Hi-viz, does it make a difference in rider visibility?

[bluninja]

Anecdotally it seems are opinions are equally mixed as to whether Hi-vis helps visibility, does nothing, or actually hinders it.

Try watching the SMIDSY weave (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqQBubilSXU) video to get an idea of a situation in which the hi-vis may do nothing for your visibility.

Cheers big ears...now I can tell my wife it's ok to do a SIAM :cool:

This thread is about visibility, but I wonder where the cut off would be between weaving for visibility and stabilising the bike for braking, or manoeuvring if the car pulls out anyway.

[swbarnett]

Had a perfect example tonight of why hi-vis doesn't work. Looking in the spice draw for the cinnimon. Couldn't find it anywhere. I eventually found it right in front of me. The problem was it was in a different jar to what I'm used to i.e. I couldn't see what I wasn't expecting.

[Thaeos]

I'm sure its been said in this thread somewhere but I remember reading about studies that had been done that had actually shown black to be the colour that makes riders noticed more.

[nerrrd]

Had a perfect example tonight of why hi-vis doesn't work. Looking in the spice draw for the cinnimon. Couldn't find it anywhere. I eventually found it right in front of me. The problem was it was in a different jar to what I'm used to i.e. I couldn't see what I wasn't expecting.

Ah, but was it in a flouro jar?

But yeah, people's brains are (once again) the problem, or their inability to process the visual information right in front of their eyes. On a basic level, I reckon that movement or contrast are what I notice (maybe only because I'm psychologically inclined to do so). There's no one size fits all solution though.

[swbarnett]

Ah, but was it in a flouro jar?
Kind of - see below.


But yeah, people's brains are (once again) the problem, or their inability to process the visual information right in front of their eyes. On a basic level, I reckon that movement or contrast are what I notice (maybe only because I'm psychologically inclined to do so). There's no one size fits all solution though.
Interesting you should mention contrast. It was the one white lid in a sea of black.

[Maha]

When riding in a group situation, should the lead/tec be the only ones with Hi Viz vests on? it can be confusing when looking back in mirrors and seeing multiple vests and headlights, and not quite making out who the TEC is.

Case in point:
As lead rider of the learners group on the Prison trip, it was (at times) difficult to know who the TEC was (when I looked back/behind at a corner) with almost half the pack in Hi-Viz.

[Ocean1]

When riding in a group situation, should the lead/tec be the only ones with Hi Viz vests on? it can be confusing when looking back in mirrors and seeing multiple vests and headlights, and not quite making out who the TEC is.

Case in point:
As lead rider of the learners group on the Prison trip, it was (at times) difficult to know who the TEC was (when I looked back/behind at a corner) with almost half the pack in Hi-Viz.

You can extend that premise to include the landscape and it's inhabitants in general. There's now such a preponderance of dayglo spread across anything that some tosser wants to draw attention to that absolutely anything else stands out like dogs balls.

[nerrrd]

When riding in a group situation, should the lead/tec be the only ones with Hi Viz vests on? it can be confusing when looking back in mirrors and seeing multiple vests and headlights, and not quite making out who the TEC is.

Case in point:
As lead rider of the learners group on the Prison trip, it was (at times) difficult to know who the TEC was (when I looked back/behind at a corner) with almost half the pack in Hi-Viz.

Seems reasonable. With some it might be built into their gear, though, so might not be possible (if raining and your rain gear is brightly coloured for example).

[Maha]

Seems reasonable. With some it might be built into their gear, though, so might not be possible (if raining and your rain gear is brightly coloured for example).

Yip, a whole range of scenarios really, some ride with hi viz regardless, it's just what they do.

[Ender EnZed]

Yip, a whole range of scenarios really, some ride with hi viz regardless, it's just what they do.

Not many riders wear orange hi viz. That'd be a more distinctive option for the leader/TEC.

[nerrrd]

Not many riders wear orange hi viz. That'd be a more distinctive option for the leader/TEC.

Or pink, there were some rather fetching pink ones at the pink ribbon ride - maybe not.

[Gremlin]

When riding in a group situation, should the lead/tec be the only ones with Hi Viz vests on? it can be confusing when looking back in mirrors and seeing multiple vests and headlights, and not quite making out who the TEC is.
Depends on the size of the group really. Much more than 5-6 riders total and you can't really see the last riders in most situations. Smaller groups and it's easier to count. That sort of relies on TEC leaving no-one behind, and everyone marking corners etc.

Back to the main topic, a little bit of observation today. Obscured high viz vests are useless. Mate was riding my GSA, and with the vest behind the screen (which is clear) it really didn't stand out at all. Lights were much more visible when in front. On the other hand, when my mate was in front, he could clearly see the fluro yellow helmet stand out in his mirrors (Ok, perhaps partially because the colour is really super visible and borders on obnoxious :lol:). So the simple thing is, it may help, but may also be completely useless.