Safe Cycling Clothes – wear pink

I was always under the impression that wearing a bright dayglo yellow waterproof jacket is the best way of being seen and avoiding cars running into you. However, there has been a report suggesting that motorists give less leeway to any cyclist they think ‘looks the part’. If however, you look unsuited to be on a bike – weird, non cycling clothes, maybe a bit of a wobble, then motorists will tend to give you a lot more room. see – safer cycling at Telegraph

On the way to work I sometimes pass the same lady cyclist. She looks as though she’s pedalling through treacle on a ladies sit-up-and-beg bicycle.

She struggles along wearing a rainjacket over a pleated skirt, and she wears a white helmet which looks like half a large billiard ball attached to the back of her head.

I’ve always thought she was in the wrong gear – mechanically and sartorially – but thinking about it more carefully, she justifies No 1 son’s theory.

Unlike the other cyclists in their helmets, rucksacks and leggings who look the part and merge with other road users in morning traffic at comparable speeds, this lady’s very obvious because she’s slow, looks a bit inept and quite vulnerable. As I pass, I do give her an extra-wide berth so she must have The Look just right.

I don’t know how scientific this report was, but, it does seem to make sense. Quite often when cycling (in proper cycling clothes) I feel the rush of air as an Oxford Bus flys by with inches to spare. On the other hand, you can see some people on a bike in Oxford who look so unsuitable to cycling that you really would want to give them plenty of room for manoeuvre.

Maybe I should get a kid’s seat on my bike or one of those long flags. Also, I’ve always fancied one of those reflectors which stick out 1 foot from the bike.