There was a great british research project a few years ago on what makes a cyclist visible to drivers and the jersey color was almost irrelevant - just like the lights front and rear need to blink to get noticed by drivers, the only clothing that drivers noticed was if it was moving. So your shoes and socks are the only part of the body or bike frame that is likely to get "seen" by a car driver as they move as you peddle. I use bright yellow socks now whenever cycling on roads and don't worry much about the rest of my clothing color.
Interesting. I have been using a bright yellow jersey and the blinks lights like shown in this video. And a 2nd blinks in the rear, on a Varia radar unit. But I don’t always use bright socks but I get your point. I do like the ‘obnoxiousness’ of having two blinks red lights in the rear, that are not in sync. Hard for those to be missed.
I have rear lights, and front lights. Got hit by a car once, said I was in her way, even though she had a red light, I had a green light. Second time I was almost hit, when a car ran a stop sign, again said it was my fault for being in her way. As soon as people get behind the wheel of a car, they turn into instant morons.
Unfortunately too much truth there. So Cal drivers are typically pretty aggressive. Just goes with the 'territory' I guess. We had a rider get hit by an 80 year old lady in a new Corvette...just complete lack of right of way. Rider bounces off the hood...THE HOOD!. Not badly hurt but broken hand. Driver swears it DID NOT HAPPEN. She was actually angry at being stopped by the other riders in the parking lot she was pulling into. Sigh. gg
@@oldguyandabike go to Dallas/Fort Worth if you want to see driving aggression. Even drivers in Jersey can learn a thing or two about aggressive driving from a Texan.
One of two things, on my bicycle, I'm either invisible or a target. I rode Motorcycles for 50 years and have had more close calls on my bicycle in (1) year than the MC in (50). In regards to the rails to trails, since the advent of e-bikes, it's 100% more dangerous. It's the difference in speeds and people using the trails. I'm pedaling at a average of 11-12mph, E-bikes go by at 20-30mph and people are walking at 2-3 mph. Throw in 6' or longer leashes, small and large dogs and older people with challenged hearing and you have a recipe for disaster. This is enhanced due to the trail being approximately 10' wide, surrounded by trees, blocking view lines and deer moving through all the time. Geez, what could happen??
Thanks for getting this out there. I'm a big fan of Knog. I rode motorcycles since I was 16. My motorbikes always had head and tail lights 24/7. I now ride bicycles. So, imo, having lights on bicycles just makes sense.
100% agree with you on this topic. My non-negotiables for road riding are a 330 lumen rear Blinkey, I use the night rider omega 330. Paired with the raveman FR160 front light that mounts under my Garmin. anything but all black or dark blue, and I swear by a rearview mirror that clips on my glasses. It has saved me a few times and I never leave home without it. The mirror cost like $12 making it the cheapest thing on me when I ride, but the most valuable in my opinion. Great video, as always. You have a new fan from Long Island, New York!
Mr's Grannygear always rides with a bar end mounted mirror on her bikes as she has issues turning her head on the road. I have not succumbed to the mirror yet, but it is a good idea. gg
Oh yes, the rear-view mirror myth. I ran cycling tours for 3 decades so have PLENTY of experience in the support van watching clients on the road from behind. Watching a truck pass them riding single-file on a two-lane road, almost every time the ones with the rear-views would exclaim - "That truck almost hit me!" while the non rear-view riders didn't notice a thing. NOBODY was EVER (or almost) hit, but the rear-view users freaked-out time and time again. Does that make cycling fun? Not in my opinion. I never hear stories about how someone dove off the road in the nick-of-time to avoid being hit by something they saw approaching because they had a rear-view mirror... but plenty of vague "It saved my life" claims.
A few years ago Bontrager released a safety video pointing out that the best place to put rear lights (and bright colors) is on parts that MOVE, i.e., your feet. I found rechargeable flashing LED lights (Apace) that I clip to the tops of the rear of my socks or booties, so they draw attention by going up and down as I pedal. Alas not very waterproof, maybe someone will come out with more waterproof ones. I use these in addition to red flashing tail and white flashing front lights. Another plus for flashing lights is that they burn far less battery than solid lights, so last longer. Here in CT, we have a lot of tree shadows that hide cyclists even if they are wearing bright colors. Yes I wear bright kit when I can get it. Unfortunately manufacturers prefer to make winter kit in BLACK!!!
Not sure why this popped up on my feed, but it's a great video covering an important topic. Yes, there are a bunch of distracted, whacko drivers out there who have zero respect for cyclists, so that's why it's so important to highlight what cyclists can do to enhance their chances of not being hit on the road. I would add a few other considerations: 1. I see too many cyclists wearing earbuds while cycling on city streets where there are no bike lanes. I want to hear the traffic approaching me so I can be prepared. 2. I've also see cyclists on those same city streets riding hands-free and texting on their phones. 3. Use bicycle infrastructure when it's provided. We have a four-lane divided highway running along the coast with a speed limit of 65 mph, and there's a beautiful two-lane, paved bike path separated by 50-100 feet from the highway. Yet some cyclists still ride on the shoulder of the highway, with traffic whizzing by at 65-70 mph just feet from them. Future Darwin Award recipients.
Good discussion on safety. As I do not happen to own cold weather bright yellow clothing, I will ride with a bright yellow construction vest over my cold weather clothing.
New cyclist, but as a 60 yo old lifelong motorcyclist, conspicuity has always been of keen interest to me so have done a LOT of research on the subject over the last 50 years or so. And you are spot on about black, or other colors that may as well be camouflage as they blend into the background and, like camouflage, make you INVISIBLE. Hi-Viz yellow/green is the most visible color to the human eye and stands out against most all common backgrounds. All of my cycling jerseys are a hi-viz yellow or green, and my most commonly worn motorcycling jackets are the same. While purely anecdotal, my observation over MANY years is that it flat WORKS. Think about your background... Do you want to blend in, and thus be invisible? Sexy? Are you trying to get laid, or stay alive? Wear colors that get you NOTICED!
Excellent video thank you... Totally agree with every thing you said, I have read that a blinking light to get attention and a constant rear light to provide distance is the best way according to a European study, And as someone else pointed out. A moving light like on your helmet or ankle or pedal is also a very good idea. I have a very small battery bank about the size of your thumb and it's connected to my Trek Flair rear light and it lasts for 72 hours continues run time. Never wear a black rain jacket...
I have to tell you, on Dec. 31 last year, I had my red strobe blinking, my bright neon yellow jersey and I got ran over. The onus will always be on the cyclist. The excuse always is I didn’t see you. However, at least when you get hit, you will know you did the best you could.
Right, Jay....like I said earlier in another comment...it's like eating healthy to tip the odds in your favor. No guarantees, but the alternative is results of eating badly (like most Americans) is pretty predictable. Doing the best you could is pretty easy. gg
NOTHING will make mofo's in cars look WTF they are going instead of at their "device"! Except maybe the cops giving a s__t and writing some citations to these morons. If the blinky lights, high-viz and the rest of it makes you feel good, knock yourself out! But don't get caught up in the "blame the victim" crap. Do motorists run into the back of other cars, despite flashing brake lights brighter than anything you can stick on your bike? Hell yes! Because they're not looking WTF they're going. It's NOT the cyclist's fault drivers of cars don't look where they're going anymore than it's the fault of pedestrians crossing the street. The old "I never saw him"? excuse has nothing to do with how many lights you do or don't have...because they're simply NOT looking where they are going. What else are they gonna say? "Yes, I saw him, but I ran him over anyway."? I get tired of these kinds of messages...making me feel like it's MY fault if some a-hole runs me over because I don't have blinky lights, high-viz and the rest of it!!!
"However, at least when you get hit, you will know you did the best you could." They call it being "dead right" but I've never known it to make it hurt less for you or your survivors.
Same here. Strobe lights, hi viz green clothes and bike is high viz green. Still have cars cut me off all the time.. If you're on a bike, you gotta ride ultra defensive all the time.
@@ttb1513 I have the opposite problem . With two bikes and two sets of front lights they will turn on unless I disable them. If not the batteries drain.
@@ttb1513 sorry...it's not a function I can use...Wahoo user. As well, I just turn it on and leave it on, flashing itself proudly. Unless I stop for coffee, etc. gg
Hi Old Guy. Greetings from England. You have some great videos on your channel. I also have the Bontrager lights and can recommend them. Only downside is that the batteries need to be charged quite often, but that is the trade off with them being so small. Your video about the mullet groupset has got me thinking as I'm about to buy my first gravel bike. What is the brand of jacket you wear in that video? It looks really cool in the burnt orange colour.
Great content. I always question how much of a difference all this makes because people are more distracted than ever these days. I wear Rapha's "Dark Yellow" tops and run Exposure TraceR front light and Garmin Radar. The Radar is great for being proactive when alerted to cars because I will move further over.
Yeah, I know what you mean. Think of it this way. Eating healthy does not guarantee you will not get cancer or some other bad thing, but it moves the needle in your favor for a life with better expectations of health into your later years. It's kind of like that. gg
I'm at the east coast; everything is very green here from late April thru October. Neon yellow does not provide a strong contrast to green. I think orange and even lighter blue work better. A rear blinky is a must on road rides. A Garmin Varia is better. However, I do very little road riding these days; I mainly stick to gravel, bike trails and XC.
In my testing, I can see those day-glo yellow shirts further away than I can the brightest of blinky lights. Even better is stuff designed for road construction workers with the reflective tapes on it on top of day glo yellow. I have a blinky light on the back of my helmet, a hunter orange helmet, a Garmin varia radar blinky light, and only wear day glo yellow jerseys. I also have an off road mountain bike headlight that flashes like a strobe light. My goal is to give the people around me seizures.
I wish a green or purple light was common for bikes... like as a side marker light or something. It's surprising how often bike lights get lost in a sea of car headlights in the dark. It would be nice to have something that differentiates bikes from every other white light out there.
It's usually in winter (when it's dark at rush hour) that I almost pull into a crosswalk in front of a biker. And I'm thinking, "Man, if I didn't see that guy who the hell can?" Kinda thinking if there's some color we all agree on, then drivers will just learn to associate pink, green, purple... whatever with bikes.
Visibility is about contrast with the enviroment - on a bright day black is very contrasty - at night it is invisible. In total darkness no color helps - lights and reflective is needed.
Funny...that is the second way I have been instructed to say that name...both are different. I have spoken to some of the Trek folks and they seem to be as 'confused' as I seem to be. I think I will just say Trek from now on. :) gg
Honestly, I just do my best to ride the bike trail. Currently I have to cross one major road to get there. Might try running blinking lights and my old construction vest.....since I don't run a jersey anyways. Just bought a rare pink bike and I always liked bright colors so that part was easy for me. A good reminder, since I am not always thinking about that.
Go pink or go home! The wife had one of her worst crashes on a bike path where a rider crossed over the center line into her lane on the exit of a blind corner. I would rather ride the road than a busy bike path with walkers and joggers and ear buds, dogs on retractable leashes, and riders who just are not very good at riding. Thankfully our bike paths are not THAT busy and have a section on the 'shoulder' for non-cyclists. But I do understand the sentiment and we have a great bike path system where we live. gg
There was a great british research project a few years ago on what makes a cyclist visible to drivers and the jersey color was almost irrelevant - just like the lights front and rear need to blink to get noticed by drivers, the only clothing that drivers noticed was if it was moving. So your shoes and socks are the only part of the body or bike frame that is likely to get "seen" by a car driver as they move as you peddle. I use bright yellow socks now whenever cycling on roads and don't worry much about the rest of my clothing color.
Interesting.
I have been using a bright yellow jersey and the blinks lights like shown in this video. And a 2nd blinks in the rear, on a Varia radar unit. But I don’t always use bright socks but I get your point. I do like the ‘obnoxiousness’ of having two blinks red lights in the rear, that are not in sync. Hard for those to be missed.
I have rear lights, and front lights. Got hit by a car once, said I was in her way, even though she had a red light, I had a green light. Second time I was almost hit, when a car ran a stop sign, again said it was my fault for being in her way.
As soon as people get behind the wheel of a car, they turn into instant morons.
Unfortunately too much truth there. So Cal drivers are typically pretty aggressive. Just goes with the 'territory' I guess. We had a rider get hit by an 80 year old lady in a new Corvette...just complete lack of right of way. Rider bounces off the hood...THE HOOD!. Not badly hurt but broken hand. Driver swears it DID NOT HAPPEN. She was actually angry at being stopped by the other riders in the parking lot she was pulling into.
Sigh.
gg
@@oldguyandabike go to Dallas/Fort Worth if you want to see driving aggression. Even drivers in Jersey can learn a thing or two about aggressive driving from a Texan.
One of two things, on my bicycle, I'm either invisible or a target. I rode Motorcycles for 50 years and have had more close calls on my bicycle in (1) year than the MC in (50). In regards to the rails to trails, since the advent of e-bikes, it's 100% more dangerous. It's the difference in speeds and people using the trails. I'm pedaling at a average of 11-12mph, E-bikes go by at 20-30mph and people are walking at 2-3 mph. Throw in 6' or longer leashes, small and large dogs and older people with challenged hearing and you have a recipe for disaster. This is enhanced due to the trail being approximately 10' wide, surrounded by trees, blocking view lines and deer moving through all the time. Geez, what could happen??
Thanks for getting this out there. I'm a big fan of Knog. I rode motorcycles since I was 16. My motorbikes always had head and tail lights 24/7. I now ride bicycles. So, imo, having lights on bicycles just makes sense.
100% agree with you on this topic. My non-negotiables for road riding are a 330 lumen rear Blinkey, I use the night rider omega 330. Paired with the raveman FR160 front light that mounts under my Garmin. anything but all black or dark blue, and I swear by a rearview mirror that clips on my glasses. It has saved me a few times and I never leave home without it. The mirror cost like $12 making it the cheapest thing on me when I ride, but the most valuable in my opinion. Great video, as always. You have a new fan from Long Island, New York!
Mr's Grannygear always rides with a bar end mounted mirror on her bikes as she has issues turning her head on the road. I have not succumbed to the mirror yet, but it is a good idea.
gg
Oh yes, the rear-view mirror myth. I ran cycling tours for 3 decades so have PLENTY of experience in the support van watching clients on the road from behind. Watching a truck pass them riding single-file on a two-lane road, almost every time the ones with the rear-views would exclaim - "That truck almost hit me!" while the non rear-view riders didn't notice a thing. NOBODY was EVER (or almost) hit, but the rear-view users freaked-out time and time again. Does that make cycling fun? Not in my opinion. I never hear stories about how someone dove off the road in the nick-of-time to avoid being hit by something they saw approaching because they had a rear-view mirror... but plenty of vague "It saved my life" claims.
The Bontrager lights are awesome. The Ion also has a mode that goes from automatic blink to solid light when it gets dark. Great video, Granny Gear.
It does! I seldom need that but it does do that as well. Thanks for mentioning that.
gg
A few years ago Bontrager released a safety video pointing out that the best place to put rear lights (and bright colors) is on parts that MOVE, i.e., your feet. I found rechargeable flashing LED lights (Apace) that I clip to the tops of the rear of my socks or booties, so they draw attention by going up and down as I pedal. Alas not very waterproof, maybe someone will come out with more waterproof ones. I use these in addition to red flashing tail and white flashing front lights. Another plus for flashing lights is that they burn far less battery than solid lights, so last longer.
Here in CT, we have a lot of tree shadows that hide cyclists even if they are wearing bright colors. Yes I wear bright kit when I can get it. Unfortunately manufacturers prefer to make winter kit in BLACK!!!
Have you seen the Redshift Arclight line of pedals?
redshiftsports.com/collections/arclight-pedals
gg
Not sure why this popped up on my feed, but it's a great video covering an important topic. Yes, there are a bunch of distracted, whacko drivers out there who have zero respect for cyclists, so that's why it's so important to highlight what cyclists can do to enhance their chances of not being hit on the road. I would add a few other considerations:
1. I see too many cyclists wearing earbuds while cycling on city streets where there are no bike lanes. I want to hear the traffic approaching me so I can be prepared.
2. I've also see cyclists on those same city streets riding hands-free and texting on their phones.
3. Use bicycle infrastructure when it's provided. We have a four-lane divided highway running along the coast with a speed limit of 65 mph, and there's a beautiful two-lane, paved bike path separated by 50-100 feet from the highway. Yet some cyclists still ride on the shoulder of the highway, with traffic whizzing by at 65-70 mph just feet from them. Future Darwin Award recipients.
3 good points.
gg
Good discussion on safety. As I do not happen to own cold weather bright yellow clothing, I will ride with a bright yellow construction vest over my cold weather clothing.
New cyclist, but as a 60 yo old lifelong motorcyclist, conspicuity has always been of keen interest to me so have done a LOT of research on the subject over the last 50 years or so. And you are spot on about black, or other colors that may as well be camouflage as they blend into the background and, like camouflage, make you INVISIBLE. Hi-Viz yellow/green is the most visible color to the human eye and stands out against most all common backgrounds. All of my cycling jerseys are a hi-viz yellow or green, and my most commonly worn motorcycling jackets are the same. While purely anecdotal, my observation over MANY years is that it flat WORKS. Think about your background... Do you want to blend in, and thus be invisible? Sexy? Are you trying to get laid, or stay alive? Wear colors that get you NOTICED!
Yep.
gg
Excellent video thank you... Totally agree with every thing you said, I have read that a blinking light to get attention and a constant rear light to provide distance is the best way according to a European study, And as someone else pointed out. A moving light like on your helmet or ankle or pedal is also a very good idea. I have a very small battery bank about the size of your thumb and it's connected to my Trek Flair rear light and it lasts for 72 hours continues run time. Never wear a black rain jacket...
I have to tell you, on Dec. 31 last year, I had my red strobe blinking, my bright neon yellow jersey and I got ran over. The onus will always be on the cyclist. The excuse always is I didn’t see you. However, at least when you get hit, you will know you did the best you could.
Right, Jay....like I said earlier in another comment...it's like eating healthy to tip the odds in your favor. No guarantees, but the alternative is results of eating badly (like most Americans) is pretty predictable.
Doing the best you could is pretty easy.
gg
NOTHING will make mofo's in cars look WTF they are going instead of at their "device"! Except maybe the cops giving a s__t and writing some citations to these morons. If the blinky lights, high-viz and the rest of it makes you feel good, knock yourself out! But don't get caught up in the "blame the victim" crap. Do motorists run into the back of other cars, despite flashing brake lights brighter than anything you can stick on your bike? Hell yes! Because they're not looking WTF they're going. It's NOT the cyclist's fault drivers of cars don't look where they're going anymore than it's the fault of pedestrians crossing the street.
The old "I never saw him"? excuse has nothing to do with how many lights you do or don't have...because they're simply NOT looking where they are going. What else are they gonna say? "Yes, I saw him, but I ran him over anyway."? I get tired of these kinds of messages...making me feel like it's MY fault if some a-hole runs me over because I don't have blinky lights, high-viz and the rest of it!!!
"However, at least when you get hit, you will know you did the best you could."
They call it being "dead right" but I've never known it to make it hurt less for you or your survivors.
Same here. Strobe lights, hi viz green clothes and bike is high viz green. Still have cars cut me off all the time..
If you're on a bike, you gotta ride ultra defensive all the time.
If bright colors made a difference in safety on the road then why aren’t all vehicles painted chartreuse? 😃
Aliexpress has a one by LTWOO 11s 4:46 MTB groupset for sale as of Nov.1st. $70! I do not need it, but I sure as heck WANT to build a gravel bike😂
I'll never understand roadies who wear dark colors and don't run any lights. They're just asking for trouble.
The Bontrager lights you show also can be controlled by my Garmin Edge 1040.
You re right...I do not do that so I often forget about that feature. Thanks!
gg
I wish I knew how to make my Bontrager lights ALWAYS turn on when my garmin 530 is turned on. It has worked sometimes, but rarely. Any tips?
@@ttb1513 I have the opposite problem . With two bikes and two sets of front lights they will turn on unless I disable them. If not the batteries drain.
@@mkenyon7429 Ah. I see. So I just need to get a 2nd bike and 2nd set of lights, and everything will turn on?!!! 🤣
@@ttb1513 sorry...it's not a function I can use...Wahoo user. As well, I just turn it on and leave it on, flashing itself proudly. Unless I stop for coffee, etc.
gg
Hi Old Guy. Greetings from England. You have some great videos on your channel. I also have the Bontrager lights and can recommend them. Only downside is that the batteries need to be charged quite often, but that is the trade off with them being so small. Your video about the mullet groupset has got me thinking as I'm about to buy my first gravel bike. What is the brand of jacket you wear in that video? It looks really cool in the burnt orange colour.
I bet that is the Ornot Mens Micro Climate Jacket. Love that thing...did a review on it.
gg
Great content. I always question how much of a difference all this makes because people are more distracted than ever these days. I wear Rapha's "Dark Yellow" tops and run Exposure TraceR front light and Garmin Radar. The Radar is great for being proactive when alerted to cars because I will move further over.
Yeah, I know what you mean. Think of it this way. Eating healthy does not guarantee you will not get cancer or some other bad thing, but it moves the needle in your favor for a life with better expectations of health into your later years. It's kind of like that.
gg
Never joined the Johnny Cash cycling team ,always try to be as visible as possible. More frightened of cars in front of me than the ones behind.
I'm at the east coast; everything is very green here from late April thru October. Neon yellow does not provide a strong contrast to green. I think orange and even lighter blue work better. A rear blinky is a must on road rides. A Garmin Varia is better. However, I do very little road riding these days; I mainly stick to gravel, bike trails and XC.
Good point as I am not in the land of green and our roads are typically very OPEN in nature and surrounded by brown most of the time.
gg
In my testing, I can see those day-glo yellow shirts further away than I can the brightest of blinky lights. Even better is stuff designed for road construction workers with the reflective tapes on it on top of day glo yellow. I have a blinky light on the back of my helmet, a hunter orange helmet, a Garmin varia radar blinky light, and only wear day glo yellow jerseys. I also have an off road mountain bike headlight that flashes like a strobe light. My goal is to give the people around me seizures.
I wish a green or purple light was common for bikes... like as a side marker light or something. It's surprising how often bike lights get lost in a sea of car headlights in the dark. It would be nice to have something that differentiates bikes from every other white light out there.
Interesting idea but that requires driver education. And you know how that goes...
gg
It's usually in winter (when it's dark at rush hour) that I almost pull into a crosswalk in front of a biker. And I'm thinking, "Man, if I didn't see that guy who the hell can?"
Kinda thinking if there's some color we all agree on, then drivers will just learn to associate pink, green, purple... whatever with bikes.
Visibility is about contrast with the enviroment - on a bright day black is very contrasty - at night it is invisible. In total darkness no color helps - lights and reflective is needed.
I guess if I rode in the snow. :) A lot of our roads here are dappled shadow, so in and out of that that is not black friendly.
gg
Couldn't agree more on the helmet thing. Black helmets make cyclists disappear. Even if you're a cyclist driving and looking for them.
Paint your bike yellow, wear yellow and you can feel like a winner.
Bon. Tray. Ger.
Funny...that is the second way I have been instructed to say that name...both are different. I have spoken to some of the Trek folks and they seem to be as 'confused' as I seem to be.
I think I will just say Trek from now on. :)
gg
Honestly, I just do my best to ride the bike trail. Currently I have to cross one major road to get there. Might try running blinking lights and my old construction vest.....since I don't run a jersey anyways.
Just bought a rare pink bike and I always liked bright colors so that part was easy for me. A good reminder, since I am not always thinking about that.
Go pink or go home! The wife had one of her worst crashes on a bike path where a rider crossed over the center line into her lane on the exit of a blind corner. I would rather ride the road than a busy bike path with walkers and joggers and ear buds, dogs on retractable leashes, and riders who just are not very good at riding. Thankfully our bike paths are not THAT busy and have a section on the 'shoulder' for non-cyclists.
But I do understand the sentiment and we have a great bike path system where we live.
gg
The "B" fell off of your youTube channel's name. 🫵🏻