Batavia Bicycle Commission on Facebook

from Batavia Bicycle Commission Link to FB

Wear Light Colored Or Reflective Clothing :: When headed out for a bicycle ride during the day, consider wearing light colored clothing. White and yellow clothing has been shown to provide greater visibility of daytime cyclists and detection by motorists compared to darker colors (such as grey and black)(1). Fluorescent colored clothing provides maximum daytime visibility and detection, with fluorescent red, orange and yellow colors being the most effective1. Fluorescent high-vis clothing reflects the light from the sun allowing it to be highly visible during daylight. Once night falls, light colored and fluorescent clothing no longer provide a benefit for visibility. Under these conditions, reflective clothing will increase the visibility of cyclists by reflecting light from vehicle headlights and other light sources. When looking for reflective clothing options, look for items with large reflective areas. The American National Standards Institute recommends the minimum reflective area for road crew on roads less than 50mph be at least 201 in2 (12in X 16.75in)(2). While fewer cyclists ride after dark, the highest rate of cycling related fatalities occurs during this time(3). Whether you are an avid or recreational cyclist, if you plan on riding after sunset, you should consider adding a reflective vest or jacket to your cycling gear. (1) Kwan, I., & Mapstone, J. (2004). Visibility aids for pedestrians and cyclists: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 36(3), 305-312. (2) SafetyGear Corporation. Explaining the Classes of an ANSI Safety Vest. https://ift.tt/32A4bcx (3) Jaermark, S., Gregersen, N. P., Linderoth, B. 1991. The use of bicycle lights #BikeBatavia, #BikeSafety, #ShareTheRoad