toddv@copper (10/15/85)
In Missouri, I commuted to my job 4 days a week on a bicycle. I worked the
midnight to eight shift. I became interested in being seen. Some of the
items I currently use are:
1. I place my belt beacon on the back of my Bell helmet. There is a little
bit of orange strap to hook it on sticking through the helmet on my model.
This raises the light considerably for more visibility, and it has the
advantage that it never flashes in my eyes.
2. I have one of those reflective flags mounted on a spring attached to the
left side of my back stays. (It's up near my leg, not down by the
wheel -- I always have trouble with the names of bike parts). The motion
attracts attention.
3. I bought some 3M white reflective tape and used it to pin strip my helmet
around the base. It blends right in in the daytime. I also have some pin
striping on my frame with red tape. I even pin striped my fenders.
4. I have two stripes of yellow reflective tape around each of my three water
bottles.
5. I have several reflective stripes around my Zefel pump.
6. I have a headlight that stays on when I stop, a tail light, an arm light,
and a leg light.
7. I wear a reflective vest. I bought one of the kinds with the silver
reflective stripes, and I sewed bright yellow reflective stripes on to it.
The yellow stripes show up well in the daytime as well as the night.
Recently I bought a 3M vest that is entirely constructed of 3M reflective
material for use on my motorcycle. My wife says it looks like a huge light
when she follows me in the car. These are spendy ($40) but worth every
penny.
8. Of course, I have the usual reflectors front and back, on the pedals, and
even the kind that go on my wheels (which make them "hop" at high speeds).
9. I have reflective dots on my shoes and brake lever supports,
my seat post is wrapped with white reflective tape, etc, etc, ad nauseum.
I decided to submit this to the net in case I had ideas others had missed.
Make those cars run you down on purpose, :-)
Todd Vierheller