[Candice]

Ok, a couple of things I need opinions on please. I have become obsessed with not getting hit by cars when I approach intersections so I started doing a couple of things, like, weaving as I approach the intersection thinking that car that wants to turn right exactly into my lane will see me but I’m not sure if I should really be doing that or not or if it even really is accomplishing anything. I also do the regular stuff, like slow down, look ahead, watch peoples heads and their wheels and stuff but I’m a little nervous still.

I am also worried about the fact that my ride to work at 6am is now in complete darkness so I went to the HOME DEPOT to find some reflective tape or some reflective letters or something for my helmet and the back of my black backpack (helmet and jacket is white) but I didn’t see any appropriate reflective letters and no one who worked there could find the reflective tape. I’ll keep looking but if I put that on my helmet will it harm my helmet or anything? You know if I want the tape off, I don’t want it to be all tape-ified or something.

THEN, when the old man wanted to know what I need the reflective tape for he really gave me a hard time about riding a motorcycle and that I’m gonna die and I have no control over what other people do on the road and so on and so forth and he is not the only one that has brought up that stuff and it takes me like 2 or 3 DAYS to calm myself down about it. Does anybody else worry to the extent that you are stressed like I am. I am really trying not to go that way. Although I have to say some of the stories did prompt me to read about riding in safety on the road and I did learn some things.

Thanks for any advice or opinions that anyone has to offer.

[megaspaz]

what do you mean by weaving? like a cone weave thing in a single lane? usually around my parts, weaving, even when coming to a stop will get you a conversation with the local popo. Reflective tape, contrasting bright colors in your gear, modulating brake lights are pretty good things. Take note on the modulating brake light though. In some places that’s an illegal mod and a cop having a bad day can pull you for that.

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[Budd]

At least at night you get the headlight. people look for those. I wouldn’t worry about it too much. Just ride like they are out to get you. Sad to say, but regardless of what you wear, they are not going to see you. does your jacket not have reflective piping?

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Candice]

Yes, weaving like through cones but then I thought if a cop sees that he probably pull me over, so I guess I won’t do that anymore. What are modulating brake lights? I do flash my lights when I am stopped and I see cars coming up behind me.

I don’t think my jacket has reflective piping but there’s a lot of things I missed, like I couldn’t breath with my helmet on and my brother opened up the vent and said, can you breathe now? DAARRRR. I’ll make sure to look for that and I will also remember everyone is out to get me so I don’t get a false sense of security. Having a false sense of security is probably dangerous.

[Matt]

On my ERC course they tought that a very minor wiggle of the front headlight is enough to get the other drivers attention.
If you have a fork mounted headlight (one that turns when you turn your handlebars) you can do it with a very subtle weave (bike stays almost straigh, but the hotspot of the headlight moves a few feet to each side). On a fairing mounted light (like the Ninja) where you need to turn the entire bike, it isn’t worth it since the weave has to be too exagerated.

Retro-reflective (aka safety) vests are a good investment.

Modulating brake lights do exactly what you are doing – they flash thebrake lights whenever the brake light is on. A quick tap of the brakes before you apply them in ernest (just to wake up a driver behind you) and a quick flash of them when stopped as someone comes towards you are good enough imo (especialy given the inconsistent legality of it).

—
“The two seconds between ‘Oh S**!’ and the crash isn’t a lot of practice time.”

[canstaett]

I’ve got reflective tape on my helmet- got it at Wal Mart- and it was all of 2 bucks a roll. I designed some stuff to go on it and it looks great and lights up at night. I went through a couple of designs and had no problem taking the tape off with no damage.

[Candice]

I think my front headlight is fork mounted, so, I think I will continue to do the wiggle (with a little giggle) then (away from the driver was smart advice – thank you). I also like the safety vest or Xinglet thing too. That seems better than tape for sure.

Thanks for the modulating brake light explanation, I will just do as I am doing – manual style brake tapping.

[eon]

For your helmet you might want to consider a Halo reflective band. For my jacket i bought an Amphipod Xinglet which was only $21.

As far as intersections go, if I am concerned about a car not seeing me I will do one weave AWAY from the driver.

[eon]

You might be interested in reading this document. It talks about weaving at intersections in order to increase visibility.

[Candice]

Cool! That’s what I was originally thinking is that I would put little designs on the helmet also! And on my black back pack I was going to put HI and HOLA all over it, you know, it’s reflective AND friendly. I think I make a trip to wal-mart tonight, $2.00 is so the right price! Oh my gosh, we are so fashionable for $2.00!

[Candice]

I cant see the document.

[eon]

Messed up my link. Try this

[briderdt]

…there’s a light that attaches to the back of the helmet, 4 LED’s, that are wind-powered. I’m curous as to how well those work. Anyone?

[Munch]

Try the link below. 3M makes black reflective tape also. I have a roll coming in soon. I can’t give up my leather jacket so I got the black tape so I can survive the morning ride like you. I have no worries with intersections thank god as most of my ride is interstate. Though when we get into the stop and crawl traffic I start doing a slalom run up to the stopped cars ahead… be amazed how quick the car that WAS tailgaitin ya will drop back to give you some room. I also exercise the quick flashing of the brake lights at the 3 intersections I actually have to sit at. As far as 4 ways…. Pfft… I don’t care if it’s supposed to be my turn or not … I will happily wave everyone through ( unless it getting backed up) and then scoot on out. Even if its backed up I sometimes wait til someone honks at me to go through… then I atleast know they see me. There again though .. I look like a hoodlum and rarely will some one chance a counter with me no matter how dead wrong they are on their impression of me.

http://www.bikerhiway.com/reflective-gear-tape-decals-reflective-motorcycle-safety-tape-kits-c-70_33.html

]
Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h

[Rupmisc]

Even if modulating headlights aren’t OK to install, I flick back and forth from my low beams to high when I want to be extra visible. Of course, there’s always the horn (although you can’t quite predict whether they’ll hear it, or what they may do if they do).

[Author]

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