as the nights grow darker earlier and earlier, if you’re a cyclist or walking on dark roads please please consider wearing a high viz vest or something reflective. and drivers be extra vigilant as the dark makes it harder to see whats in front of especially on back roads be wary.
34 comments
be seen be safe
or
dont be a gobshite, wear something bright
Yeah also maybe other motorists could keep lights clean so they can be seen easier. Some trailers and track need to keep rear reflectors clean.
High viz has fuck all effect.
Proper infrastructure where bikes don’t have to weave in and out of traffic and share a lane with 2 tonne 2 story vehicles is the safest thing for bicycles.
This is blaming the vulnerable road user instead of actually making things safe for them.
High visibility clothing has been shown in multiple studies worldwide to have no material effect on the safety of vulnerable road users. It is, and always has been, a complete and utter misnomer.
Seen a lot of cars with only one headlight working lately
Also to note that reflective gear can be ordered for free on the [RSA website](https://www.rsaorders.ie/index.php?route=product/category&path=71).
The amount of school kids I see out walking in the dark with dark uniforms and black schoolbags, it’s an accident waiting to happen
Most cyclist deaths in Ireland occur when it’s bright. And more often than not they’re hit from behind by distracted drivers who just can’t be bothered to pay attention. Hi Viz is not the solution you think it is
Wearing one and someone reversed into me without looking in the middle of a junction.
Some people shouldn’t drive.
We should be campaigning for better infrastructure and safer driving. This well-meaning “be safe be seen” stuff is just victim blaming, it’s misdirection from the real issue: shit infrastructure and reckless drivers.
Better driver education is needed. i was hit by a car from behind on a sunny day on a country road. i was wearing bright colours and had a tail light.
And while we are at it, have lights on the bike. With the dark being as long as it is, its crazy to consider a trek on a bike without them.
This is not a good message. Hi-vis isn’t effective in many situations. By promoting hi-vis you’re leading people to believe that it is effective and then rely on it.
How are cyclists still notegally required to have lights?
Share the road but don’t share the coutesy of being visible on the same road?
If cyclists have to wear them then so should car drivers. It’s only fair. And pedestrians. And baby in prams sure. And the dog. You’re just marking out one class of road user for different treatment otherwise.
Many times I’ve come across cyclists in the dark with no lights and no high vis. I only saw one once because my headlights caught a pedal reflector. High vis is never not a good idea.
Such an old photo of London
No you just need lights at lighting up time. Also remember that flashy lights might grab attention but are useless for judging distance and speed so have at least one solid front and rear light.
Hi Viz is 2020s equivalent of a Padre Pio sticker on your grannys micra
Typical of this sub, OP asks people to be cool and look after themselves and each other and it turns into duuuuh I once saw a cyclists do X. Duuuh I once saw a driver do Y.
​
Shut the fuck up and look after each other and yourself, drivers don’t want to hurt people and vulnerable road users don’t want to be killed. This shouldn’t be devolving into a blame game.
I say anyone not in a vehicle and out at night walking or cycling should have something reflective on. It’s almost like people are trying not to be seen out in a big black coat!
Or if you are on an electric scooter. Honestly as a driver I couldn’t see some of these scooters with their riders all in black. It’s so dangerous.
I don’t think this is a good message. Don’t consider anything, go get **lights** (and a hi-viz if you like) for the front and back of your bike.
As someone who cycled to collage, I gave up by November when it started getting darker. Aside from getting abuse from other cyclist’s, I didn’t feel safe. All cyclists should by law have to wear a helmet and high vis, when cycling on main roads. Better to be safe then sorry.
Another aspect for walkers is to walk on the right hand side of the road. A number of times I have spotted pedestrians simply because of the reflection from ther face – if they had been facing the other way they would have been invisible.
Or perhaps don’t victim blame. Cyclists aren’t killing themselves when they get hit by a driver who’s not paying attention and doesn’t have the most basic cop on to be aware of the potential danger they pose on the road at night, they’re being killed.
Instead of putting the blame on those at most risk on the roads, perhaps petition your TDs and councillors to build better cycle lanes and have them adequately lit.
Also when you park your car, make sure to keep the pavement free. Don’t park on it, don’t leave the car sticking out onto the walkway the pedestrian you’re forcing onto the road is probably not wearing a hi-vis.
When driving use your headlights and slow down to have enough time to react.
I nearly hit a guy walking in the country (so no footpaths anywhere). He was wearing dark colours and didn’t have a light on him.
FFS, it’s not hard to use your phone screen or your phone torch to keep yourself alive.
Good PSA
And please follow the rules of the road.
Mobility scooter user here. My little “Batmobile” has working lights, front and back, but I was wondering just last week if I should add reflective tape or something, just to be safe. Are there any laws/regulations about how it should be done? Although I keep to pavements, and legally its considered a pedestrian, an extension of myself, my scooter is actually allowed on the road if I need to. I just don’t want to be adding the wrong stuff if it means something else. If that makes sense at all??
I’ve always said a high vis is more important than lights
Or if yer a cyclist at a round about, actually go around the damn thing and don’t just turn right and cut across me like the lunatic on Friday evening. As others have said, it’s very hard to see a lad on a bike with heavy rain lights from other cars. Add in the mix that I was up since five and didn’t get much sleep anyway due to a new born.
I’d rather die a legend then cycle around like a fucking nerd.
We need an attitude change on Irish roads (amongst some road users of all vehicles and modalities)
Less of this British/American “rules are might” attitude and more of the Dutch/European “social contract” idea where we travel and design travel systems in particular with everyone’s safety in mind in the first instance.
If you see an obstacle or a vulnerable road user, slow the fuck down and be prepared to stop. You being five minutes late is not worth you risking the life and health of another person. If you’re not sure you can leave enough space, don’t pass. If it’s not safe, wait until it is. If you can’t see space, act like it’s not there. Cross roads, go around corners and into dangerous junctions as if something happening is the rule, not the exception.
Right on