Discussion
Passed a chap late this afternoon, going well, all the gear and lovely bike - all good then, apart from the fact he was clad head to toe in black, looked like a Navy Seal. Black helmet, black winter bibs black gloves, black boots etc etc Even the bike was black.
OK so he had lights but given the choice why would you cycle on a busy fast country A road with the daylight fading dressed all in black?
I don't go out clad like a dayglo bunny but my winter kit is deliberately NOT dark..!
Maybe it's just me but is it not asking for trouble?!
Sigh.
OK so he had lights but given the choice why would you cycle on a busy fast country A road with the daylight fading dressed all in black?
I don't go out clad like a dayglo bunny but my winter kit is deliberately NOT dark..!
Maybe it's just me but is it not asking for trouble?!
Sigh.
I agree it’s not clever, but most of my kit is black. Not by choice particularly, it just is. Probably a consequence of cheaply buying different things from different places at different times and trying to avoid a mish mash of weird colours.
That said I have a bright yellow helmet and try to wear a coloured bib or top...
That said I have a bright yellow helmet and try to wear a coloured bib or top...
Plenty of studies have shown colour of kit is pretty much irrelevant as it easy merges into the surroundings. White tends to offer the greatest contrast.
What has been proven to make a difference is fluorescent panels on clothing, also why plenty advocate the use of lights in daytime.
As above, if they cannot see your lights, you're f
ked anyway.
What has been proven to make a difference is fluorescent panels on clothing, also why plenty advocate the use of lights in daytime.
As above, if they cannot see your lights, you're f
ked anyway. All my winter gear is black aswell - and one of my bikes is also black (MTB though so limited road useage, just to get to the off-road) but always have decent lights on, not sure wearing yellow or orange would really help in the dark anyway?!
Black jacket has reflective bits on it which probably help - but lights are the crucial element.
Black jacket has reflective bits on it which probably help - but lights are the crucial element.
sjg said:
I saw a black car once. Paintwork all black, wheels all black, windows tinted black. Of course it had lights fitted, but it was a MIRACLE that no-one crashed into it once the daylight started fading.
True story.
Manufacturers shouldn't be allowed to make them True story.
https://www.jaguar.co.uk/black-edition.html
http://www.mansory.com/en/range-cars/s-class-coupe...
In all seriousness, I rarely buy black kit for road riding, preferring something with a bit of contrast, although even dressing like the b
d love child of a Christmas tree and a traffic cone doesn't stop some people pulling out in front of you.I regularly see my local lollipop lady dressed head to foot in dayglow, leaning into the road with a massive stick trying to catch the attention of passing cars. The drivers pass by staring straight ahead completely obvious to her presence.
A sobering sight when you are a cyclist as it demonstrates some peoples complete lack of awareness.
A sobering sight when you are a cyclist as it demonstrates some peoples complete lack of awareness.
Edited by dogbucket on Tuesday 22 January 11:17
dogbucket said:
I regularly see my local lollipop lady dressed head to foot in dayglow, leaning into the road with a massive stick trying to catch the attention of passing cars. The drivers pass by staring straight ahead completely obvious to her presence.
A sobering sight when you are a cyclist as it demonstrates some peoples complete lack of awareness.
I expect they know she is there. They just dont want to stop. A sobering sight when you are a cyclist as it demonstrates some peoples complete lack of awareness.
When I used to commute I didn't notice much difference in getting noticed between wearing a hi-viz jacket and wearing black. People who are looking will see you, people who aren't, won't.
That said I do wish that more manufacturers would fit reflective strips and panels into their kit, you really can't find them anywhere if you want something decent.
That said I do wish that more manufacturers would fit reflective strips and panels into their kit, you really can't find them anywhere if you want something decent.
Black bike and clothing here offset with dayglow yellow gloves / shoe covers/ socks and white helmet. Plenty of lights as well circa 1200 lumen on the front and a couple of hundred on the back in various flashing phases.
I regularly meet cycling ninjas on the way to work all in black with maybe a 50 lumen front light.....crazy people.
I regularly meet cycling ninjas on the way to work all in black with maybe a 50 lumen front light.....crazy people.
idiotgap said:
I stopped wearing all black after I saw this image provided by the club I ride with. I wouldn't want to be the driver for whom a cyclist like this suddenly emerged from the shadows.
And the rider in black would be more visible than most once out of the shadow.In bright daylight light coloured clothing is less visible, so that picture is bascally tripe.
The club responsible need to get a grip.
Brads67 said:
And the rider in black would be more visible than most once out of the shadow.
In bright daylight light coloured clothing is less visible, so that picture is bascally tripe.
The club responsible need to get a grip.
+1 on that.In bright daylight light coloured clothing is less visible, so that picture is bascally tripe.
The club responsible need to get a grip.
No replacement for 1000+ lumens front and decent light from the rear day and night IMO. Plus reflectors on spokes and jacket.
bmwmike said:
+1 on that.
No replacement for 1000+ lumens front and decent light from the rear day and night IMO. Plus reflectors on spokes and jacket.
I'm interested in this idea that plain black is more visible out of the shadows, how does the logic work there?No replacement for 1000+ lumens front and decent light from the rear day and night IMO. Plus reflectors on spokes and jacket.
Adding lights and reflective spokes, contrasting/reflective panels etc. all sound like good ideas not inconsistent with the club's line.
idiotgap said:
I'm interested in this idea that plain black is more visible out of the shadows, how does the logic work there?
Adding lights and reflective spokes, contrasting/reflective panels etc. all sound like good ideas not inconsistent with the club's line.
Hold a black plate against a light background and compare it to a white plate against the same background. The black will stand out more as there is more contrast between the two .Adding lights and reflective spokes, contrasting/reflective panels etc. all sound like good ideas not inconsistent with the club's line.
I’ve found out, through bitter experience, that the most effective clothing to wear on my bikes, is black for the most part, but with bright reflective high contrast stuff on anything that moves. So I’ll wear majority dark / black kit, with bright socks and boots, and gloves. It’s proved to be more effective than bright colours all over, with no contrasting bits, and not concentrating the contrasting coloured kit on any bits that move. All over colour, is as bad as all over black, because of the way human vision and brains process what’s actually there.
sjg said:
I saw a black car once. Paintwork all black, wheels all black, windows tinted black. Of course it had lights fitted, but it was a MIRACLE that no-one crashed into it once the daylight started fading.
True story.
My Dad once told me, in all seriousness I think, that green cars were dangerous because they blended into the hedgerows etc :-/True story.
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