Which colour for high vis vest?

[shrub]

My "Aim for me, I'm a Target" Jacket is that slime yellow colour and I always wear a white helmet

As an interesting aside, do you have many SMIDSY moments? Or do people see you and avoid you?

[jim.cox]

As an interesting aside, do you have many SMIDSY moments? Or do people see you and avoid you?

My commute is about 30 minutes each way and I'm an all weather rider

And I'm also an assertive rider

But it seems to me , I have about half a dozen "moments" a year when I have to take avoiding action

[shrub]

My commute is about 30 minutes each way and I'm an all weather rider

And I'm also an assertive rider

But it seems to me , I have about half a dozen "moments" a year when I have to take avoiding action

Interesting. You and I have very similar riding profiles and very similar experiences with avoiding people, yet I wear black and you wear hi vis. I'm curious what you ride and how loud it is, also you say you ride assertively - what do you mean by that? I know that for every study that says high vis gear works there's another that says it doesn't, but I wonder if it really makes a difference?

In fact I'd go one step further, that high vis kit could even be dangerous because it has the potential to lull the rider into a false sense of security "they can't miss me, i stand out like dogs balls", so instead of being constantly vigilent the rider is relaxed and when the inevitable happens they're not expecting it. I personally think rider attitude as demonstrated by riding assertively is quite probably the best protection because you're in control of the situation.

[jim.cox]

I, but I wonder if it really makes a difference?

Seen plenty of work examples where someone puts on a fluoro vest and imeediately thinks they're bullet proof

[slofox]

What's "high viz?"...

[Bass]

Interesting.
In fact I'd go one step further, that high vis kit could even be dangerous because it has the potential to lull the rider into a false sense of security "they can't miss me, i stand out like dogs balls", so instead of being constantly vigilent the rider is relaxed and when the inevitable happens they're not expecting it..

I admit the possibility but it's not what I observe.
Wearing high viz (and I do) is, I believe, something that those who do it, see as just one more thing they can do to keep safe. I have yet to meet anyone on a bike who relies on it in any way and I have discussed it with quite a few.
My personal experience is that the high vizzers are as a group more defensive, careful and alert, than the blacks.
I can't prove it to you however, it's just my observation.

What frequently surprises me though, is how vehement in their opposition, those who oppose it are. I could suggest many reasons why, but that's a whole new thread

[mattian]

I know that for every study that says high vis gear works there's another that says it doesn't, but I wonder if it really makes a difference

I remember the day I decided to start wearing hi viz vest. It was the first day after daylights savings had finished this year and on my regular commute at 6.00 in the morning and it was pitch black darkness in heavy crawling traffic. I was stopped at the lights and there was another biker behind me and apart from his headlight he was absolutely invisible. When we started moving again, I was keeping a cautious eye on my mirrors and I honestly couldn't see him for shit It dawned on me, that must be exactly how I must appear to other road users as well.
I haven't suddenly decided to wear high viz after studying the subject. I started wearing it based on my own experience and I have most definately noticed a marked improvement in how people notice and behave towards me on the road. Thats my experience

[Morcs]

I wasnt aware that 'Gay' had a colour?

[Toaster]

I might consider wearing a yellow vest for winter commuting through Auckland but my rainsuit is brighter than my usual black on black with a hint of black, so might do.

It is more likely they will take a rider out no matter what. A lot of people fail to see emergency service vehicles with all their lights and sirens going, let alone a biker on a bike with a fluro vest.

Something is better than nothing but it's probably only an incremental benefit.

[mattian]

I wasnt aware that 'Gay' had a colour?

sorry, did I forget to put that option in there for you?

[shrub]

My personal experience is that the high vizzers are as a group more defensive, careful and alert, than the blacks.
I can't prove it to you however, it's just my observation.

My experience is that the high vizzers are as a group more likely to be riding tourers or commuters and are more timid and less assertive than the blacks. Again, just an observation.

I've found a high v iz vest (yellow) and I will be riding for the next 2 weeks in it and will write a diary at the end of each day, and then repeat the process wearing my normal kit.

[Bass]

My experience is that the high vizzers are as a group more likely to be riding tourers or commuters and are more timid and less assertive than the blacks. Again, just an observation.

Fair enough, you may be right and it may well be quite an astute observation.
What you see as timid, I probably read as defensive.
One other thing though - I suspect that tourer riders are the ones who really clock up the miles. I know a guy locally who put 75,000km on his last Blackbird in only 9 months. That was his 3rd Blackbird.
My wife and I put 50,000 km on the Sprint in less than 2 years without really trying.
I've done the Riderskills advanced course. The guy who runs that up here is a professional biker, rides a tourer and wears a vest.
Generalisation, I know.

I've found a high v iz vest (yellow) and I will be riding for the next 2 weeks in it and will write a diary at the end of each day, and then repeat the process wearing my normal kit.

Excellent idea - I look forward with interest to reading your impressions

I am a bit concerned however that you have "incidents" often enough that you think a fortnight is sufficient period to make a call.

Personally, my guesstimate of an event frequency requiring any degree of active evasion, harder than normal braking etc on my part would be about once every couple of months. Prior to the vest, it would have been about once a month, but I am quite unable to say whether the difference has anything to do with the vest or not. It could be just me getting a bit more skilled at reading Joe Driving Public.
It doesn't matter to me though. As I hinted at, I don't believe that wearing a vest can do me any harm and just maybe, it might do some good. I have no problem with taking every reasonable precaution.

[robertvi]

High Vis wearers are namby pamby little bitches...

Slyer: according to the local street yobs around here wearing a fluoro vest actually make you a "wanker", but I don't give a rat's ass what they shout

[98tls]

I might consider wearing a yellow vest for winter commuting through Auckland but my rainsuit is brighter than my usual black on black with a hint of black, so might do.

It is more likely they will take a rider out no matter what. A lot of people fail to see emergency service vehicles with all their lights and sirens going, let alone a biker on a bike with a fluro vest.

Something is better than nothing but it's probably only an incremental benefit.

Sadly about it mate,if they cant see something projecting light theres fuck all chance of them noticing something that merely reflects it.

[Bass]

Sadly about it mate,if they cant see something projecting light theres fuck all chance of them noticing something that merely reflects it.

I think that's a very narrow view.
Coming down the motorway at night in the rain when the tail-light bulb shit itself a couple of months back, I was quite grateful for the refectorised hi-viz vest.