Strike a Pose, Increase Your Chances of Death or Injury

[RockBottom]

We're all aware of the relationship between visibility and safety but I had an incident yesterday which starkly reminded me.

I was in my car, getting ready to pull out into the road. I'd begun to move and at the very last second, saw a motorcycle that I would have pulled in front of and was able to stop.

My first thought was that I couldn't believe that someone who rides as much as I do would have the proverbial "I never saw him" experience. But then I started thinking about it. The bike was black on black. The rider wore black pants, jacket, gloves, and a head scarf. The only thing for my mind to pick out of the complexity of the background was his face.

I'm sure the guy was convinced that he looked really bad. But the fact is that this dramatically increased his chances of death or injury. (To add to it, he was looking ahead rather than scanning for threats, so I don't think he even realized that I nearly pulled out in front of him).

So now I'm reminded: visibility is life; striking a pose might make us feel tough but also makes it more likely that we'll end up as tough pulp.

[sapaul]

100%

I feel naked without my high viz vest now

[HYPERR]

My first thought was that I couldn't believe that someone who rides as much as I do would have the proverbial "I never saw him" experience. But then I started thinking about it. The bike was black on black. The rider wore black pants, jacket, gloves, and a head scarf. The only thing for my mind to pick out of the complexity of the background was his face.

He didn't have his headlight on? What time of the day was it? Weather?

[ibswooft]

Had the same thing happen to me. Just glad I saw him in time, didn't have anyone get hurt or worse. It can happen so fast!

[JC Viper]

I've been wearing my Icon Mil-spec vest (hi viz green) while riding around and had a pretty bright and reflective helmet. People still just pull out without noticing, nearly rear end me, or just plain merge into my lane. My bike is outfitted with LED strips on the rear and front so they should be able to see me.

Your case was different. Black on black can make things appear smaller or more distant if not invisible. For many drivers it's just a case of head up a$$ when they drive.

Though when I did do the mostly black get-up thing I had people still manage to notice me and not pull out in front of me or stop a good distance back from my rear tire. Those people are the good drivers who can pay attention to the road. Bicyclists are much harder to see at times.

Essential items on my bike:
Radiantz flexible LEDs to assist the tail light. White LED lightbars in front.
Icon Mil-spec vest in lime green.
3M SOLAS silver reflective tape placed tastefully on the bike and helmet (bought from Aerostitch.com)
Multi-colored helmet that's pretty noticeable.

[havegunjoe]

I ride with a bright read/with some white on it helmet. My bike is white too by the way. I think the helmet really sticks out from most backgrounds.