To Be Seen Is To Be Safe!

I am sure none of us sound minded cyclists would ever think about riding the streets at night without the proper reflective gear or clothing. A headlight and some sort of blinking warning lights are a must in twilight or night time riding. But, how many of of don’t even think twice about those same rational decisions during the day! Well maybe we should.

I had an interesting encounter with a cager yesterday, a cager by the way is a person who chooses to transport themselves in a cage made of metal and glass powered by a motor. I was on one of my normal weekday lunchtime routes riding very safely along the right side of the lane where a cyclist is plainly visible to all traffic, usually. I say usually because yesterday a man in a small SUV pulls up along side of me rolls his window down and starts to say something. Most often it is a barrage of inappropriate and inexplicable expletives referring to our “right” to use the road or concerning sexual preferences, but this time it was different.

This gentleman proceeded to explain to me how he came upon me on the road and did not see me until the very last minute and could have easily hit and injured me. My first reaction was “what the hell are your talking about?” I was in the proper place on the road, I was not swerving into traffic or riding erratically in any way. I was wearing the proper bicycle gear including a helmet. Then I realized that despite all that it was possible that he just didn’t see me. First off not everyone driving is looking for cyclist on the road, of this fact there is simply nothing we as cyclists can do. But what we wear makes as big a statement about safety as it does about fashion.

Yesterday before leaving I had a choice to make, I had two jerseys out and chose looks over safety. At the time I didn’t even realize I was making that choice. I chose a medium blue jersey with autumn colors in a design pattern over a bright white jersey. That in combination with a fall sun lower in the sky and riding in the shade headed toward that lower sun would have made it very hard to see anybody against the fall backdrop of colored leaves we find so beautiful at this time of year.

I am not trying to say that we should all wear those yellow reflective safety triangles on our backs when we ride. Maybe we should consider cycling wear that is a bit more subtle but equally as effective in attracting attention. During this time of year, especially during darker overcast days choose clothing that is brighter than we might normally wear. Reflective piping on jackets or stripes and accents all help us to be seen, even during the day. Colors like orange, red and yellow are perfect for making sure you’re visible on the road, but maybe during the fall months other more unnatural fluorescent or “hi-viz” colors would be even better. Look for cycling shorts, knickers or tights that have reflective patches or stripes on the legs as the movement will attract more attention. Use those little battery powered blinking type warning lights. Strap them to your saddle bag or helmet to attract attention.

Of course it is always important to ride safely and obey all traffic laws. Do not make yourself a victim by riding against traffic or weaving in and out of the lane, shout out warnings to unsuspecting pedestrians who might wander into your path. Stay alert. Wear bright reflective type of clothing, even during daylight hours, especially as we approach winter and the quality of light is not as good. If you feel it necessary wear that ANSI Safety Vest, while other cyclist may scoff, drivers will certainly take notice and ride around you rather than past you.

Maybe it’s time for me to revisit my cycling wardrobe and visit my local bike shop. You can never have too many jerseys.