This is a cross post from beginnerbikers.org I think it deserves mention here because it is from Pat Hahn at the MN DOT. Their website is a great resource above and beyond tips on visibility. The link below will get you there. :thumb:
Here is the original post:
Short version: Very cool site, built it myself: www.HighViz.org. Lots of ideas there to make yourself more visible to other drivers. Check it out and if you think it's good info, tell your friends.
Long version <deep breath>:
Ask any rider, and they will probably tell you their biggest safety concern is being cut off, run over, or otherwise violated by another driver in traffic. Other drivers are the biggest wild card we face out there. All they have to do is make one little mistake, one moment of inattention, misjudge our speed and/or distance, and BAM! Ride's over.
And there's absolutely nothing we can do about it. Right?
Wrong.
As a rider, take control of your destiny by making yourself as visible as possible. Doing so will reduce the number of surprises you face every day and help you avoid getting blindsided by someone else's last-minute decision.
So what does that mean? What do people say when they talk about visibility? "Wear brightly colored gear and position yourself so people can see you." Well, duh. "Gee, thanks, great, that's all I need to know...I guess." Unfortunately, this advice leaves an awful lot to the imagination.
But hopefully, not any more. I've just posted a Web site with 20 ways to be more visible in traffic at www.HighViz.org. There's a little something for everyone.
The Top 10 High-Viz tips will give you the most bang for the buck. Ten More High-Viz Tips are some additional ways, not quite as effective as the Top 10, but worth mentioning. Each tip has a point value: mix and match and add them into your riding system until you reach 10 points. There's an interactive quiz ("Be a Perfect 10") that will give you a baseline idea of how conspicuous you are, then give you recommendations for what you can do to be more visible. There are also additional resources (links to info, research, products) and a reflective sticker contest to boot.
Anybody looking to improve their riding strategy, maybe buy some new gear this year, or possibly make some modifications to the bike, please check it out and see if there's something you can do to make make your ride safer and more enjoyable--and help people see you.
And if you like what you see there, please tell your friends! Feel free to cross-post this message to whatever forums or Web sites you think might benefit.
Go High-Viz!
Pat
P.S. Go High-Viz! is the new 2008-2009 public information and education campaign sponsored by the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center. To learn more about the campaign itself, visit here: http://www.dps.state.mn.us/mmsc/late...Home.asp?cid=4 If you cross-post this message to another site, please let me know: e-mail pat.hahn@state.mn.us.
Cool ideas...
I didnt like #'s 11 & 12
11. Avoid Riding at Night 1/2 point
12. Avoid Riding at Dawn/Dusk 1/2 point
Haha... may as well say (Avoid riding a motorcycle) :laugh:
I would believe that Night is safer than daytime :thumb:
What really pisses me off is that we've got great big signs saying watch for highway workers.News briefs telling us to watch for school buses.And city boards telling us to watch for people walking.
But! when was the last time you heard anyone on the news or such,saying spring is here..time to watch out for motorcycles! Or a billboard saying kill a biker go to jail.
My big ole butt! No one gives a crap about a motorcyclist! :icon_rolleyes:
Here in PA there are signs EVERYWHERE saying watch for motorcycles.. Even the large roadside light up message trailers. There are also a TON of non profit groups that distribute free "Motorcycles are Everywhere" signs :thumb:
Its strange but PA is 3rd in the US for motorcycle sales/population :thumb: I feel well represented here in PA as a Motorcyclist O0
In Illinois we do! I may not agree with ABATE and their helmet BS, but they do put up a number of VERY large banners over bridges on main roads around my neck of the woods. The banners are directed towards cage operators. Last year the slogan was:
"Start Seeing Motorcycles"
However, I haven't seen them anywhere else.
Not all of their tips are useful for all riders. However, at least a couple can be implemented by ANY rider. That's part of the reason why I thought it worthwhile to cross post. :thumb:
Edit:
Scott, where do I get some "Motorcycles are Everywhere" stickers? :icon_mrgreen:
You're right! I do recall seeing a few roadside changeable message boards with several different cage-oriented motorcycle messages. :thumb:
Oh well,Tennessee.Need I say more. :icon_mrgreen:
LED light are a great asset too. i don't have a white helmet but a bright yellow one and my jacket is also bright yellow. i keep my highbeam on all the time to heck with the cages, it can't hurt their eyes that much. i did put reflective tape on my wheels and on different points on my bike. but my biggest safety feature is that i pay attention. i drive defensively and DO NOT listen to music while riding
Quote from: frankieG on March 24, 2008, 05:18:36 PMbut my biggest safety feature is that i pay attention. i drive defensively and DO NOT listen to music while riding
Amen!
(Practice helps too!) :cheers:
Thats cool, I forgot to post that over here.
Anyways I helped Pat with some of that website so... :icon_mrgreen:
Good post :thumb:
hmm.. I'm thinking I might buy one of these for commuting http://www.olympiamotosports.com/nova/nova.htm
Thanks for posting that.
Quote from: Travis-Mc on March 26, 2008, 09:55:55 PMI'm thinking I might buy one of these for commuting
I got myself one of these (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_200963_langId_-1_categoryId_49102) for 1/10th of the price but I had to get my missus to put some pop fasteners down the front to stop the velcro coming undone at 60+mph. Like you I wear it for commuting, when I know 90% of the cages around me have done the same trip a thousand times and aren't paying attention any more. :icon_rolleyes:
yeah that one does the job for a fraction of the cost but I like the one I posted because it looks somewhat designed for a motorcycle. The one you bought looks like a vest a construction worker would wear. I bet people think you're on your way to the job site! ;)
Quote from: coll0412 on March 25, 2008, 10:07:07 AM
Thats cool, I forgot to post that over here.
Anyways I helped Pat with some of that website so... :icon_mrgreen:
Bah! No cookie for you then! :flipoff:
Nah... Keep up the good work guys, it's a great site. Show's it's small world too. :cheers:
White helmet- yup.
I never understood black helmets- or worse- the HD flat black ones!
You can wire a cheapo Wal Mart "trailer connector" into the rear lights, so the amber turn signals come on with the brake light- I did it to my Concours- REALLY bright and attention-getting. (And the turn signals still work)
Lime green or yellow vest- yup
Companies make reflective circles to stick on the wheel rims
Add side marker lights- good, as the stock reflectors are feeble
Run with bright lights on- good
Loud pipes- nope, they are just irritating to others and don't help people notice you coming.
Kind of hard to slather reflective tape on a GS, but Concours owners put it on the backs of the hard bags.
Ride safe
http://www.bikerfriend.org/order.asp
hiz viz is a great thing...
Tail light blinkers - cheap 20$ solution that makes a "pay attention" day or night... Love mine.
(http://longcoeur.com/gs500mods/brakeflashing/S5001107.JPG)
video fo it in action
http://longcoeur.com/gs500mods/brakeflashing/flash%20tailight%20leds.wmv
helmets reflectrive taped for night riding is another thing that is cheap and worsk very well
mine
(http://longcoeur.com/various/S5001759.JPG)
wife's
(http://longcoeur.com/various/S5001763.JPG)
Taping the gs can help alot when riding in cities roads and lots of side incoming traffic.
(http://longcoeur.com/gs500mods/reflective/S5000628.jpg)
Tail light blinkers - cheap 20$ solution that makes a "pay attention" day or night... Love mine.
(http://longcoeur.com/gs500mods/brakeflashing/S5001107.JPG)
Where can we find these taillight blinkers and how are they installed? Is there a 'How To' on the wiki page? If not, would you consider making a write up? I really like this mod. I've gotten in the habit of flashing my brake light manually with the front brake lever but this seems much easier and more effective. Thanks
1. I bought mine at local cyclegear.com store but they sell them on they web site store :
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=BUZ_1041908_G&tier2=81
2. of course I put it on the wiki like months ago :)
http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Upgrades/Add-onFlashingLEDsBrakeLights
Cool tail light blinkers! I'm going to have to get some of those. :thumb:
Haven't decided what kind of reflective stickers I'm going to get from tapeworks yet. :icon_mrgreen:
Quote from: GeeP on April 02, 2008, 07:56:48 AM
Cool tail light blinkers! I'm going to have to get some of those. :thumb:
Yeah I ride all the time (daily driver) its great to get texas size F350 off your arse.
As for tape I bough my stuff from http://www.streetglo.net/
super black is way cool, cant see it on my rear arm, then POOF!!! ya see it !
Quote from: pbureau69 on April 02, 2008, 04:03:40 AM
1. I bought mine at local cyclegear.com store but they sell them on they web site store :
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=BUZ_1041908_G&tier2=81
2. of course I put it on the wiki like months ago :)
http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Upgrades/Add-onFlashingLEDsBrakeLights
:kiss3: :bowdown: :cheers: THANKS!!
Is there a plug and play led tail light that flashes on and off without having to wire it separately like the H4 headlight flasher kit from kisan?? I'd just want to plug in a bulb and call it a day. I know its possible, but feesable, who knows.
Quote from: pbureau69 on April 02, 2008, 04:03:40 AM
2. of course I put it on the wiki like months ago :)
http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Upgrades/Add-onFlashingLEDsBrakeLights
Linkey-no-workie right for me. I can go into the 'history' tab for the text, but the images didn't link correctly.
:dunno_white: :dunno_white: :dunno_white:
Quote from: Jon The Buddha on May 15, 2008, 10:16:32 AM
Quote from: pbureau69 on April 02, 2008, 04:03:40 AM
2. of course I put it on the wiki like months ago :)
http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Upgrades/Add-onFlashingLEDsBrakeLights
Linkey-no-workie right for me. I can go into the 'history' tab for the text, but the images didn't link correctly.
:dunno_white: :dunno_white: :dunno_white:
looks like a public wiki attack from what I see on tha wiki page I linked to..
Ill redo it after this weekend, but you can see the pictures at my web server:
picture of it installed :
(http://longcoeur.com/Motorcycle/technotes/brake%20flashing/S5001107.JPG)
video of it in action : http://longcoeur.com/Motorcycle/technotes/videos/flash%20tailight%20leds.wmv
Excellent, Thanks! :thumb: That vid is perfect to show how well it works. I'm definately doing that!
Cool idea, but in most states and blinking red lights are a big no no :nono:
Blinking red is reserved for Emergency vehicles only :thumb:
Quote from: scottpA_GS on May 15, 2008, 01:52:21 PM
Cool idea, but in most states and blinking red lights are a big no no :nono:
Blinking red is reserved for Emergency vehicles only :thumb:
for the record its a blinking red BRAKE light , cause it only comes on when brakes are applied.
its legal, beside if flashing rear pointed red light are illegal, why do you see every tom duck and harry on a bycicle at night with that flashy red blink red light under their seat to make you pay attention...duh!
Some states are strange...it's worth checking to make sure.