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Be Seen Without Looking Like a School Crossing Attendant

Posted: 25th November 2009 | Eddie Allen

More: Daily Commuting Tips Archive

Above: Left: Respro's Hump rucksack cover is a great way to be seen and avoid actually wearing hi viz. Right: Lflect's reflective scarves and hats are normal winter wear by day and hi viz safety accessories at night.

No offence to Lollipop men/women, but we don't all aspire to dress like them, even when we're on our bikes. However, we do want to get to our destinations in one piece, which means that being highly visible on the roads is a high priority, especially in winter's low-light conditions.

Day and Night

The requirements for daytime and night-time visibility differ dramatically. Nightime visibility is all about reflective materials such as Scotchlite, whereas daytime visibility is achieved through bright, hi-viz materials (like the lollipop lady's infamous jacket).

How to avoid ‘that look' - Shun the Hi Viz Vest and Accessorise

The best way to avoid the Day-Glo Blues is to look for bags which incorporate or are entirely made from hi viz materials. Many bags and panniers incorporate hi viz rain covers. It's a good idea to deploy these covers at all times, even when it's not raining. Many riders who shy away from ‘wearing' hi viz have no problem carrying a hi viz bag or adding hi viz highlights to their bikes. Check out http://www.respro.com/products/urban-commuting/motorcycling/hiviz_hump/

You can also buy reflective and high viz adhesive strips to attach to your frame or mudguards. A strip of dayglo/scotchlite on the rear mudguard and the rear-facing part of the seatstays is highly effective. A hi viz 'Wrist Slap' is a great yet subtle product that gives other road users a visual cue. Wear it on your right arm to mark your most vulnerable side. A few subtle flashes of hi viz material are all that's needed to draw the motorist's eye and put you firmly on their radar.

Look for Stealthy Scotchlite and Other Smart Materials

You'll find that many understated cycling jackets, gilets, gloves and overtrousers will use Scotchlite piping, (check out http://www.bspoke.cc/) which looks subdued during the day but lights up at night under the glare of a car's headlights. Clothes which incorporate ‘stealth Scotchlite' or technical yarns like Lumatwill are great for folks who shun that Motorway Maintenance look. There are a number of companies specialising in knitwear incorporating reflective yarn (check out this link: http://www.coolthings.com/lflect-brings-reflective-fashion-to-knitwear/ ).

For the ultra dapper, there's even a night-reflective herringbone tweed riding suit, complete with plus fours, of course. check out this link: http://www.dashingtweeds.co.uk/dt/tailoredoutfits/tailored-outfits-sub1/.

So there's no excuse for any of us not to be seen, even if we wouldn't be seen dead in a reflective tabard...