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Hi viz or not to hi viz
Nick L
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Ok, so its winter, long dark nights etc etc.
As a runner do you need to wear, should you wear Hi-viz stuff? Some people at my club seem to think it is pretty much mandatory....I am less convinced.
Generally people will run on a pavement...cross a few roads, and that is it. No different to when you are a pedestrian in my opinion. You dont wear a hi-viz tabbard then do you?
Cyclists....without lights (was given as a comparison in this discussion)...share the same space....cars and pedestrians (generally) do not.
If you get hit by a car, one of you is in the wrong place surely? If you cross a road, its your responsibiltiy is it not - Tufty club and all that.
I accept that if you have to run in the road (lanes etc) then fair enough - indeed I wear hi-viz if i know I am going to be running in the road and it is daytime! Sensible. I will wear hi viz if I am goign for a run in the hills...(if something goes wrong - easier to spot you)
Just wondering what other peeps think on this matter
Oh and lets keep it lighthearted...it is a Friday after all.
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Comments
Actually Pops, that is a good point...any light colour 'works' just as well when it is dark - especially when mixed with street lighting....hi viz is more effective when it is murky.
A lot of my running is along towpaths and other paths shared with cyclists. So yes, I tend to wear a hi-viz vest when it's dark (in fact, it has a rather natty hi-viz skeleton print).
I also use a headtorch and oncoming cyclists who have hi-viz get lit up like a Christmas tree, so the stuff is certainly effective.
The more visible you are, the better, I reckon. For cyclists and motorists and everyone else. There's a reason why they're referred to as SMIDSY's.
I agree with you Nick - I don't wear hi-viz in the day time, or extra reflective stuff at night (much of my running kit seems to have a bit of reflective stuff on it somewhere) for running on pavements.
I walk home from the station in the dark after work - I don't wear hi-viz/reflective clothing to do that, so I don't feel the need to when running.
pootles off to google SMIDSY
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ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I think that if you're in a shared space (that includes cyclists) where there aren't street lights then you should wear something reflective.
I do see groups from other local running clubs (who are also running on well-lit pavements) with flashing arm-bands.
I just don't see the need myself.
I wear hi-viz stuff when I go out in the evening, both on my own and with my running club. My rationale is that the more visible I am the less likely I'll get hit or bump into someone. It means that other pedestrians can see me coming and can move to one side of the pavement (if I'm lucky), or else if they haven't moved I'm more visible when I jog onto the road to go round them. My hi-vis consists of a bright pink running top and a running bib with reflective strips so I should be visible for miles!!
Can't hurt. Better to be safe than sorry.
When you're walking on the pavement in your own time you've got more time to plan where to walk and less likely to take risks (Which sometimes I do when I want to keep moving, I'll do anything to keep my pace going!).
Wilkie - in the groups on club nights, the group leaders and sweepers always wear hi viz if we are on the road - including summertime.....more so out of an elf n safety/identification thing.
Ultimately I guess it is up to the individual, but I was just wondering about what others thought.
Just Jules - "if im lucky" - i know what you mean - people sometimes dont move, even if they clearly have seen you, and its light!
A tired driver, having had a few drinks, talking on his phone and smoking a fag turns into a poorly lit road in a rain shower. Is he more likely to see the runner crossing the road who's wearing black or the runner wearing bright colours and reflectives? I drive on a daily basis, and I'm often appalled at the standard of driving that I see every day - the inattention, the laziness and above all the f*ck you attitude of so many drivers, and for that simple reason I'll make sure that I'm visible, even if theoretically I'm not going to come in direct contact with vehicles. Bright colours cost no more than black, and a decent flourescent bib or a flashing armband can be had for a fiver and will last for years. A runner is always going to come off second best with a car - is your life not worth more than a fiver?
It's an interesting idea that, as a runner (rather than a normal pedestrian) that the normal pedestrians should move out of our way.
Whilst I am grateful if they do, why do I have right of way? Just because I'm moving faster?
At night theres no point just wearing fluo colours - you cant see them unless theres a good light source. So if you're out at night - you'd be better off in reflective kit.
I usually run in a hi viz tabard on dark winter nights. So its Fluo Yellow with wide reflective bands across. So if a motorist is turning into a road as I cross it - he should at least see me. Its more an insurance policy rather than anything else - I shouldn't get hit as I'm on the pavement, but if I'm careless crossing the road - then Hi Viz wont do any harm to my chances.
I don't expect anyone to move out of my way and am happy to do the moving - but do get annoyed when people move into my way when i've already moved to avoid them. People texting and walking are my current annoyance - like trying to predict how a drunk will move i.e. no chance.
Don't always wear hi-vis but usually have reflective stuff on, such as a buff, bumbag etc. to reflect headlights when its dark.
I have one of those flourescent and reflective tabards. Also a head torch with both front & rear lights. I don't care if it means I look like a strange form of travelling Christmas tree, I'm going to both see and be seen. And the head torch is proving it's worth - the council has taken to turning off a lot of street lights, especially those on minor roads, so even if I'm running round town it can be pretty dark. Pavement condition not the best either.
it's useful to be visible even if you are only going to be crossing roads. I find cars will often slow if you're approaching the road, so that you can cross ahead of them, rather than having to stop until they've passed. Better they see you sooner than both have to stop suddenly.
The club has a rule that if you're out with them then you have to wear Hi-vis all year round, but that seems to have been imposed by the insurance. And if one person in the group isn't wearing it, then no one is covered. Yes, seems a bit strong, but it's an easy enough rule to comply with.
It does make it easy to see the group if it's got a bit strung out, and as a directionally challenged individual, knowing where they've gone is always useful!
I like to run ninja style. Although communting on my bike i have lots of lights, reflective and hi-viz.
On another thread i mentioned that running ninja style means i am not as noticable to the lairy group on hormone overload hanging about at the park.. but the time they notice me i am gone...... although i did get called a 'f***ing c***t' the other night for no apparent reason by a delightful bunch of our great nations future adults.
‘Ninja’ style for me too. I can see marginal benefit in hi viz/ reflective, but choose to take that risk and wear what I am comfortable in. Cross roads carefully and watch out for cars sneaking out of driveways then no other problems in my experience.
On the point of ‘why do I have the right of way’ – I don’t, but I do expect equal rights. I.e. pull your dog lead in or stay on your side of the path. The number of times this doesn’t happen are infuriating, although a sarcastic thank-you or dog hurdle usually compensates.
Definitely definitely ''yes'' to hi viz for me.
I am very careful, don't take risks, run on pavements in well lit areas, not fast enough to worry about to slowing my pace for crossing roads, am both a driver and a cyclist so think I can read roads and traffic pretty well but ( and I bet you knew there would be a 'but ' coming! ...........one tiny split second of inattention put me rolling over a car bonnet a couple of years ago.
It was entirely my fault and not sure hi viz would have changed things that night but it made me realise however careful we are it only takes a split second and another time hi viz could be a factor in the outcome. Luckily nothing worse this time than stiches in my head and a slightly re arranged right ear along with impressive bruises.
The incident did not do me much good in the on going heated discussions about cycling helmet use with teenage son at the time.....I was told I should wear one for running! ( I don't)