1. The Bicycle Safety Vest Statistic
Bicycle enthusiasts stay geared up with the perfect frame and wheels, a great suspension system, bike shorts and sunglasses and even that cool, rock-hard helmet. While all of these things improve your ride and some of them might help lessen the blow in case of an emergency, none of them do anything to prevent you from being hit by a car. A bicycle safety vest is one of the most important, and least expensive, pieces of cycling safety equipment since it keeps you in the sights of drivers. If there's any one piece of safety equipment you should own, it's a safety vest.
2. Functional, Not Fashionable
There are many different kinds of bicycle safety vests, ranging from the simple reflective polyester mesh to LED-lighted blinking triangles and red lights that you can see from thousands of feet away. If you're currently riding without any safety vest then any vest is a good step up. In general, bike or athletics purposed vests that use a lighter weight mesh than construction grade safety vests are a good way to go. Check the company that makes the reflective tape on the vest, and the range of reflection, which should be around 1,000 feet, to make sure it's reliable and highly functional.
3. Unidentified Riding Object
The vast majority of serious bike accidents happen at night for the simple reason that drivers do not see cyclists in the dark. Reflective strips on the helmet or pedals are useful but, without a centered reflective triangle or other indicating night marker, their use is limited and sometimes even confusing. If you plan to do any amount of riding, you need to get a safety vest that is rated for night time riding conditions. An illuminated triangle on the front and back of the vest gives drivers a better view of your profile, location and speed so they can avoid you as you avoid them.
4. Ride Tall
A safety vest goes a long way in improving your visibility at night and during the day. However, this doesn't mean that you can ride without paying attention to your surroundings. Knowing what's going on at intersections and around bends, and being able to identify the blind spot of drivers close to you is crucial. Just as importantly, you should raise up, to straighten out your torso as you hear or see a car approaching. In a dropped down position, your safety vest doesn't help much because drivers can't see it, so sitting up improves the safety of the situation.
5. Bike Safety Toolbox
Various states require different kinds of bike lights, helmets and signaling by law. You should begin with these rules of the biking road and then improve upon them for a personal safety setup that makes the most out of your riding safety vest. A strobe rear light and a high-powered front bike light are important for night riding. By day, good glare reducing sunglasses and an undamaged bike helmet are key. Knowing the rules of the road and getting a basic understanding of drivers' behavior are also important pieces in the bike safety puzzle.
Member Comments