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Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road Recent News, political or military events, which may affect trip plans or routes. Personal and vehicle security, tips and questions.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #1  
Old 29 Oct 2002
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Hi Vis Waistcoats
Hi All

One for debate!

Have been commuting the last few months on some very busy roads in the UK doing about 70 miles per day.

Decided to buy a new black jacket for the winter. Although it has florsent seams, have been shocked by how often I don't get seen at night with it on. (They didn't have any colours in).

I found the biggest problem is cars driving so fast that they do not realise that you are not part of the car infront and then have to slam on the breaks before nearly tail ending you.

Got to the stage where I was getting cut up so often that I've borrowed a Hi Res waistcoat to go over the jacket.

So here I am at 34 "Dayglo Derek", so far have not been cut up anywhere near the amount before.

Out of curiosity had a look at the stats and found that you are 20% less likely to be involved in an accident with a hi Vis clothing on.

What are the best Hi Vis clothing within reason?

Julio
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  #2  
Old 29 Oct 2002
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Can't answer that one Julio, but can add that reflective tape - available in all colours including black - also makes a big difference at night. A few strips on the sides well worthwhile, that's where you're hardest to see, as well of course lots at the back. I have a red fluorescent strip for day and a reflective strip for night on the back of my mirrors - really stands out.

Add LED flashing brake light, and additional LED taillights, and you're about as good as you're going to get.

yes I have it all...

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Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
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  #3  
Old 30 Oct 2002
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What do you hear most? "Sorry, didn't saw you comming...". Seldom the biker is the who didn't see oncomming traffic.
So for me too it is all about making sure I am being noticed and that it is easier to get an idea about the speed I am riding.
Therefor:
* 2 Halogene foglights front
* 1 fog light on the tail end
* 2 little extra break light

My next jacket (to be ordered soon) will be flashy red. Helmet hell red! ....

One remark, I have noticed that there are big quality differences inbetween stripings. The ones we have in the firestation are great (sometimes we look like break dancers with the flashing bleu lights at night ;-). But the ones you buy in the warehouse are crap...

So wich brand is ok? How can I recognise a decent striping?

PS: the reason why it is so hard to make a judgement about the speed of a motorbike is because there is only 1 light-point. If there are 2 or three that form "a line" it becomes a lot easier for other people on the road to get an idea how fast you'll be up close and personal. I have noticed a big difference with the 2 fog lights in front. A total of 3 lightpoints always on.

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[This message has been edited by fireboomer (edited 30 October 2002).]
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  #4  
Old 30 Oct 2002
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I use a sleeved high vis vest which I got from work and can say that I notice the difference between when I am and am not wearing one.

I also find the dayglo yellow ones are better during the day than the dayglo orange ones.

You should be able to buy them from any industrial supplier...
I just checked on www.greenhams.com , among other stuff you can get a high vis waistcoat for £18-95.
Worth a look
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  #5  
Old 31 Oct 2002
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For striping, it's all about brand name - 3M makes excellent stuff.

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  #6  
Old 1 Nov 2002
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www.aerostich.com sells rolls of HIGH VIZ tape for your bike. I like to put some in broad strips across the back and sides of my cases.

Also, a Hi-Viz WHITE helmet does wonders.

-NewMexEd
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  #7  
Old 6 Nov 2002
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Hi Guys

I think that I have found the solution,

A "H-BELT" (2" Shoulders and Waist) 100% fluorescent and retroreflective. Fully adjustable. Colours - Yellow/Red/White.

This is visable in day and night which is a bonus, will not flap about and can be wiped clean when dirty. It has a join on the back between the shoulder straps to stop them falling down

Check the site out, saw a guy with one on last week and it did stand out. The company is GLO-MARKA that makes them.

They are going to have a stall at the Bike show in Birmingham UK on a stall

www.marketsquare.co.uk/ilfracombe/glomarka.htm

I going to buy one this week and will let you know how I get on with it.

Cheers

Julio
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  #8  
Old 29 Nov 2002
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A good jacket for visability is available from Hein Gericke, its comes in red, black or high viz yellow, I do about 600 mles a week and wear it every day, the front is not as bright as it was but it stll stands out, I used to use hi viz vests but always ended up loking like batman when the velco came undone. The hien gericke is the best for viz and weatherproofing

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  #9  
Old 6 Dec 2002
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I found the biggest problem is cars driving so fast that they do not realise that you are not part of the car infront and then have to slam on the breaks before nearly tail ending you.
--------------------------------

SOLAS-grade reflective tape is probably the most visible. I believe that 3M makes some but there are others. SOLAS is a standard used in marine safety. Can be found at most marine shops and some at Aerostich too, I believe. Applying some on the back and sides of your bike will make a huge difference.

hope this helps

Bruno
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  #10  
Old 6 Dec 2002
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Hi folks,

I've been riding every day for about 6 months now and with the coming in of the weather and light failing I took to wearing a hi-vis waist coat over my black hein-gericke jacket.

Bought it for about £15 from a work wear shop - like Alexanders.

It works!

I travel down the M62 every day through very slow and staionary traffic and the difference when approaching cars is great - they see you coming and move - more than when it was just my headlights.

The number of cars the also pull out to over take or catch you up mean that they see me a lot!!! earlier!!!!

OK - so I look like a numpty but as soon as I get my hands on some I'll be adding some to my top box - tape that is - and my alu panniers for the summer when touring again.

The nice thing is that it rolls up - fits in my jacket pocket so if it's a really nice day I can ride without it.

Would strongly reccomond it!

Tony.
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  #11  
Old 13 Dec 2002
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I see that Aerostich make a Hi-Vis jacket in the Darien range, and I have been "navel-gazing" over the decision of do I really want to wear one, I guess my question is does anyone out there own/tried the jacket and is it effective?

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