I'm firmly of the opinion that you can't be seen often enough when you're out riding your bike. However indestructible you might think you are, if you get hit by something bigger than you when you're on your bike, you're basically toast. At this time of year, with the clocks just changed, you still see a frankly terrifying number of people on their bikes in dark clothes and with either inadequate lights or no lights at all. It's as if they were somehow taken by surprise by night drawing in so early. "Well, it was light enough when I set off this morning..."
It's a form of natural selection.
I normally don't cycle anywhere without more than my fair share of luminous clothing, but to quote that famous scoundrel and cyclist, Lando Calrissian, I've just made a deal that will keep the Empire out of here forever.
What do you think, eh? That was taken using the flash in a dark room. Essentially, when I'm hit by headlights or something, I'll light up like a lightsabre. It's one of these babies. Not cheap, but honestly, what price do you put on your safety? Plus, you know... you get to glow like a lightsabre and/or look like a member of the Shamen c. 1991. Sorted.
And because all bloggers are by nature narcissists, here's a picture with the lights on (with Blue Steel thrown in for free...)
Funnily enough, I actually fell off my bike on the way into work this morning, and I've got no one to blame but myself. I came across a dropped kerb at an angle and my wet wheel just slipped away from under the bike on the greasy kerb, and down I came.
Given that the last time I came off my bike (which we DO NOT talk about), I gashed open my leg and cracked a couple of ribs, I was quite pleased to this come away with nothing more than a grazed knee and bruised hip and elbow. And a sense of mild embarrassment, of course.
I guess visibility isn't everything.
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