But look how impracticable and dangerous this is,  As a motorist I know how invisible cyclists are, so where is the  hi visibility or reflective  clothing or even bright colours to be seen.

 

But there are practical considerations, So I have a collection of red coats! and I am obsessed with cycle bags that do not look like cycle bags! When I cycle to town or to the shops I do not want to walk around looking like a cycle geek!

I cycle to work at 0615h in the cold and dark, up steep hills and often in the rain. I once read a question, “how do you keep dry on a bike?  answer, you don’t. LOL!  this is because if you wear a jacket that prevents rain from soaking through, the condensation formed inside makes you wet.  So I am just resigned to being damp in the rain!..and it rains a lot around here.

 So then  I need clothes that will be seen and which will dry out at work before the ride home.. And of course I need to shower before work and have a change of clothes.

This is my jacket for work. Hi visiblity, reflective panels, waterproof and breathable.

Roomy enough to wear a sweater underneath for those freezing cold mornings.

BUT NOT VERY GLAMOROUS!

I have lots of lights. Flashing in my helmet, flashing on the bike. Two at the front and three at the back. I wear hi visiblity reflective clothing and a well fitting helmet.

But I would love a bit of cycle chic as shown on the images on this website.
http://www.cyclechic.co.uk/

 Cycle cape, a bit “mumsy” and again not refective or high vis

There ARE chic helmets around, like this Yakkay one,  which I LOVE,  but a but pricey at 94 euro!

 

Cyclechic advertise this black mac with reflective panels. at £129……  don’t they know cyclists want to save money!

 

But frankly, only a fool, or somebody with a death wish wears black on a bike during the day. (and where is the helmet?)  Motorists may be more cycle aware in London or big cities, but here, because there are not a lot of us around here, they just do not SEE you unless you are lit up like a Christmas tree.

So unfortunately this is the best I can do!

Denise
love from Bolton