So I kicked off a debate with my friends today after sharing pics of my first ride to Alice's Diner, on Skyline in California. The below pic in particular is of me in a [ame="http://www.amazon.com/VizBrite-ANSI-Safety-Pocket-Zipper/dp/B00GRL1R3K"]VizBrite reflective vest[/ame] from Amazon. My friends tell me the vest is so unstylish that I shouldn't wear it, especially during the day when people can see me.
Hands down the VizBrite vests are the most visible from well over 1000ft away, day or night. They particularly have generous retro-reflective strips.
In my past life as a total squid, I rode like an idiot all over Toronto and the lakes in northern Ontario, Canada. The only reason I made it to my new life riding in CA is because my first 600cc bike was bright yellow. On top of that I wore a bright yellow helmet. So other cars would always see me with plenty of time to spare and just let me by. Now I am a lot more learned and a very patient rider. So far with the vest I have noticed drivers immediately reacting to me at first sight, from well down the street.
Also last week my neighbor's son was mowed down right at the edge of his driveway, by some old lady with no license and no insurance. The poor guy was on his Harley, in dark colored gear. Not saying the vest would have made him bulletproof, but you all get what I'm saying...
Am I exercising sage wisdom here or am I just making myself look like a jackass? Regardless I'm still wearing the vest. No judgement either way as I used to be a jeans and thin leather jacket type of rider.
Hands down the VizBrite vests are the most visible from well over 1000ft away, day or night. They particularly have generous retro-reflective strips.
In my past life as a total squid, I rode like an idiot all over Toronto and the lakes in northern Ontario, Canada. The only reason I made it to my new life riding in CA is because my first 600cc bike was bright yellow. On top of that I wore a bright yellow helmet. So other cars would always see me with plenty of time to spare and just let me by. Now I am a lot more learned and a very patient rider. So far with the vest I have noticed drivers immediately reacting to me at first sight, from well down the street.
Also last week my neighbor's son was mowed down right at the edge of his driveway, by some old lady with no license and no insurance. The poor guy was on his Harley, in dark colored gear. Not saying the vest would have made him bulletproof, but you all get what I'm saying...
Am I exercising sage wisdom here or am I just making myself look like a jackass? Regardless I'm still wearing the vest. No judgement either way as I used to be a jeans and thin leather jacket type of rider.