Visibility in road traffic: Reflective high-visibility clothing and parts

One Approved and correctly adjusted bicycle lights is one thing, eye-catching clothing that stands out from the background in terms of colour is another to ensure visibility as a cyclist in road traffic. Neon colours, fluorescent stripes and reflective elements are easier to see in poor visibility conditions than dark clothing that barely stands out against the background at dusk. Pay attention to how you perceive other people in road traffic. When do you see a person on a bicycle who is wearing dark-coloured clothing? When do you see someone in bright colours or wearing special high-visibility clothing?

MYBIKE has put together clothing and accessories from head to toe as well as bike accessories that increase visibility.

Reflective bike parts and clothing for head and neck

Bicycle helmet with rear light

There are now more and more cycle helmets with an integrated or attachable rear light. Although the red light does not replace the rear bicycle light, it does provide additional visibility. A helmet becomes even more visible with reflective strips or neon colours. One example is the Alpina Haga Be Visible helmet in neon yellow (also available in black or other colours available), which has reflective elements and an LED rear light. According to the manufacturer, the helmet costs just under 100 euros, but you don't have to dig that deep into your pocket. Another hi-vis bike helmet with a rear light is the lightweight multi-purpose helmet MET Allroad Safety Yellow, with applications ranging from trekking bikes to racing bikes. Lighting systems on cycle helmets are currently gaining more and more functions. Recently, for example the La Mokka plus sensor presented by Scottwhich has a brake light function.

Rain cover for the helmet

If you don't want to invest in a new helmet straight away or want to protect yourself from rain dripping through your helmet, you can use a waterproof helmet cover. For 13 euros, the Vaude Helmet Raincover available. The brightly coloured helmet cover not only ensures visibility, but also protects against cold and rain.

Multifunctional scarf in neon colours with reflective stripes

After the head comes the neck. Multifunctional scarves are a dime a dozen. As the name suggests, they are versatile and can be worn as a scarf, cap or headband, or they can be pulled over the mouth and nose to protect against the cold. One such tube scarf that increases visibility is the P.A.C. Reflector neon. In addition to the neon yellow version, it is also available in neon pink and other colours, as shown in the photo.

Better visibility on the upper body

High visibility wind waistcoat

Wind waistcoats protect the upper body from cooling down by keeping out the wind and airstream. A hi-vis cycling waistcoat is the lightweight wind waistcoat Endura Pakagilet I with a very small pack size (price: 50 euros).

Craft has developed the Visibility Vest Unisex has a similar waistcoat in its range, but its reflectors are significantly larger and its appearance is reminiscent of a classic high-visibility waistcoat (price: 45 euros).

Reflective waistcoat

There are also solutions for cyclists who don't need wind protection but want a light and airy waistcoat to put on. Models such as the Löffler Reflex Vest have large reflective surfaces and bright colours. The reflective waistcoat from Löffler weighs just 50 grams and costs 20 euros. There is also a light reflective vest from ProViz, in addition to many other reflective items of clothing. Hi-Vis waistcoat to put on. You can also take a look around the running sports area, the manufacturer Nathan has various such waistcoats in its range.

High visibility jackets for all occasions

There are suitable cycling jackets for all occasions. For example, the Commuter Lightweight Jacket from Rapha a lightweight, breathable windbreaker for commuting. The jacket has a hood and comes with a pack bag. Price: 100 euros. For rainy weather, a waterproof jacket makes your daily commute by bike more pleasant. The Ride Easy cycling jacket from Odlo (price 220 euros) is available in a fluorescent yellow colour. The jacket also has reflective details and a hood. If the temperature drops, softshell jackets or cycling-specific insulating jackets will keep you warm. The Gore Wear Tempest Gore-Tex Infinium softshell jacket has a sporty cut, is available in bright colours, has reflective details and is waterproof and windproof (price: 150 euros).

Visible rain cover or high vis rucksack

If you are already fully equipped with black and grey jackets, but still want to be clearly visible on the bike, you can use a highly visible rucksack such as the Ortlieb Velocity High Visibility (price: 140 euros). A practical feature of this Ortlieb rucksack is that it is waterproof and has a separate compartment into which a laptop can be slid. Alternatively and more cost-effectively, the visibility of a rucksack can be improved with a rain cover - and protected from water and dirt. The Deuter Rain Cover I is available for 22 euros.

Hands

Gloves don't just keep your hands warm. If they have reflectors and are perhaps even designed in fluorescent colours, they also provide cyclists with an extra dose of visibility in road traffic. In particular, changes of direction indicated by the hands become more visible.

Gloves

Many companies that have gloves in their range also offer gloves in high-visibility colours or with reflective elements. One example is the GripGrap Ride Windproof Hi-Vis Winter Gloves, which are equipped with a windstopper membrane and reflective details (price: 45 euros).

Legs and feet as reflex zones

Anyone who can see the movement pattern of the pedalling motion can immediately judge that it is a person on a bicycle. The legs and feet should therefore also be clearly visible.

Reflective arm and trouser bands

There are various commuter trousers that have reflective prints when folded over at the bottom. Another way to make your legs more visible is to use reflective arm or trouser bands. The Vaude Reflective Cuffs can be attached to the ankle in seconds with Velcro and make the pedalling movement visible (price: 12 euros).

Overshoes

Wind and waterproof overshoes successfully keep dirt and splash water away from your shoes so that they can also be worn in the office after the commute. The C3 Gore-Tex overshoes from Gore Wear These wind and waterproof overshoes are ideal for the cold and damp season. Price: 85 euros.

High visibility on the bike

Accessories can also make the bike itself more visible. We show you parts for your bike that stand out in traffic and increase safety in the dark.

Spoke reflectors

Spoke reflectors, cat's eyes or a full-length reflective strip on the tyre are mandatory to ensure that the bike StVZO-compliant is. There are 36 of these inconspicuous spoke reflectors from 3M Sekuclip Compact for 6 euros.

High-vis saddle bag

The four litre Saddle bag Saddle Bag Two High-Visibility offers space for tools and inner tubes, so you are well equipped in the event of a breakdown. A rain jacket can also be stowed inside. Price: 65 euros.

Spacer

They used to be seen frequently, then less and less often, and now they can be seen more often on the roads again: Spacers. These reflective trowels are mounted on the back of the bike - on the left-hand side (for right-hand traffic as in Germany). There is a white reflector at the front and a red reflector at the rear to ensure safety. The distance trowel can be folded up to the bike and folded out at a 90 degree angle to the bike for road traffic. This is intended to remind drivers to keep their distance. A distance of at least 1.5 metres is prescribed in built-up areas and at least 2 metres outside built-up areas. For example, there are from Busch + Müller a spacer for 7 euros.

Reflector for rucksack or bike

A rear reflector can be attached to your bike or rucksack. The rear reflector M313/1K from Busch + Müller is attached with cable ties. Price: 4 euros.

Visibility is not everything

Unfortunately, neither bicycle lights nor reflective elements or fluorescent colours guarantee that other road users will notice you as a cyclist. Drivers often overlook people on e-bikes or bicycles. And then even a cycle helmet often doesn't help much.