Hi-Viz vs Stealth : Riding gear color

[lightspd]

I actually saw that exact link in another forum that had an "ask a cop" section.   The OP then asked if a blue beacon could be worn on a belt/backpack/helmet and the officer replied that once a rider mounts a motorcycle,  they become a part of it and would be in violation of the law.

Makes me wonder how the law would address a reflector that was blue...

Lol, I just googled illuminated shirt and scrolled through the pics till I saw one that was very bright. California sounds crazy restrictive. While I appreciate no blue and red, I've seen plenty of other colors around here. Mostly neon colors, but blue major no no.

[NAKID]

In a nutshell, I discovered that my eyes are attracted to blue light and then discovered that it is illegal to emit blue light as a civilian.  Merica.

Same here, can spot a moto cop from behind a mile away.

That being said, studies have been conducted that show blue lights are easier to see at a greater distance than red lights...

[Privateer]

I'm pretty sure it's the DOT FMVSS s108 that defines what color lights can be used. But I'm not any kind of Leo soooo...

[S21FOLGORE]

Black helmet, white helmet

Here’s another video, showing you black helmet / outfit and white helmet / jacket back to back.

Which one is easier to spot ?

Notice how the female passenger who’s wearing white helmet and white jacket stays visible against constantly changing background color?

Next (if possible), I will try to take video / photo of the frontal image of Hi-viz vs Stealth.

[oldndumb]

No argument here that certain colors are more noticeable than others. However accepting that concept and applying it to roadway safety, it would have to bear on all vehicles on a road. And if that were true, dark colored automobiles would be run into more frequently than others. Not being aware of any such statistic, and the color of my car never being a factor for my insurance rate, I have to believe that this is an interesting observation, but remains a theory until proven with statistics.

One thing that has been proven is that someone can look directly at an object, color not being a factor, and not register that object to the point of not being aware of it. Thus the statements, "I looked and did not see him." There is also Empty Field Myopia, which may come into play on occasion depending on the environment.

Wearing white helmets may increase your chances of not being hit, or maybe not. Keeping up with your situational awareness and always thinking of an "out" definitely increases your odds of surviving. After all, they are out to get you.

[SpikeC]

[quote author=oldndumb link=topic=70734.msg1309004#msg1309004 date=1430930218

 Keeping up with your situational awareness and always thinking of an "out" definitely increases your odds of surviving. After all, they are out to get you.
[/quote]

 This^!

[Privateer]

found what I was looking for.

http://blog.lib.umn.edu/olso1784/motorcycle/

-High visibility clothing and white helmets have been shown to reduce risk of crash compared to other methods.

http://www.bmj.com/content/328/7444/857.full?sid=56823197-4b00-48fb-8592-c1a8d225a479

After adjustment for potential confounders, drivers wearing any reflective or fluorescent clothing had a 37% lower risk (multivariate odds ratio 0.63, 95% confidence interval 0.42 to 0.94) than other drivers. Compared with wearing a black helmet, use of a white helmet was associated with a 24% lower risk (multivariate odds ratio 0.76, 0.57 to 0.99). Self reported light coloured helmet versus dark coloured helmet was associated with a 19% lower risk.

[koko64]

Very useful info, thanks.
Good thread.

[S21FOLGORE]

This is NOT "Easy Rider", this is a motorcycle safety film (1973).
Peter Fonda and Evil Knievel. They mention about "wearing white helmet" in this film.
Certain things haven't changed that much since then, I guess.

[d3vi@nt]

No argument here that certain colors are more noticeable than others. However accepting that concept and applying it to roadway safety, it would have to bear on all vehicles on a road. And if that were true, dark colored automobiles would be run into more frequently than others. Not being aware of any such statistic, and the color of my car never being a factor for my insurance rate, I have to believe that this is an interesting observation, but remains a theory until proven with statistics.

One thing that has been proven is that someone can look directly at an object, color not being a factor, and not register that object to the point of not being aware of it. Thus the statements, "I looked and did not see him." There is also Empty Field Myopia, which may come into play on occasion depending on the environment.

Wearing white helmets may increase your chances of not being hit, or maybe not. Keeping up with your situational awareness and always thinking of an "out" definitely increases your odds of surviving. After all, they are out to get you.

Good points, particularly regarding situational awareness.

It seems that there are at least a few studies out there that point to increased accident rates in darker colored cars. Here's one: http://www.monash.edu.au/miri/research/reports/muarc263.pdf

I think one of the big differences is that bikes are 1) smaller than cars/trucks and therefore less visible, and 2) a minority in traffic and therefore don't register the same in the brain/perception of drivers (empty field myopia?).

I came across a statistic somewhere (can't remember where) that indicated bigger bikes and bikes with fairings were less prone to getting hit as compared to smaller and/or naked bikes.

And another study that tends to support increased visibility with reduced risk:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC387473/

Of course, they'll probably come out with another study that discounts the previous studies, but I've always liked the 'Be Safe Be Seen' mantra. Along with assuming that everyone is out to kill me. Wife included. 

[mikefred]

In the past, I always kind of color matched my helmet to my bike for the most part.
Usually a grey/silver or black.

When I dumped my Diavel and was hunting for a new bike, I was also in the hunt for a new helmet.

I got this one:

Rear shot:

(Arai Corsair V "Ducati Stripe")

Jokingly I even said in the shop, "They're not gonna miss this helmet!"

[Slide Panda]

From FHE, spotting a white helmet is way easier. Over time I've lead several small group rides. When my sweep rider was in a white helmet it was so much easier/faster to pick him out when in a white helmet.

[SpikeC]

 I am reminded of a time when I was sitting outside a stable with a 4 lane road passing by it. A city bus had stopped to make a lefthand turn, and a fellow in a Detroit Landbarge ran into the back of it. He didn't see it.
 I have always had dark colored bikes until I got my first Ducati with never having a car run into me (about 50 years) and now I have about the loudest paint job I can imagine, but I still ride with the same situational awareness!