Hi-Vis a cautionary tale!

[Deleted]

I very nearly took out a cyclist in the gloom this morning

Partly because he was cycling behind a line of cars parked on double yellows so the only bit of him not hidden by the cars was his head. But he was wearing a hi-vis and I still didn't see him when he came out from behind the cars and believe me, I was looking.

When we both stopped, I apologised profusely because having been a cyclist I know how scary such a near miss is, but I did notice his "hi-vis" was like a lightweight mesh, so looking at it in the gloom with him 3 feet from me, it was no more visible than a white t-shirt, because his dark top showed through it. After apologising I suggested he got one that meets the British Standards as his wouldn't even come close and he did take the comment on the chin.

Just thought I'd share as there is really no point in wearing fashionable hi-vis tops if they're not both fluorescent AND reflective. The BS is there for a reason and a lot of horsey ones don't meet it.

[calekio]

Thats is really interesting... i have one of the meshy types, with elastic sides that if we are going across the round i get someone to chuck on and i have never relised it might not actually be doing the job well enough.... it was brought from a horse shop but going back years and year...
gonna make me have a closer look at it next time though! lol We rarely do road work but i had to think we couldn't be seen (and with miniatures we are often missed.. often been told they just thought i was walking along randomly when long reining as they couldn't see the pony infront of me.. why i now either long rein on the path or if i am on the road make a point of not standing directly behind said pony if cars are coming so they are actually see why i'm in the road! lol)
As it is i also have another hi-viz but that doesn't say horses on it.

[rowanrachel]

I would agree entirely that there is a massive difference between high vis that's visible and high vis that's just brightly coloured! I almost crashed into a cyclist and a horse the other day as I was driving to the yard (and I drive really slowly) but the cyclist was riding along with serious high vis and lots of reflective gear- it was just getting dark and my car lights reflected of his gear and was vet visible so I slowed down and went to Overtake him, just as I did he pulled out unexpectedly into the middle I the road in front of me and I had to break. I then realised that he was pulling out to overtake a girl from my yard on her horse who I had not even seen! She had a high vis top on but nowhere was it reflective and as the cyclists reflective bits were so bright it had blinded me to her in front!!! I had a word with her when I got back and said how hard to see she was in that light and I felt she should invest in some reflective gear !

[Dragonmaster]

Last week I nearly hit a cyclist on a main road. It was dark, raining and the cyclist was not only wearing dark clothes with no HiViz, but did not have any LIGHTS ON HIS BIKE either!!

OH wound down the window & shouted at him "Get some lights or next time we'll kill you!" which I didn't really approve of, but we were both rather rattled by the near miss. As a driver my first thought was that it was my fault I didn't see him.

[KimT]

Another point is to make sure you wash your flourescent. I remember riding out on my first horse and being told by a driver that my relectives couldnt be seen very well. I then realised they hadnt been washed for 3 years!!! One spin in the washing machine and back to normal. lol.

[diggydoggy]

Yes, the mesh stuff isn't as good as "proper" hi-viz.
I always wear my waistcoat when out on the lanes, and my dog has one on too.
I am thinking of getting a tail-something for my Shetland.
Apparently drivers see you up to 3 seconds sooner...

[specialized]

You need reflective strips on the hi-viz to be effective.

[cheekychops]

Yup I've noticed the reflective bits are the only part that show up in the dark.
I still can't get over the number of riders that aren't using hi-vis - especially ones who really ought to know better...including a vet at our yard who disappeared into the gloom after 3pm with not a shred of hi-vis. Jaw-dropping!

[Hannah]

Thanks for the reminder michellep and good advice about remembering to wash it from Rugrat!