|Cycling clothing guide|
|Around the Academy:
At road traffic accidents involving a bicycle and a motor vehicle, the driver will often say they didn't see the cyclist until it was too late.
Often this is because the rider was wearing 'dull' colours not seen by the driver.
So it's very important for any cyclist on the road to make sure they can be seen, even during the daytime.
Responsible cyclists should wear bright colours to give drivers every opportunity to see them.
A common myth is that fluorescent materials can be seen after dark. This is not true.
Fluorescent colours, like the very bright yellow or orange often worn by road workers or the Police, are only of use in the daylight.
Reflective material looks dull grey in daylight but shines brilliant white after dark when artificially lit, e.g. in car headlamps.
The best value in bike safety is a reflective belt and matching arm bands.
They are effective night and day.
Also think about putting reflectors on your pedals. These are very effective because they move all the time.
As with all road vehicles, bicycle lighting is a legal requirement during the hours of darkness.
It's essential that you fit proper lights to your bike as they also provide an extra safety precaution for daytime riding and when riding in rain or fog or at sunset.
A bicycle needs a white front light and a red rear light as well as a red rear reflector.
In order to work properly all lights and reflectors must be kept clean.
If you don't have these lights you are breaking the law.