Old saying "none so blind as those who will not see" comes to mind.

Interesting idea about the unusual, psychologically attracting attention, e.g.

Eyes: Helmet with 2x white led's front & 2x red led's rear, flash or just 'blink';-) with flashing yellow leds to sides, and

Wasp: insect pattern hi-viz jerkin with yellow flouro & black retroreflective.

Some say movement works best, *separated* flashing leds and retroreflec on ankles, cranks, etc. Maybe even a flapping 'piece of toilet roll' reflective flag will work :-D

In the last few days, i've seen a few threads on here where people are suggesting legislation of cycling - again fundamentally to legislate en masse like that, you'd need a way of identifying people, then you'd need registration, licenses, COT's, etc etc - meaning even less cyclists on the road, and even less notice taken of us no matter what we are wearing. To be honest, most cagers don't look, because if they get into an accident it isn't going to hurt them, they feel safe in their bubble and that makes them careless. They also often aren't concentrating, because sitting in the bubble, the nice man on radio 4 is much more interesting than whats happening around us.

 

It's different on a motorcycle or bike, we are responsible for our own safety - I admit it, I wear mostly black. It has reflective flashes, and if i cycle at night (rare) i use several lights, and apparently make quite a sight as the reflective flashes flit by. I also wear red gloves. I don't ride much in traffic or on busy roads, i do wear hi viz backed gloves, I also command large road presence, partly by being a large person (too large) and partly because of aggressive road positioning.

 

I accept 100% that this doesn't work on bicycles in traffic, and while i do ride the motorbike into central london, i don't ride my bike.

 

It's an interesting point though, i've never chosen cycling clothing because of colour or reflection, mainly buying technical clothing, end of line, so better on price, thats in my size, which so far happens to be mostly black or dark blue (certainly in winter tights and jackets) now i have the ebike and seem to be riding into the winter, it might be time for a bit more hi-viz.

 

For reference my motorbike gear is also black with reflective stripes and flashes. For cycles I buy what fits, is comfortable, performs well and is cheap. For the motorbike i buy whatever has the most armour and resistance.

 

These days i ride everything defensively (fnar!), I used to be bold, now i'm old

I once nearly hit a runner, running on the inside of a sharp corner on a winding, bushclad, country road (60 mph zone), wearing all black with a single vertical reflective stripe... Looked EXACTLY like the road and the inner paint line to me. ONLY reason I saw her, was because she jumped into the drain

 

I have a hi-vis jacket with reflective stripes, a flashing red taillight and dual led front lights (not flashing). I have the marathon tyres with reflective walls too, and I wear cool-arms to keep the sun off - they're white.

 

I'm bigger than everyone else too

I wear cool-arms to keep the sun off

 

you're an optimist

 

 

I'm bigger than everyone else too

 

seems to be a common theme among some of us ebikers - i blame those heavy batteries we have to lug around building up our ginormous muscles

I sometimes wear my hi-vis jacket in the day-time, and it's like an invisibility cloak. They try and get me from every direction. It's a different situation at night-time though. It lights so bright that nobody comes near me. Maybe they think a UFO has landed.

Good call, need visibility aids that work in warm weather too, separate from clothing that changes with season, then don't have to spend extra on multiples. During our heatwave, remember that, it was hot to wear even helmet and jerkin. Oh, and need stuff that fits ALL sizes too, ;-).

I get fed up of helmet & hat & gloves & jerkin & anklets, lot (6 items) to stash when going in shop for a paper :-D