Recently, I was pleasantly surprised when a lorry gave me the maximum amount of clearance on the road. The driver opted to safely overtake almost entirely in the opposite lane of traffic. It was nice to be spared that horrible loud noise and sensation that you get from inconsiderate drivers. A new jacket by HighVisibility may be the solution to having more pleasant experiences like this one.
The design is inspired from hi-vis jackets that have been tested by thousands of horse riders. According to users of the jacket, the jacket has a huge effect on the way they are treated on the roads.
The jacket is fully adjustable so that you can fit it tightly no matter how many layers you are wearing.
It is currently available for £24.99.
Another product stocked by HighVisiblity is the Laser Light. Again, this is designed to be seen by traffic and also to encourage drivers to give you space on the roads.
The rear light forms a kind of projection on to the road that creates a bike lane.
It’s also integrated with a traditional bike light that gives you a wide visibility angle of up to 270 degrees.
The battery time lasts about 10 hours and the product is retailing at just £14.99.
I like the idea behind both of these products and it will be good to hear feedback from cyclists.
Competition!
HighVisibility have got in touch with me and want to give one lucky reader either a laser lane or a safety jacket. Usual competition rules apply (One winner, one entry per person, randomly chosen winner, open to UK residents only etc.)
To enter simply leave a comment below discussing which product you think you’d find most useful.
Look like a policeman! A sure fire way to make drivers be on their best behaviour! Love the cycle lane lights; so scary when cars drive too close.
The bike lane works very well if you’re riding on a main road in a consistent line – but I was passing one the other day who changed direction and caught me off guard. Without the lane I would likely have realised he was changing direction, but I think it was a “false sense of security” problem… I assumed that, since I was leaving him the space his “lane” asked for, we were all happy, but when that requirement changed I had a hard time adjusting for it.
Generally a good idea, but needs to be treated carefully!
Living in the New Forest it is a very common sight to see horse riders with vests similar to this one, and increasingly bike riders here have also adopted these hi-vis vests and jackets. Whilst “town and city” cycling can be hazardous, please do not forget us “country dwellers” where we have to contend with boy-racers, tourists still driving along whilst looking at the sights, checking their maps (or gps) or pulling alongside whilst you’re cycling to ask the way, causing you to go through potholes that you would have otherwise avoided! So anything that draws attention to the fact that you are there and should be given space is great. I particularly like the Laser Light as at the very least it should make drivers aware that space is needed and should be given. Great idea!
Jacket; Its really useful that at first glance you appear to be a police officer. For a lone female cyclist this not only gives you more visibility, but may reduce the number of “show us you tits”, nice arse etc comments that are in abundance.
Light; I also like the light. It draws the eye to the obvious place. But wakes the driver up by drawing it to a different place (the road).
I LIKE BOTH!
Andreas – I reckon we need you to check out with the police for us whether this draws too close to impersonating a police officer!
It’s perfectly fine, these things have been around for years and are already used by cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists.
I think the bike lane light – the Laser light. It will make a driver aware of the gap between car and rider.
The high viz jacket, I think, wont work too well as unless you are on a ‘sit up and beg’ bike the wording/design wont be seen.
What a great idea for cyclists combining both day and night visibility. I think it will cause other road users to take more care around me. Just the thing for cycle commuting in London!
I like both of these items when combinded together it should attract the drivers attention during the day wearing the Hi Viz vest and at night using the Lazer light.
Like both ideas, great if they work . motorists tend to give cyclists very little space so the idea of the laser light is absolutely brilliant. creating a moving cycle lane is a fantastic idea, & I’m sure drivers would give you more space.
The Jacket looks like a Police Jacket – that’s probably part of why the cyclist will be given a wide berth!
Yes, well done – that’s the point.
I have just bought and started using the jacket on my SE1 to NW1 commute. I also have a high-vis helmet, and the combination is convincingly authoritative. Motorists really do seem to respondent to it, and give me a wide berth.
While I was already a fairly law-abiding cyclist, stopping at reds etc., when wearing it I do feel the pressure to be extra well behaved myself as well.
So if you spot me on Waterloo Bridge impersonating a Polite man, say hello!
Without a doubt, the Polite jacket makes a big difference to the way I am treated on the road. In the main, cars slow down, I get extra space, and I’d strongly recommend it to any cyclist. Best money I’ve spent on the bike.
The lane light is a good idea, but I think the hi-viz jacket is visible from all around, not just behind, and uses the brightness of the sun and car lights, not the power of 2 AAA batteries. Plus, if it’s dark you should have lights anyway.
So, I vote for the safety jacket.
What a brilliant idea….it’s supposed to be healthy and environmentally friendly to ride a bike….dicing with death as I seem to every time I go out doesn’t come under either of these categories! I always wear a high vis but love the design of this one! At last the selfish motorists will take notice of me! Nice one!
I like both of these products. However, as I use a backpack (supplemented with hi vis waterproof cover) the wording on the vest would not justify its use, particularly given that I paid the princely sum of £2.00 for the hi vis vest I use now.
The light, however, is an excellent idea, because: (1) it creates a ‘safe channel’ that is likely to influence all but the most reckless drivers to concede safe space to cyclists and (2) unlike the vest, it is legally uncontroversial…
For these reasons, I’m intent on getting hold of the latter, which is, at long last, a cycle rear lighting innovation that is comparable with the remarkable improvements in front lighting that have emerged over the last decade and more (vastly improved LEDs, a change in the law allowing flashing lights, increased battery life, etc).
I thought it was illegal to have anything resembling POLICE on a vehicle or clothing.
Google, and you will see it is not illegal.
I like it both very much! Looks like Police, making drivers slow down!
Up north we have been colouring in our white headlights with a blue marker, makes you look a bit more “official” and drivers take a bit more notice.
I love the lights, such a good idea.
The blue reflective would be callased as a light and thus not legal as blue lights require a permit.
You can only show white / orange lights at the front and red / orange lights at the rear, same goes with refective tape.
What a great idea that hi visibility jacket is.
Obviously this jacket works because it makes drivers think it says “police”. I’ve nothing against it though, anything that makes road users respect each other is great.
The laser light is a brilliant idea
Now, all we need is a gadget to stop cyclists jumping junctions and giving the rest of us a bad name
It would help more if the police did far more bicycle patrols so that motorists would be more likely to encounter them while driving. There’s a massive change in driver behaviour whenever a police bicycle rider uses the cycle lanes near me… they all slow right down and pass wide…
I think this vest is pure genius!! my daughter is an avid cyclist (triathlete) and regularly trains on country lanes, I would love her to wear this vest.
Did anyone see this on Dragons Den? The owner hopes to go global..