12-11-2016, 02:16 PM
(12-11-2016, 02:09 PM)Ulvetanna_imp Wrote: Was thinking on this today riding my little 80-mile catch-all loop, 60 miles freeway some urban and suburban, canyons and so on.I think that's probably right. It's important to remember to continue to assume you're invisible and hope; just hope, that the HiViz gear may help one person see you.
On the freeway the only bikes I noticed (coming my direction) as far as being conspicuous were the ones with bright headlights. Most have reasonably bright lights, but one guy had dual headlights and they were very bright. Then a police bike, not sure of the year and brand, had a single headlight, very bright.
Wearing Hi-Viz gear is certainly not going to lessen your conspicuity but whether it reduces your chances of being in an accident, my experience has been to the contrary. So I ride very defensively for the most part and just don't expect anyone to see me.
That's where I think all this Hi-Viz stuff can get some folks into trouble. They think they are lit up like the Fourth of July, or Christmas tree, and that everyone will see them. Nope, not the case. More likely it will attract someone who has a bad attitude and wants to mess with you because they don't like bikes, or they are jealous you are having more fun than they are, or whatever.
(12-10-2016, 02:03 PM)ClassicVW_imp Wrote: I still disagree that these colors don't stand out. True, they are more noticeable on a dull day, but they are noticeable anytime because there's little or nothing in nature that are these colors and we are not conditioned to seeing them.But the color alone does not convey the trajectory of the object, what the object is, or even if it is a threat.
As has been stated before with the fire engine example, a few drivers are just so zoned out or out of it that they will never see you, even if you were wearing a jacket with flashing lights.
As I was saying, by all means, wear any type of gear, my cautionary statement is don't expect anyone is going to notice you in a way that will prevent an accident. Only riding skills can help us there, lane position, looking well ahead, anticipation of events, covering the brakes, being in the right gear, knowing your machine. And so on.
Color to me is just a fashion, not a function, I guess.
(12-11-2016, 02:09 PM)Ulvetanna_imp Wrote: Was thinking on this today riding my little 80-mile catch-all loop, 60 miles freeway some urban and suburban, canyons and so on.Really?
On the freeway the only bikes I noticed (coming my direction) as far as being conspicuous were the ones with bright headlights. Most have reasonably bright lights, but one guy had dual headlights and they were very bright. Then a police bike, not sure of the year and brand, had a single headlight, very bright.
Wearing Hi-Viz gear is certainly not going to lessen your conspicuity but whether it reduces your chances of being in an accident, my experience has been to the contrary. So I ride very defensively for the most part and just don't expect anyone to see me.
That's where I think all this Hi-Viz stuff can get some folks into trouble. They think they are lit up like the Fourth of July, or Christmas tree, and that everyone will see them. Nope, not the case. More likely it will attract someone who has a bad attitude and wants to mess with you because they don't like bikes, or they are jealous you are having more fun than they are, or whatever.
(12-10-2016, 02:03 PM)ClassicVW_imp Wrote: I still disagree that these colors don't stand out. True, they are more noticeable on a dull day, but they are noticeable anytime because there's little or nothing in nature that are these colors and we are not conditioned to seeing them.But the color alone does not convey the trajectory of the object, what the object is, or even if it is a threat.
As has been stated before with the fire engine example, a few drivers are just so zoned out or out of it that they will never see you, even if you were wearing a jacket with flashing lights.
As I was saying, by all means, wear any type of gear, my cautionary statement is don't expect anyone is going to notice you in a way that will prevent an accident. Only riding skills can help us there, lane position, looking well ahead, anticipation of events, covering the brakes, being in the right gear, knowing your machine. And so on.
Color to me is just a fashion, not a function, I guess.