Mussels, being seen IS important, you know it, I know it, and everyone on this board knows it. High-viz is the easiest way to maximise visibility in daylight. If you don't want to wear it, fine, but please don't try and underplay its importance for cyclists.

 

I do agree that flashing lights are a good idea, even in daylight, although I'm not sure of the advantage of poles. I think eye level would capture most attention since that's where most of us look. Anything that catches attention can only do good!

I agree that being seen is important and that high vis is an easy way to increase visibility but I think that many people overplay it's importance. For a complete novice that rides along in the gutter it's better than nothing but it's not a substitute for observation and road positioning, the problem is worse when the novice in the gutter thinks he is safe.

Surroundings play an important part as well, if I was out in the countryside then I might put more importance on it but in the metropolis with it's myriad of bright colours and things going on a high vis vest doesn't stand out. If the rider in high vis believes they will be seen then they will soon become a statistic.

From what I have seen male riders are less likely to wear high vis than women. Although high vis doesn't cause accidents itself it doesn't seem to help much.

Women cyclists 'at greater risk from lorry deaths' | UK news | The Guardian

Well, I'm lucky (?) enough to live in the sodding Metropolis, visual distractions and all, and Mussels does have a point.

 

And I only mention this as it has relevance to this discussion, but I have passed the IAM test, so even if my driving ain't perfect, it has certainly been closely observed and honed to the point where it meets certain standards of observation and control. As a DRIVER, therefore, I am only too glad when a cyclist appears with a flashing light and a bright jacket, certainly if the opposite is some burk dressed in black, sans lights, who treats roads and pavements as a playground.

 

Allen.