Safe Speed Forums

hi all... sure theres been a thread or two on this before....

two problems:
- basically i'm not feeling visible enough on my commutes.
- since the clocks changed its proper dark on the way home during the country lanes section and my front light is woeful for that.

so links to good hi vis kit & other ideas...

and ideas for decent front lights (yeh i know they go from £40 to £700) just after experience & opinions really.....

(currently running blackburn LED 'MARS' lights which are superbly bright for LED lights, reflective ankle bands & other reflective bits on clothing but far from ideal otherwise)

I use one of these: Hi-Viz

If you don't use a backpack then do a search on there and you'll find a nice range of vests.

My front light is a Lupine Edison 5. If you want motorists to notice you then you need something this bright. Of course Lupine aren't exactly the cheapest of options...

Most lights I see have little effect on visibility. In my opinion a bright reflective jacket (preferably yellow) is far more useful than lights, at least in London on lit roads.

most...

my kit is in a pannier.... unfortunately the bottle is in a back pocket at the moment which is why i'm not wearing my hi vis t-shirt i got from makro.

keep meaning to buy a bottle cage for it....


i''ve been thinking of buying or building some LED strips to put down the forks/chainstays/rack legs for visibility.. as well as some more reflectors.

have you seen those hokey-spokey things?... incredible for side visibility (and you can write rude things with them )

We (police} use Lupines - look into archives to see previous posts by both me and Ted

I did post up some Budget lights which give good value for money and ultimate safety in the past.. too// Look at the Cat Eye range - some are surprisingly good value for the money.

There is a range of decent gear around which is fashionable,. tasteful and VISIBLE. ( Swiss make.. )

These are, alas a bit pricey... but they do last for years... so they do balance out budgetwise ...

However.. budget wise.. nothing wrong with with the fluorescent velcro strips which you can fasten around thighs, wrists, ankles. as a bandana even ... and I even wear a light on my helmet too..

LED strips? Execellent idea

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I use orange Hi Vis at work - professional kit that is - decent stuff is visible up to at least 50 yards with a handlamp(pitch black night ) - but don't forget that ist's got to be kept CLEAN - the ordinary stuff can be machine washed ,but no higher than 40 , the weatherproof stuff - you'll probably need a professional cleaner like i get ( and probably IG ) THAT CLEANS IT , then waterproofs it after, with no smell.Some one like HIVIS cleaning.Best idea is a Nylon vest with stripes - washable up to 40 , that you can put on over a jacket or just a tee shirt . And Hi vis tee shirts are available now , as are fleeces.
The problem from what i see is that HIVIS is like everything else - you get what you pay for.
But as i say - i don't pay for mine - just keep a vest in the car, vest in case.

i'll let you know how i get on.
seems to be a popular thing for pimping up motorbikes.