NBR - Reflective Apparel

[mgermano]

I know there are a number of Modern Buddy'ers that are into safety gear. I just found about a local Pittsburgh company that's trying to make "fashionable" reflective clothes and thought I'd pass along the links:

http://shop.ridewithfiks.com/

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nic ... e-clothing


I promise I have no affiliation with this company, and probably will never purchase any of this. However, I'm pretty sure I've seen a couple topics here about reflective clothes/tape, and so I thought it might be helpful to pass this along. Although, these are t-shirts, not armored jackets, so may not be that helpful.

[TVB]

On my scooter, I'm more concerned about possibly hitting the pavement than being seen by motorists (which isn't so much of a problem thanks to the scooter's lights), but on my bicycle... this could be worthwhile gear.

[Drum Pro]

I like what this guy is trying to do and everyone has to start somewhere so I comend him for that.

[Stormswift]

Honestly, I think reflective clothing and markings should be required by law for all bicyclists who choose to ride streets. I am sure I am not the only one who came out of a blind curve at legal speed limit only to see at the last second cyclist paddling at 5 mph wearing grey or black outfit with itty bitty tail light that can only be see if you are directly behind them, not from the side. I started avoiding certain streets at night because of that. Which is kind of ironic. It is my 3 vehicle registration / taxes and those paid by other "cagers" that pay for the road repairs. The least that the laws should do is make bright reflective clothing mandatory for the cyclists.

[michelle_7728]

I understand your sentiment, but I think we already have waaaaaayyyyy too many laws and regulations.

I think it behooves anyone near or on a road--be it a pedestrian or a 2-wheeler (powered or unpowered)--to be as visible as possible, but I don't think we need to encourage big brother to start dictating what can and cannot be worn.

[Quo Vadimus]

I am sure I am not the only one who came out of a blind curve at legal speed limit only to see at the last second cyclist paddling at 5 mph wearing grey or black outfit with itty bitty tail light that can only be see if you are directly behind them, not from the side.

While I am Mr. Safety and urge all users of exposed transportation to wear as much safety gear as they can find and afford, just a reminder that a speed limit sign does not indicate the speed at which it is always safe and legal to drive. Most, if not all, states have laws similar to these, from Maryland:

§21–801.
(b) At all times, the driver of a vehicle on a highway shall control the speed of the vehicle as necessary to avoid colliding with any person or any vehicle or other conveyance that, in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care, is on or entering the highway.

(e) Consistent with the requirements of this section, the driver of a vehicle shall drive at an appropriate, reduced speed when approaching and going around a curve.

[Stormswift]

I am sure I am not the only one who came out of a blind curve at legal speed limit only to see at the last second cyclist paddling at 5 mph wearing grey or black outfit with itty bitty tail light that can only be see if you are directly behind them, not from the side.

While I am Mr. Safety and urge all users of exposed transportation to wear as much safety gear as they can find and afford, just a reminder that a speed limit sign does not indicate the speed at which it is always safe and legal to drive. Most, if not all, states have laws similar to these, from Maryland:

§21–801.
(b) At all times, the driver of a vehicle on a highway shall control the speed of the vehicle as necessary to avoid colliding with any person or any vehicle or other conveyance that, in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care, is on or entering the highway.

(e) Consistent with the requirements of this section, the driver of a vehicle shall drive at an appropriate, reduced speed when approaching and going around a curve.

"Appropriate and reduced " means you as a driver are automatically at fault even if you crawl at 5 mph because the law does not specify what exactly appropriate and reduced is. Also they are talking about highway, not 35 mph street after dark with blind curves. And yes I am one of those drivers who does reduce speed before entering the curve
I am well familliar with what the law says...however something tells me that many of cyclists are not, at least not with the part that reminds them not to impede traffic.
Sad really. Requiring folks who ride the streets to take written part of motorcycle safety course would save a lot of lives. The way the law stands in Maryland it puts responcibility for safety solely on the drivers and none on the cyclists. I see people every day without helmets. Talking on their cell phones. Still riding on sidewalks even though we all paid millions to have bike lanes painted all over the city...It is not because most flagrantly set out to disregard traffic laws. It is because they don't know any better because no one is requiring them to know better. I don't necessarily see requirement to wear safety and reflective gear as Big Brother" dictating to us. I see it more from standpoint of contributory negligence where failure to wear basic protective gear results in more severe injuries then there would have been had individual chosen to gear up. More severe injuries mean more money awarded by court to the victim and if drivers insurance runs dry the assets come into play. ......

[TVB]

Also they are talking about highway, not 35 mph street after dark with blind curves

When a law says "highway" it means "road open to the public". It does not mean "expressway".

[BootScootin'FireFighter]

I am well familliar with what the law says...however something tells me that many of cyclists are not, at least not with the part that reminds them not to impede traffic.

At what point is someone considered "impeding traffic"? Is it just because they're not going as fast as you'd like them to go? Are they impeding traffic because they're not going the 40mph speed LIMIT. Which is exactly what it is, a LIMIT, or a MAXIMUM safely allowed to travel at, by law. Cyclists ARE traffic.

If you're driving at night, there is no reason why you can't be in control of your vehicle, with a legal headlight configuration, and safely avoid hazards that come your way. If you rear-end and kill a cyclist, no matter if you were speeding or not, it's YOUR fault. The driver did the striking and failed to control their vehicle.

Should we also lawfully mandate that all bears, deer, squirrels, and raccoons who cross the road wear reflective vests as well? And while we're at it, we can cite them all for "impeding traffic" as well.

If you're avoiding routes at night because of a few random cyclists, or blaming a whole group of people because you're unable to maintain a safe speed in relation to changing road conditions, then maybe you're not capable of and shouldn't be driving at night in the first place.

EDIT: This is not a personal attack on you Stormswift, so please don't take it that way. It is a rebuttal to a common misunderstanding that too many drivers think and treat cyclists like third class citizens because they're not driving a motor vehicle.

Often whenever a bicycle related thread appears on MB, it starts a slew of debate back and forth and generalization about cyclists, the law, and their rights. I'll admit that there are idiots and jackasses in all forms of transportation. In cars, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, boaters, etc. Anyone who's rode mass transit more then once probably had some A$$hole blocking the door to get into a train, while everyone else is trying to get out. Then there are pilots who fall asleep and overshoot their destination, or take a chance on a risky takeoff. There was the Metro operator who was texting a few years back, while at the console and missed a stop signal, striking another train and killing several riders. It's idiocy across the board. We do need to remember that we share a common bond with cyclists and pedestrians, whether we like to admit it or not. We get shit on by drivers, run off the road, cut off in traffic and told "I didn't see you", and even get the shaft by transportation planners who often ignore or half-ass their design to accommodate to anything except cars and SUVs. It's time to stop hating so much on cyclists and start to realize that they struggle with very similar issues as we do. Take it easy and don't be such an aggressive driver, give them plenty of passing space, and just practice patience. They have just as much right to the roadway as everyone else.


Now, back to the OP. Nice digs, I'm a big fan of reflective stuff!