To cycle with rear and front lighting – you don’t need to persuade anyone. Law and common sense require that at least after dark you ride with lights turned on to be visible to drivers, pedestrians and other cyclists. However, are lights really the best solution to improve our visibility? Well, yes, but not the only solution (and trust me – learned this the hard way with broken arm and couple of bruises).
This is where reflective vests come in handy. I know that at the mere thought of something like this, many cyclists go crazy – reflective vests are associated with embarrassment and with a rag waving in the wind, which is more like a torn piece of tarpaulin than something that can be put on. Fortunately, nowadays, we have a wide range of products on the market that look much better (more stylish you might say), are more useful (and much more comfortable to wear), are much better made and also come in different colors. All neon, or with LED lights but this still counts!
Reflective vests are useful both to those who cycle from home to work or to the university, but also to people who appreciate cycling activity in the fresh air. Reflective vest makes you visible to other cyclists and cars, which means it improves your safety (P.S. in one of the next posts I will finally tell you the story of my resistance against reflective vests and how I ended up with plaster and bruises – promise!)
When choosing your perfect reflective vest for your next cycling trip, it is worth making sure that it matches the preferred type of clothing. The vest should be easy to put on and take off, and it should not interfere with cycling – meaning you should be able to move same way as without the vest.
Why Most of Us Hate Vests?
Most of us think vests are ugly and not cool – thanks to car reflective vests, which are actually ugly (sic!) and not practical for cyclists. But you know what, – they don’t have to look better or be more practical – they only serve to make us visible when changing the wheel or fiddling with the engine, during a forced stop on the road. That’s all. With cycling vests it’s a bit different as they are designed to keep you visible while cycling and not only while you had a forced stop.
Why are Reflective Vests for Cyclists different?
Real cycling reflective vests look completely different – better and stylish (I wonder what Kim K. would have to say ;), they are comfortable and can protect us from wind and rain. Anyway, in order for us to be more visible, we do not have to put on a vest right away. Nowadays, you can find on the market a reflective braces or half vests, for example with additional built-in LED lights for even greater visibility.
They adhere to the body, are streamlined and comfortable and of course they are reflective :). They are a bit more expensive than “ugly” ones, but in my opinion it’s worth investing in one. Especially when we often cycle in undeveloped areas, in the evenings and at night. They will perfectly complement lighting lamps.
A person wearing a cycling reflective vest can be seen by a driver from a distance of 160 FT – This can save your life, especially when cycling at dusk, when it is not yet completely dark and the eyes can play tricks on us.
Reflective vests have many advantages, it is worth mentioning such as:
-they are resistant to mechanical damage and can be used for at least several seasons,
-they are easy to clean and care for, so cyclists will have no problems removing dirt, dirt and stains from them,
-they do not restrict movement, mainly due to the use of light materials and a spacious cut, -they can be worn over a cycling jacket, sweatshirt, blouse or t-shirt.
Summary of Reflective Vests
Supporters of reflective vests can be found both among the representatives of the younger and slightly older generation. It is recommended to use them on every bicycle trip (short and long – regardless of where you are going and what the cyclists’ goals are). Reflective Vests in this category can be purchased at very affordable prices, are easy to store, and will also give cyclists more peace of mind. Just compare several different models and choose the best one for you.
