Photo from NYT article
This photo in a New York Times article shows a bicyclist riding with a reflectorized shirt, which shows up well in a photo taken with flash on the camera, but the bicyclist has NO HEADLIGHT.
The manufacturer of the shirt wouldn’t want to distract people from promotion of this (gasp) cool and different product which might just possibly Save Your Life, by decking the bicycle out with legally-required nighttime conspicuity equipment which would alert the pedestrian stepping off the curb, or the motorist backing out of a driveway.
Nor would the vaunted journalists at the Newspaper of Record bother to inform themselves that they are complicit in a potentially deadly conspicuity shell game.
Unfortunately our government has no effective way to slap down such promotions. At least two previous, very similar promotions of reflectorized fabric have occurred in the USA.
The article also includes an uncritical review of other reflectorized items, and of the Hovding inflatable bicycle helmet, which has failed US safety standards and which obviously will not work for collisions with overhead objects (tree branches and the like), as it depends on abrupt motion of the cyclist to trigger inflation.
As I wrote this, I had just returned home from a meeting on my bicycle, well after dark. Equipment: Bright Dosun LED headlight with shaped beam pattern; Union generator taillamp, but battery-powered with 2.4 watt bulb instead of the standard 0.6 watt bulb; 3″ diameter amber SAE automotive rear reflector; reflective material on the back of my Shimano SPD sandals; yellow non-reflective T-shirt and olive-green shorts; helmet without reflective material, not that I think additional reflective material is a bad idea as a supplement. Also, I obeyed the traffic law, used assertive lane positioning when appropriate, and a helmet-mounted rear-view mirror, which helps me time my merges into the travel lane. And here I am, safe and sound and grumpy as usual!
I thought the dismissal of the idea behind the “all reflector” CPSC worldview was old news. I don’t think high vis clothing replaced either active lighting, good cyclist position in traffic, lawful riding, situational awareness, or common sense. Of course the Times picture seems to ignore a lot in the interest of selling clothing….
The reason I referenced this page in the Times in that LCI discussion was not to extol riding without lights, but to point out to someone on the LCI list that one could find visibility assistance aside from looking like a rolling advertisement for neon cycling clothing. Probably a bad example offered on my part, but I was pretty busy at work and wanted to get back to my paying job.
Not that I personally mind being a rolling advertisement for neon cycling clothing, but it is in significant part for daytime riding. I have 2 commuter bikes, a quick light one and a heavy duty one, festooned with active lighting and reflectorized stuff.
Khal– sorry if I rubbed you the wrong way, and yes, I have nothing against looking good, but I was surprised that you did not yourself note that the promotion of the clothing was clueless/unethical. The dismissal of the all-reflector system is old news (1975, John Forester) but repeated all-reflector nighttime conspicuity promotions are whack-a-mole business. The Times article (also in seallowing the Hovding inflactable helmet promotion) is too typical of the level of thinking about bicycling in the mainstream media.
You are right, John. I just wasn’t being careful enough.
The Rolling Stones’ bike safety message from 1967: http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=you+tube+something+happened+to+me+yesterday&qpvt=you+tube+something+happened+to+me+yesterday&FORM=VDRE
“So, if you’re out tonight, don’t forget, if you’re on your bike, wear white…amen.”
Well, Cream had Disraeli Gears…
In all seriousness, though . . . . Many years ago I was given a Performance-branded “retroreflective” cycling vest. Thank goodness it is yellow and not the black or blue version. Under the headlights, it gives about as bright a reflection as a white t-shirt does. The rider in the photo might be better off with a white “business casual” short-sleeved shirt than the one he is wearing. White might show him to a driver even if the shirt’s not right in front of the lights. (to be sure, better off still with front and rear lights)
Reflective clothing can indeed be helpful. But as you pointed out, and I agree, headlights are much more needed. And, of course, complying with laws and practicing courtesy may still be the best things to do on the road.