If you’re going to be riding a bicycle on the roads you need to DRESS FOR SUCCESS. Now I’m not talking about wearing a suit and tie or maybe a nice little pinafore. I’m not even talking cycling-centric clothing. You know the infamous “kit” -
Noooo. I’m talking about dressing for visibility. All to often I see people on bikes riding around doing their best to blend right in with the background. Hmmm, it’s dark as sin outside. What shall I wear? Oh! I know how about dark pants/shorts, a dark shirt and no lights. Yeah, that’s the ticket!
You know you’ve seen it – It’s midnight and there’s dude rolling down the road dressed all in black with no reflectors, no lights and a big ass sign that says ‘Kick Me!’
Now Trek and others have been promotion the ABC’s of being seen recently. Now there’s some quirky bullshit that others push that I can’t abide – little bitty LED lights that act as brake lights or the little turn signals you can put on your bike. Me? If you can’t see my big monkey arm sticking out signaling a turn – well then maybe you shouldn’t be driving.
Now on the A – B – Cs of being seen
A is for ALWAYS ON. Run some lights – front and back – day and night. Blinking during the day is good. Lots of studies out there that speak to the benefits of running lights during the day. You may not agree with lights during the day, but I think we can all agree that lights at night are a must…If not, maybe you shouldn’t be riding at night.
You know you’ve seen it – It’s midnight and there’s dude rolling down the road dressed all in black with no reflectors, no lights and a big ass sign that says ‘Kick Me!’
Now Trek and others have been promotion the ABC’s of being seen recently. Now there’s some quirky bullshit that others push that I can’t abide – little bitty LED lights that act as brake lights or the little turn signals you can put on your bike. Me? If you can’t see my big monkey arm sticking out signaling a turn – well then maybe you shouldn’t be driving.
Now on the A – B – Cs of being seen
A is for ALWAYS ON. Run some lights – front and back – day and night. Blinking during the day is good. Lots of studies out there that speak to the benefits of running lights during the day. You may not agree with lights during the day, but I think we can all agree that lights at night are a must…If not, maybe you shouldn’t be riding at night.
B is for BIO-MOTION. Bio-motion sounds all sciency and stuff. Bio-motion – put the bright stuff on your body parts that move. Your eyes and brain are geared to pick-up motion so help that person in the car see you. So put some bright colors on the parts of your body that are in motion – feet, angles, legs. During the day bright colors – at night reflective material. The running community has little LED lights that will clip right onto the heels of your shoes – very affordable (~$10.00). They will get your attention.
C is for CONTRAST. Wear contrasting colors. Now I’m not talking about dressing like a color-blind guy in dark closet. I’m talking about contrasting with the background. Bright colors, fluorescent colors during the day and at night you need reflective stuff.
Still here? When do most people get hit? AT NIGHT! As of 24 July, 2017, I know of nine (9) people on bicycles that have been killed in Maryland. Seven of those nine were hit between sunset and sunrise. Give yourself a fighting chance and be seen.
No comments:
Post a Comment