This meant that although I've always had a selection of fixed and flashing lights on the bike, and a dayglo yellow jersey, ultimate visibility was never a problem.
Giving up the Kawasaki in favour of my e-bike/pedelec converted Dawes has involved commuting to work in all weathers - and darkness - so I needed to address issues of visibility and weather protection.
For those unfamiliar with Regents Park in London, it is quite dark at night - streetlights are poor and the hedges that border all the roads make it a gloomy place for pedestrians and cyclists. As a result, when riding home in the dark on the Kawasaki, cyclists with highly reflective clothing are much more visible at night in a motorcycle's headlight - when dayglo is much less effective (the clue's in the name !).
Sometime towards the end of last year I (literally) saw a cyclist stand out like no other. It was as if his entire torso was glowing white ! As soon as I had Googled it, I knew I just had to have one of these.
It's a Proviz 360+
Instead of a few reflective strips or panels the whole jacket is made out of a highly reflective material. All cyclists (and motorcyclists) know that there is little you can do about those "SMIDSY" (Sorry Mate I Didn't See You) muppets out there - who aren't even looking but this is a very "in your face" jacket under vehicle headlights.
I believe that other manufacturers also have super-high reflectivity materials - the Dare2B "Observate" available at Halfords for example but this is clearly (or not so clearly!) a lesser product. Of course most cycling specific jackets have some degree of reflective material - but my research suggested that Proviz was the clear leader in this field (www.provizsports.com)
The effect is not always obvious to the wearer (it would dazzle you if it was) as it reflects light back to the source - making you highly visible to car drivers in the dark. To the wearer it often seems to "shimmer" in some light. The jacket itself is of high quality and clearly properly designed for cycling. It is waterproof, breathable and well fitting.
The Proviz website is clear and easy to use and there are regular discounts sent by email if you register. Not the cheapest on the market but certainly not unreasonably priced for what they are. I have the "top of the range" 360+ version at £120 but there is a cheaper version with less breathability for £79. There is also a range of other products that use the material such as gilets, helmet covers and rucksack covers.
To cap it all their customer service is exemplary. When I had a small problem with mine they replaced it instantly with no quibble. Since buying the jacket I have also bought a high-viz (dayglo) gilet and a pair of gloves from them and I will certainly be buying some waterproof trousers at some point in the future. I highly recommend this product and the company.
Of course as I write this the clocks have now gone forwards for Summer time - which reduces the benefit of this jacket - although read my next post for a solution for dusk and dawn visibility before we get to full daylight for both the morning and the evening commute.
