The Importance of Being Seen

cadseen

Just saw this ...

Proviz Launch Interactive Cycling Video - ‘Out of the Dark ‘

Proviz have teamed up with ad agency AMV BBDO, the UK’s most awarded creative agency, and digital studio Caviar Digital to create ‘Out of the Dark’, an interactive experience that highlights the importance of being seen at night for a cyclist.

The video, which follows a cyclist riding home from work in the dark, invites the viewer to click on screen to see what the cyclist looks like when using a Proviz REFLECT360 and when not, with very different experiences and outcomes.

Proviz co-Founder Anthony Langly-Smith comments ‘Most cyclists understand the importance of being seen when cycling at night, but many cyclists are riding with little or no reflective material. The video highlights the Proviz REFLECT360 cycling jacket, which is made exclusively from reflective material and has been in high demand this winter. We hope viewers will play around with the video and share it with friends and family so that as many cyclists as possible are aware of the safety benefits of being seen at night.’

As part of Proviz’s commitment to cycle safety, for every REFLECT360 jacket purchased through the video, Proviz will donate £5 to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

Michael Corley, RoSPA’s Head of Campaigns and Fundraising, said: “Cycling at night can be a risky business – so it’s really important that cyclists do all they can to be seen by other road users.
Proviz’s REFLECT360 jacket is a great way to increase visibility in the dark – while also raising awareness of our charity’s vital work, because £5 from the sale of each jacket will go towards our mission to save lives and reduce injuries.”

The video is best viewed on a desktop at http://www.outofthedark.tv or watch the trailer at http://youtu.be/BhFO4ilb9dg

cookeeemonster

couple of points...

1. the video is made by proviz, so will naturally show it in the best light (fair enough)
2. the guy has a virtually non existant rear light - high viz will never replace that
3. only works when lights are shining on it. Most cyclists aren't hit from behind or from the front (when headlights would be shining on them) but rather from the side at junctions/side roads etc - high viz dont help here as car lights hit it too late, strong bike lights and appropriate road positioning would

Having said that it's a great advancement, it definaetly is useful and I hope they develop some different versions (breathable and slimmer for a start) plus some rucksack covers and so on? I've got the impression from initial reviews on here that it's a bit of a sweatbox if you put any effort in which is why I mentioned breathability

CitizenLee

CookeeeMonster wrote:

Having said that it's a great advancement, it definaetly is useful and I hope they develop some different versions (breathable and slimmer for a start) plus some rucksack covers and so on? I've got the impression from initial reviews on here that it's a bit of a sweatbox if you put any effort in which is why I mentioned breathability

They do also make bag covers, rucksacks, vests and gilets in the Reflect 360 range.

I was tempted by the cycle jacket, but also heard it's somewhat of a boil in the bag affair.

cookeeemonster

CitizenLee wrote:

CookeeeMonster wrote:

Having said that it's a great advancement, it definaetly is useful and I hope they develop some different versions (breathable and slimmer for a start) plus some rucksack covers and so on? I've got the impression from initial reviews on here that it's a bit of a sweatbox if you put any effort in which is why I mentioned breathability

They do also make bag covers, rucksacks, vests and gilets in the Reflect 360 range.

I was tempted by the cycle jacket, but also heard it's somewhat of a boil in the bag affair.

hmmm interesting, I thought they'd only done the rucksack so far. Do I need it/would I use it....?

Would like to see it in a shop to see how much of a faff it is to put on and take off, otherwise it'll be a waste of money (they mention straps and press studs...dont wanna spend time at the start and end of my journey with extra faff)

whoof

That was disappointing I thought it was going to be an Oscar Wilde sequel.

CitizenLee

CookeeeMonster wrote:

CitizenLee wrote:

CookeeeMonster wrote:

Having said that it's a great advancement, it definaetly is useful and I hope they develop some different versions (breathable and slimmer for a start) plus some rucksack covers and so on? I've got the impression from initial reviews on here that it's a bit of a sweatbox if you put any effort in which is why I mentioned breathability

They do also make bag covers, rucksacks, vests and gilets in the Reflect 360 range.

I was tempted by the cycle jacket, but also heard it's somewhat of a boil in the bag affair.

hmmm interesting, I thought they'd only done the rucksack so far. Do I need it/would I use it....?

Would like to see it in a shop to see how much of a faff it is to put on and take off, otherwise it'll be a waste of money (they mention straps and press studs...dont wanna spend time at the start and end of my journey with extra faff)

That's what would put me off using any bag cover to be honest, although as you you say would be good to try it first. My local Halfords sell the Reflect 360 jackets but none of the other products unfortunately. Bigger stores might though.

Kieran_Burns

I use a cover and the straps crossover under the arm straps. You can un-clip one side and pull the cover out of the way to get to the rucksack contents. It's not really inconvenient and adds a layer of water protection.

macleod113

Kieran_Burns wrote:

I use a cover and the straps crossover under the arm straps. You can un-clip one side and pull the cover out of the way to get to the rucksack contents. It's not really inconvenient and adds a layer of water protection.

i have the bag cover on my xmas list as it seems fairly straight forward. a tiny bit of faff is worthwhile i think for the level of visability it gives and the waterproofing element is defo welcome in winter/spring!

FCE2007

I have a reflective ruck sack and a rear see sense. If they don't see me they shouldn't be driving.

asquithea

Mmm, it's pretty aggressive advertising, but I do agree with the sentiment - there are way too many ninjas out there. I drive occasionally as well as cycle, and some cyclists and pedestrians just fade into the murk.

I'm also a bit paranoid about being hit from the side, so I use some extra lights and reflectors:
- Altura night vision jacket
- Cateye Nanoshot+ at the front and a Cateye LD1100 at the back
- Scotchlite spoke reflector tubes on the back wheel
- Monkeylight on the front wheel

airbag

This shit is why I've stopped cycling.

I don't want to look like a dork all the time and I don't want to die. If it's a binary choice, not cycling is the easiest thing to do

bendertherobot

So, in that last shot, where's the light coming from?

And why has he such poor lights?

Gussio

Lost my rear light somewhere Richmond Park and Earlsfield last night. Didn't realize until arriving. Had felt strangely vulnerable for most of the ride, as if cars hadn't spotted me....

Rechargeable batteries in it too, ffs.

cookeeemonster

bendertherobot wrote:

So, in that last shot, where's the light coming from?

And why has he such poor lights?

He has such staggeringly poor lights so proviz can con people into thinking their jacket is the solution. In the city at least it's likely by the time the headlights hit the jacket it'll be too late for avoiding action (most accidents happening at junctions/side roads etc and not from behind on a straight road).

bendertherobot

CookeeeMonster wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

So, in that last shot, where's the light coming from?

And why has he such poor lights?

He has such staggeringly poor lights so proviz can con people into thinking their jacket is the solution. In the city at least it's likely by the time the headlights hit the jacket it'll be too late for avoiding action (most accidents happening at junctions/side roads etc and not from behind on a straight road).

Indeed. Have you noticed how often people use the phrase "I saw this cyclist last night, dressed in black, no lights."

It's amazing just how visible these ninja cyclists are.

cookeeemonster

bendertherobot wrote:

CookeeeMonster wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

So, in that last shot, where's the light coming from?

And why has he such poor lights?

He has such staggeringly poor lights so proviz can con people into thinking their jacket is the solution. In the city at least it's likely by the time the headlights hit the jacket it'll be too late for avoiding action (most accidents happening at junctions/side roads etc and not from behind on a straight road).

Indeed. Have you noticed how often people use the phrase "I saw this cyclist last night, dressed in black, no lights."

It's amazing just how visible these ninja cyclists are.

^ times like, a billion!

Not defending the ninjas at all but most urban steets are well lit and the only time you wont see them is when you're exceeding the speed limit and/or distracted by something else i.e. not looking properly.

People do need to understand that the SMIDSY excuse is a failsafe way of gaming the justice system, not saying high viz etc etc shouldn't be used and doesn't have it's place because it does but people tell the police 'didn't see 'em guv' because they'll avoid justice - it's a tried and tested excuse used over many decades for all 2 wheeled incidents motorbikes included.