Maybe we could approach this thread from a slightly different viewpoint.
How many car drivers have been killed by cyclists?
How many cyclists have been killed by car drivers?
Anyone got statistics to hand?
Why do so many cyclists wear black?
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Re: Why do so many cyclists wear black?
Because my mum bought me a nice black top for Xmas?
WOC2024 Edinburgh
Test races at SprintScotland (Alloa/Falkirk) and Euromeeting (near Stirling).
Test races at SprintScotland (Alloa/Falkirk) and Euromeeting (near Stirling).
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graeme - god
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Re: Why do so many cyclists wear black?
Can't quite believe the vitriol in this thread
All I know is this - other half often wears darkish clothing when cycling. Being not all that fit, I'm usually trailing behind. I notice that when he goes under a bridge, dark trees, whatever - he's completely and utterly invisible! So however observant and responsible a driver is, he/she is just not going to see him. I just think it's a no brainer - if you want at least a slightly better chance of survival, wear something bright. If you think it makes you look like a t*t then don't - and with your last gasp you'll have the satisfaction of being able to say - 'nobody tells me what to wear!'.
All I know is this - other half often wears darkish clothing when cycling. Being not all that fit, I'm usually trailing behind. I notice that when he goes under a bridge, dark trees, whatever - he's completely and utterly invisible! So however observant and responsible a driver is, he/she is just not going to see him. I just think it's a no brainer - if you want at least a slightly better chance of survival, wear something bright. If you think it makes you look like a t*t then don't - and with your last gasp you'll have the satisfaction of being able to say - 'nobody tells me what to wear!'.
- usuallylast
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Re: Why do so many cyclists wear black?
As someone whose entire wardrobe is full of black clothing I also have a number of cycling tops that are mainly black but with some contrasting colour design. I like black.
I do have some hi-vis jackets that I wear sometimes when the weather is foul and visibility is poor, but at a recent duathlon the person behind me commented that she could see my red flashing light way off in the distance (probably about 600 metres or more) but not my yellow jacket. I've also observed that when following other cyclists, it's a light not the jacket that you see first.
It also depends on the environment you are in as to what stands out, sometimes a solid black shape stands out better against non-black backgrounds (blue sky etc.) than a light colour.
Your visibility on the road is also dependent on how you ride, you are more visible if you take command of your space in the road than if you skulk around in the gutter, be assertive.
I do have some hi-vis jackets that I wear sometimes when the weather is foul and visibility is poor, but at a recent duathlon the person behind me commented that she could see my red flashing light way off in the distance (probably about 600 metres or more) but not my yellow jacket. I've also observed that when following other cyclists, it's a light not the jacket that you see first.
It also depends on the environment you are in as to what stands out, sometimes a solid black shape stands out better against non-black backgrounds (blue sky etc.) than a light colour.
Your visibility on the road is also dependent on how you ride, you are more visible if you take command of your space in the road than if you skulk around in the gutter, be assertive.
- Paul Frost
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Re: Why do so many cyclists wear black?
Paul Frost wrote:It also depends on the environment you are in as to what stands out, sometimes a solid black shape stands out better against non-black backgrounds (blue sky etc.) than a light colour.
And to return to the OP - mist (vague pale grey diffuse stuff) is one of the conditions where black provides greatest contrast.
- pete.owens
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Re: Why do so many cyclists wear black?
It's not just cyclists whingeing about close passing motorists anymore. A number of police forces are doing something about motorists that pass too close, using plain clothes police officers riding on bikes with cameras. West Midlands police have pulled over 200 motorists to date to educate them. 13 drivers have been prosecuted, and two have had their licences revoked at the roadside when they failed eyesight tests!
- maprun
- diehard
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Re: Why do so many cyclists wear black?
maprun wrote:It's not just cyclists whingeing about close passing motorists anymore. A number of police forces are doing something about motorists that pass too close, using plain clothes police officers riding on bikes with cameras. West Midlands police have pulled over 200 motorists to date to educate them. 13 drivers have been prosecuted, and two have had their licences revoked at the roadside when they failed eyesight tests!
About bloody time that the police started taking an interest in bad driving (that can, and does, kill cyclists).
- Big Jon
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Re: Why do so many cyclists wear black?
maprun wrote:plain clothes police officers riding on bikes
Go on! We're all wondering! How plain are plain clothes?
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Mrs H - god
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Re: Why do so many cyclists wear black?
I suppose a helmet with a blue flashing light on top would be a bit of a giveaway
The advent of led lights for bikes has been a godsend - very easy to make yourself visible whatever you wear without resorting to cumbersome lamps with large batteries. Downside is having to RTFM for yet another gadget so you can choose which combination of flash you are going to have etc....
The advent of led lights for bikes has been a godsend - very easy to make yourself visible whatever you wear without resorting to cumbersome lamps with large batteries. Downside is having to RTFM for yet another gadget so you can choose which combination of flash you are going to have etc....
- usuallylast
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Re: Why do so many cyclists wear black?
Went for a ride around Mrs H's manor last night, tones of cyclists out, made sure I wore a white top just in case;)
M21-Lairy
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Re: Why do so many cyclists wear black?
Well this thread has done some good then!
(You should have called in.....I have a lot of heavy furniture to move!)
(You should have called in.....I have a lot of heavy furniture to move!)
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Mrs H - god
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