Lumivest for commuters. Anyone using one?

**Smifffy** · 22nd April 2010, 20:13

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Another "safety" vest for that-way-inclined bikers to wear backpacks over. The sort of vests that kindy mums in Porsche Cayennes would find it hard not to swerve to obliterate, bless them.

Or a copper with the whiff of infringement quota dollars in his nostrils...

**FatHead** · 22nd April 2010, 21:41

Well as a commuter myself I am with you, need bright and visible and easy to see in all ways. Down to business, I saw what must have been one of these at dusk last night on a cyclist on the Hutt road and wanted one instantly. Very visible and easy to see even in that nasty dusk period. Will be investigating purchase ASAP.

**CookMySock** · 22nd April 2010, 21:50

Electroluminescent gear has been around for a year or three.

http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...inescent+shirt

The EL lights don't last as long as LEDs, but they are still plenty cool to play with. If you want to be seen, get one.

I think you are much better off with a loud exhaust. Fancy pants lights mesmerise and distract people - especially animated ones, and then make them run into things. Conversely, loud pipes make them lock their eyes onto the road in front of them and cling to the steering wheel like their life depends on it.

Steve

**Neon** · 22nd April 2010, 22:06

Ask hctseng (Hayden), he's got one and it's pretty nifty. Almost said 'cool' but managed to stop myself there.

**rustic101** · 22nd April 2010, 22:53

I'm actually keen on getting one of these

**tracyprier** · 23rd April 2010, 08:39

And that burkes cycles is down your way too.

Also, I know from the guys who make the LED vest that it is ok to wear them on a motorcycle even with the light colour the same front and back as they are on the rider NOT the bike itself... because their ones are red and I questioned the guy about showing red lights to the front.

Think I'll get one of these before the weather starts to turn to winter kak.

cheers
Tracy

Originally Posted by FatHead

Well as a commuter myself I am with you, need bright and visible and easy to see in all ways. Down to business, I saw what must have been one of these at dusk last night on a cyclist on the Hutt road and wanted one instantly. Very visible and easy to see even in that nasty dusk period. Will be investigating purchase ASAP.

**EJK** · 23rd April 2010, 08:43

Perfect for Gay's Thursday Night Out.

**FatHead** · 23rd April 2010, 20:42

Have put a query in via email to the supplier to see if they do plus sizes for me and asked if I could get a bulk deal for some of the riders at work. Will let suppliers know there may be some interest on here as well see if we can get a KB Discount. Looked at the Burkes site but dont see them having a size that fits me.

Originally Posted by tracyprier

And that burkes cycles is down your way too.

Also, I know from the guys who make the LED vest that it is ok to wear them on a motorcycle even with the light colour the same front and back as they are on the rider NOT the bike itself... because their ones are red and I questioned the guy about showing red lights to the front.

Think I'll get one of these before the weather starts to turn to winter kak.

cheers
Tracy

**BMCruiser** · 23rd April 2010, 23:30

Tracy I think these are a great idea. The more visable you can be the better. Even though many bikers feel a standard hi-viz vest isn't cool to wear I've noticed the number on the road gradually increasing over the last 6 months. But they don't work as well in the dark so these make a lot f sense.

**Jonno.** · 24th April 2010, 14:16

Hi vis (provided they are proper day/night) work just as well at night as the reflective tape reflects better during the lack of light.

A lot of people I see every morning wear hi vis and do stupid stuff like ride in people's blind spots and I think it's naive to say someone wearing hi vis is definitely safer then someone not wear one.

Personally I wear black commuting day and night and rarely have close calls which wouldn't have been prevented by hi vis because the person simply wasn't looking. But then again I'm prepared for people to do stupid shit just like in the car.

**Hitcher** · 24th April 2010, 15:45

I'm beginning to suspect that this is a serious thread.

**OV Lander** · 24th April 2010, 18:16

Check the legals/NZTA regs...

You are only allowed to emit red light from the rear of a vehicle, and these appear to be blue. Wonder what impression you might be accused of giving to the motoring public if you start to display a combination of Red and Blue from your bike.

NB: These rules also exclude the use of white reflective tape (as per day/night vests) on a vehicle, but since the Police use the same reflective materials on their jackets you might be able to argue a case.

**Vinz0r** · 26th April 2010, 16:55

It depends how you want to interpret the term "On a vehicle", does it mean that you cannot have the lights on the vehicle itself? Or does this extend to the rider also. Ambiguity in law is such fun..

**Ratti** · 26th April 2010, 17:10

In spite of copping a LOT of teasing, I continue to wear a dayglo yellow reflective vest. Combine that with the dayglo yellow scoot I just bought and motorists in Welly are in for a dazzling experience.

spent the weekend riding with a bunch of oldfarty bikes and was told I certainly stood out. Even got spotted by someone I dont know while going through a town somewhere on the way to the rally. he worked out it was me, noticed that I was riding with two distinguished but unidentified oldfarty's.

Point Im making is that being highly visible is a helpful tool to add to your riding skills. It wont save you, only sheer bloody luck will do that sometimes, but it is still a useful tool. You cant rely on just a vest as tho its a magic spell that will 'keep' you safe. Only a tool