Hi-viz vs Stealth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LRp5yo81Oc&feature=youtu.be#)
I made this video from my dash-cam footage.
This is how the motorcyclists look from the car driver’s point of view.
I am not trying to be a preacher, but wearing Hi-viz yellow or white gets you noticed better from other road users.
And wearing dark color gear, the rider / motorcycle blend into the background, easily becomes invisible.
That’s the fact.
(You can see it in the first two examples in the video. )
BTW, I went to four or five local motorcycle shops recently, and asked why they stock only dark colored helmet.
(Roughly 80% of the helmets they stock are some sort of black (gloss black, flat black, gunmetal, that sort of thing). About 10 % are gray, sliver helmets. And than, a little bit of the graphic model. Solid white is almost non-existent.)
The answers were very simple. Everyone wants to buy black helmet. (And matt black sells better than gloss black. Nobody wants solid white helmet, thus, they don’t stock them.)
When I look around, it seems right. The majority of the riders are wearing black or dark gray helmets.
Another interesting thing is that the all cruiser riders (in my video) who had female passengers, they equipped girls with t-shirt, skirt, no gloves, slip-on shoes, etc (basically no protective gear other than helmet).
I am seriously considering getting a jacket with some sort of reflective coloring since, by law[that is not very clear] reflective "jacket" should be worn at all times . . .
pathblazer and tailblazer.
Quote from: Privateer on October 02, 2013, 08:46:22 PM
I picked up a hi-viz vest to make sure I get home from work every day. I've been wearing it a month and here's what I think:
http://twoslow.com/2013/10/missing-link-meshed-up-vest/ (http://twoslow.com/2013/10/missing-link-meshed-up-vest/)
(http://twoslow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/vest.road_.header.jpg)
I changed vests to an Olympia Nova 2, which I haven't done a write up yet, but I definitely noticed a difference when I went to a vest and all white helmet.
I know I've seen stats, maybe from the UK, about the benefits of a white helmet. I'm going off to work or I'd dig around more.
I think people tend to notice white helmets because they associate them with moto [leo]
(http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o420/ZX750E2/Monster/3373732947_9351bd73a3_z_zpsd3gorsbv.jpg) (http://s342.photobucket.com/user/ZX750E2/media/Monster/3373732947_9351bd73a3_z_zpsd3gorsbv.jpg.html)
Not all moto cop's helmets are white / black.
In California, this (blue / gold) is the one you really have to be careful.
(incidentally, that's SHOEI RJ model helmet.)
Oh, believe me, I know they aren't all like that. But I think that a lot of people make that assumption...
Quote from: NAKID on April 22, 2015, 10:43:54 AM
Oh, believe me, I know they aren't all like that. But I think that a lot of people make that assumption...
Me too. Doesn't really matter if all cops don't wear white helmets, they make people pay attention a bit more.
I was half joking about the motorcycle officer’s helmet.
But seriously, ... yes, i agree that if your bike / outfit (even remotely) look like police motorcycle / officer, it will increase your visibility to the others.
(eg, wearing white helmet, on a big white motorcycle with auxiliary lights, you know, that sort of thing. If you’re really into that kinda stuff, you can buy black / white Neotec, exactly like a police helmet).
Part of the reasons headlight modulator works is because it somewhat resembles emergency vehicle.
Speaking of how LEOs stand out in a crowd, my eyes always seem to lock on to the blue lights that they run on their tail section. Figured it would be a good preventative measure to ward off rear enders. I asked an officers about it and was informed that they were the only ones allowed to run blue lights on a vehicle... One thing that I do to be more visible from the front is run a yellowish bulb in my headlamp. The legality may be debatable but I'm doing it for my own safety, not a fashion statement. I feel that the slight color difference makes it stand out from everything else.
Quote from: manwithgun on April 23, 2015, 10:11:18 AM
Speaking of how LEOs stand out in a crowd, my eyes always seem to lock on to the blue lights that they run on their tail section. Figured it would be a good preventative measure to ward off rear enders. I asked an officers about it and was informed that they were the only ones allowed to run blue lights on a vehicle... One thing that I do to be more visible from the front is run a yellowish bulb in my headlamp. The legality may be debatable but I'm doing it for my own safety, not a fashion statement. I feel that the slight color difference makes it stand out from everything else.
it's called a modulating light and they are 100% legal if they are not blue or red (unless it is a red tail lamp for brakes)
http://www.americade.info/mod-law.htm (http://www.americade.info/mod-law.htm)
Quote from: ducatiz on April 24, 2015, 05:13:59 AM
it's called a modulating light and they are 100% legal if they are not blue or red (unless it is a red tail lamp for brakes)
http://www.americade.info/mod-law.htm (http://www.americade.info/mod-law.htm)
You may have misunderstood my observation. In California, all of the law enforcement motorcycles have 2 x quarter to half dollar sized blue lights mounted on the rear of the bike, often on the license plate frame, that remain on at all times. They really stand out in a sea of red tail lights. Unless they are actually pulsating at an undetectable frequency, I figured that it was simply the color Blue that draws attention. Our vehicle code states that no color other than Red, Amber, or White may be visible from the rear. When you are the same color as your surroundings you tend to disappear, a principle of camouflage...
Motorcyclists need all the help they can get and a light modulator will certainly assist in getting noticed. In a nutshell, I discovered that my eyes are attracted to blue light and then discovered that it is illegal to emit blue light as a civilian. Merica.
Good thread. My daughter is taking up motorcycling. A white helmet for sure.
Quote from: manwithgun on April 24, 2015, 03:49:52 PM
You may have misunderstood my observation. In California, all of the law enforcement motorcycles have 2 x quarter to half dollar sized blue lights mounted on the rear of the bike, often on the license plate frame, that remain on at all times. They really stand out in a sea of red tail lights. Unless they are actually pulsating at an undetectable frequency, I figured that it was simply the color Blue that draws attention. Our vehicle code states that no color other than Red, Amber, or White may be visible from the rear. When you are the same color as your surroundings you tend to disappear, a principle of camouflage...
Motorcyclists need all the help they can get and a light modulator will certainly assist in getting noticed. In a nutshell, I discovered that my eyes are attracted to blue light and then discovered that it is illegal to emit blue light as a civilian. Merica.
Just buy one of these (http://www.lumigram.com/catalog/P7_LUMINOUS_CLOTHING.php?osCsid=qaal4hr49ltir3aa74n6p88tu5) to wear over your gear. ;D
Quote from: lightspd on April 24, 2015, 04:54:48 PM
Just buy one of these (http://www.lumigram.com/catalog/P7_LUMINOUS_CLOTHING.php?osCsid=qaal4hr49ltir3aa74n6p88tu5) to wear over your gear. ;D
I actually saw that exact link in another forum that had an "ask a cop" section. The OP then asked if a blue beacon could be worn on a belt/backpack/helmet and the officer replied that once a rider mounts a motorcycle, they become a part of it and would be in violation of the law.
Makes me wonder how the law would address a reflector that was blue...
Quote from: manwithgun on April 24, 2015, 06:08:25 PM
I actually saw that exact link in another forum that had an "ask a cop" section. The OP then asked if a blue beacon could be worn on a belt/backpack/helmet and the officer replied that once a rider mounts a motorcycle, they become a part of it and would be in violation of the law.
Makes me wonder how the law would address a reflector that was blue...
Lol, I just googled illuminated shirt and scrolled through the pics till I saw one that was very bright. California sounds crazy restrictive. While I appreciate no blue and red, I've seen plenty of other colors around here. Mostly neon colors, but blue major no no.
Quote from: manwithgun on April 24, 2015, 03:49:52 PM
In a nutshell, I discovered that my eyes are attracted to blue light and then discovered that it is illegal to emit blue light as a civilian. Merica.
Same here, can spot a moto cop from behind a mile away.
That being said, studies have been conducted that show blue lights are easier to see at a greater distance than red lights...
I'm pretty sure it's the DOT FMVSS s108 that defines what color lights can be used. But I'm not any kind of Leo soooo...
Black helmet, white helmet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xotskfAm5_Q&feature=youtu.be#)
Here’s another video, showing you black helmet / outfit and white helmet / jacket back to back.
Which one is easier to spot ?
Notice how the female passenger who’s wearing white helmet and white jacket stays visible against constantly changing background color?
Next (if possible), I will try to take video / photo of the frontal image of Hi-viz vs Stealth.
No argument here that certain colors are more noticeable than others. However accepting that concept and applying it to roadway safety, it would have to bear on all vehicles on a road. And if that were true, dark colored automobiles would be run into more frequently than others. Not being aware of any such statistic, and the color of my car never being a factor for my insurance rate, I have to believe that this is an interesting observation, but remains a theory until proven with statistics.
One thing that has been proven is that someone can look directly at an object, color not being a factor, and not register that object to the point of not being aware of it. Thus the statements, "I looked and did not see him." There is also Empty Field Myopia, which may come into play on occasion depending on the environment.
Wearing white helmets may increase your chances of not being hit, or maybe not. Keeping up with your situational awareness and always thinking of an "out" definitely increases your odds of surviving. After all, they are out to get you.
[quote author=oldndumb link=topic=70734.msg1309004#msg1309004 date=1430930218
Keeping up with your situational awareness and always thinking of an "out" definitely increases your odds of surviving. After all, they are out to get you.
[/quote]
This^!
found what I was looking for.
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/olso1784/motorcycle/ (http://blog.lib.umn.edu/olso1784/motorcycle/)
Quote
-High visibility clothing and white helmets have been shown to reduce risk of crash compared to other methods.
http://www.bmj.com/content/328/7444/857.full?sid=56823197-4b00-48fb-8592-c1a8d225a479 (http://www.bmj.com/content/328/7444/857.full?sid=56823197-4b00-48fb-8592-c1a8d225a479)
Quote
After adjustment for potential confounders, drivers wearing any reflective or fluorescent clothing had a 37% lower risk (multivariate odds ratio 0.63, 95% confidence interval 0.42 to 0.94) than other drivers. Compared with wearing a black helmet, use of a white helmet was associated with a 24% lower risk (multivariate odds ratio 0.76, 0.57 to 0.99). Self reported light coloured helmet versus dark coloured helmet was associated with a 19% lower risk.
Very useful info, thanks.
Good thread.
This is NOT "Easy Rider", this is a motorcycle safety film (1973).
Peter Fonda and Evil Knievel. They mention about "wearing white helmet" in this film.
Certain things haven't changed that much since then, I guess.
Not so Easy - A Motorcycle Safety Film (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eFNcbltDnM#)
Quote from: oldndumb on May 06, 2015, 09:36:58 AM
No argument here that certain colors are more noticeable than others. However accepting that concept and applying it to roadway safety, it would have to bear on all vehicles on a road. And if that were true, dark colored automobiles would be run into more frequently than others. Not being aware of any such statistic, and the color of my car never being a factor for my insurance rate, I have to believe that this is an interesting observation, but remains a theory until proven with statistics.
One thing that has been proven is that someone can look directly at an object, color not being a factor, and not register that object to the point of not being aware of it. Thus the statements, "I looked and did not see him." There is also Empty Field Myopia, which may come into play on occasion depending on the environment.
Wearing white helmets may increase your chances of not being hit, or maybe not. Keeping up with your situational awareness and always thinking of an "out" definitely increases your odds of surviving. After all, they are out to get you.
Good points, particularly regarding situational awareness.
It seems that there are at least a few studies out there that point to increased accident rates in darker colored cars. Here's one: http://www.monash.edu.au/miri/research/reports/muarc263.pdf (http://www.monash.edu.au/miri/research/reports/muarc263.pdf)
I think one of the big differences is that bikes are 1) smaller than cars/trucks and therefore less visible, and 2) a minority in traffic and therefore don't register the same in the brain/perception of drivers (empty field myopia?).
I came across a statistic somewhere (can't remember where) that indicated bigger bikes and bikes with fairings were less prone to getting hit as compared to smaller and/or naked bikes.
And another study that tends to support increased visibility with reduced risk:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC387473/ (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC387473/)
Of course, they'll probably come out with another study that discounts the previous studies, but I've always liked the 'Be Safe Be Seen' mantra. Along with assuming that everyone is out to kill me. Wife included. :D
In the past, I always kind of color matched my helmet to my bike for the most part.
Usually a grey/silver or black.
When I dumped my Diavel and was hunting for a new bike, I was also in the hunt for a new helmet.
I got this one:
(http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/vxcAAOSw8cNUPpkf/s-l300.jpg)
Rear shot:
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDg3WDg2NA==/z/AcwAAOSwcu5UPpkg/$_1.JPG)
(Arai Corsair V "Ducati Stripe")
Jokingly I even said in the shop, "They're not gonna miss this helmet!"
From FHE, spotting a white helmet is way easier. Over time I've lead several small group rides. When my sweep rider was in a white helmet it was so much easier/faster to pick him out when in a white helmet.
I am reminded of a time when I was sitting outside a stable with a 4 lane road passing by it. A city bus had stopped to make a lefthand turn, and a fellow in a Detroit Landbarge ran into the back of it. He didn't see it.
I have always had dark colored bikes until I got my first Ducati with never having a car run into me (about 50 years) and now I have about the loudest paint job I can imagine, but I still ride with the same situational awareness!