View source for Reflective vest/clothing

[[Category:Protective Gear]]
====Reflective tape====

One way you can improve the chances of people seeing you ''before'' they hit you is by adding  some strips of [http://www.identi-tape.com/tapespecs/SOLAS_Specs.pdf SOLAS tape] (Safety Of Life At Sea, used by the Coast Guard) to your helmet, gear, and/or bike.  SOLAS is by far the most reflective of tapes. 

These pictures show the 3M brand (don't cheap out on this) that is sold by [http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Visibility--Reflective-p-1-c-362.html Aerostich]. In the first picture you can see that helmets just aren't that visible in low light.

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On the helmets below, the second from the left has SOLAS tape; notice it reflects light well. 

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When it becomes actual nighttime, you are much more likely to be seen with the SOLAS in place.

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====Vest====

[http://www.ct.gov/dot/LIB/dot/Documents/dhighwaysafety/CTDOT_Hurt.pdf#search=%22hurt%20report%22 The Hurt Report] states that accident involvement is significantly reduced by the wearing of high visibility yellow, orange, or bright red jackets. One way to achieve this look is by wearing a bright, reflective vest. They're not the most stylish things, but one member summed it up well: "I'd rather have a cager say "Hey, look at that goober motorcyclist with the bright yellow/orange vest" than "Gosh officer, I never saw her/him." If you're concerned about airflow through the vest, look for a mesh one.

Motorcyclists who enter military bases are required to wear reflective vests. Icon has developed a functional vest that meets specifications for our citizens in service. They're not a bad idea for the rest of us, either. Your choice of two eye-catching colors.

[[Image: Reflective vest 1.jpg|180px]]  [[Image: Reflective vest 2.jpg|180px]]

They're available at [http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/418/DEPT/Street-Bike-Vests-Mens-Riding-Gear.aspx Motorcycle Superstore], [http://www.newenough.com/armor/visibility_products_and_misc_/ New Enough], and other places where Icon products are sold. There are also other manufacturers who sell these kinds of vests, such as [http://www.joerocket.com/catalog/index.cfm/113/400/Textile_Jackets/Military_Spec_Vest Joe Rocket].

If you look where they sell clothing for construction or highway maintenance workers, you should be able to find something like this. It's basically a surveyor's vest and is very breathable and lightweight. [http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=vest&Submit=Go Harbor Freight] sells a similar item for really cheap.

[[Image: Reflective vest 4.jpg|180px]]

Bill H, with 50 years of motorcycling experience, recommends the [http://www.conspicuityinc.com/ConspicWeb/InfoOrder1.htm Conspicuity brand]. Conspicuity makes a variety of models and colors. 

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