone pulling out and into me. They looked right at me and still pulled out. Full white fairing on the bike, lights on, white helmet and fluroescent/reflective jacket (visually akin to a police escort rider). Learned the hard way that some people just don't clock you. Thanks for the comment and happy cycling!
Half the cars on the road are some shade of tarmac and most vans are the same colour as overcast sky.
Love the vids so many are my local rides,any chance u could give me the name of the singer in this video wow what a incredible voice stay safe be happy takecare
Thanks, Tony. I enjoy seeing my local hills on others' rides too ... and they always seem to notice and know about things I'm completely oblivious to! The track is by Emorie and I think is called 'The Water'. Happy cycling! 🙂
Black clothing blends in beautifully with tarmac. Please don't cycle in all black. If you're a goth go to a goth show. 😂
Hi, what are the glasses you use? Ta.
They are cheapos from QueShark off Amazon. :)
Hi, do you swift or old school and just ride trough winter?
I have a Wahoo Kickr and MyWhoosh account but doesn't get much use. I suppose because I'm not too bothered about training and it's not really cycling to me, i.e. being outside peddling, fresh air, scenery etc. Will always aim to ride through the winter unless the conditions are truly awful!
More importantly, what was the first music track?
It's a track by Emorie called The Water (I think).
@@onemorecyclist thank you. Found it and you were correct. Another new artist for me to listen to.
Hi viz
I notice a massive difference with car drivers if I wear high vis tops. Both on the cycle and on the motorbike, they see you and take appropriate action. I take no notice of "scientific" surveys, just look at the rubbish they came up with in 2020! In over 50 years of road usage I know what I'm talking about, WEAR SOMETHING BRIGHT.
Black contrasts well against overcast sky.
You can be lit up like a Christmas tree and be wearing luminous clothing but if its useless if a driver has no respect for cyclists and couldn't care less about their welfare.
That seems to be one of the conclusions of these types of studies, that the motorists that really buzz you dangerously close see you (whatever you're wearing) but just don't care! Really worrying and I've recently started changing my views on segregated cycle lanes (i.e. starting to see the benefits more than I ever used to). Thanks for the comment and happy cycling!
They want us lit up like a Christmas tree so they can drive while playing with their phone.
Stay well away from the Johnny Cash cycling team.