What color do you wear when you go cycling?

[pagheca]

In the part of the world where I moved — Northern Italy — I’ve noticed that cyclists mostly wear black clothing. This makes them hard to see, especially in the evening, when there’s fog (very common around here) or when riding on narrow, winding roads. I usually wear light-yellow jerseys and jackets, preferably with reflective strips, because I’m very afraid of having an accident and I use the bicycle almost every day.

What about you? What color do you mostly wear when you go cycling?

And why?

• Elegance?
• Trying to look skinner?
• Nothing you like is available in other colors in your store?
• Personal preference?

Please write in the comment - thanks!

 

[MeatBike]

An orange jacket and either gray or black trousers, purely because I like them. If I'm riding after dark or in poor visibility then I'll fit lights.

 

[Stihldog]

I’m not camouflaged, but I suppose my favourite green jacket is the same colour as the foliage. Black or gray shorts.
…and I don’t sing to myself. (Very often)

 

[Zed. (Justin is short)]

I usually end up covered in mud so starting and finishing colours differ

most of my riding waterproof gear is black (Nukeproof dirtsuit, Madison dungarees etc.) but as example of some of my other kit I have Endura mt500 jacket in burgandy and Loose riders trousers in desert camo - not a great colour combo

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Since I predominately ride in the woods... my kit is selected on what I think looks good.

 

[RustyMTB]

Pal of mine wears a silver reflective jacket. Behind him on night rides, I can't see a damn thing.

 

[OffitThatM8]

I tend to wear darker colours, blacks greens browns etc, I'm only ever riding in daylight.

I also noticed a pattern in England atleast between lots of neon/high vis and mobile phones mounted to handlebars, massive badly fitted mudguards, reflectors, handlebar mirrors and kickstands amongst the older generation so I like to distance myself from that

 

[irie]

Mostly Endura blue and black stuff. Have two sets of every fink so that if get soaked/covered in mud next day have clean dry stuff while being dried/washed. Buy summer stuff mid winter and winter stuff mid summer, or when I see (overstock?) silly prices.

Not concerned about being seen because on road going to/from the fun stuff have front and rear SMIDSY lights. Don't go out after dark.

 

[Kepa]

As a safety feature, I dress up like a circus. I don’t understand people basically camouflaging themselves when going on an mtb ride. And roadies wearing only black and no lights, that’s a death wish.

 

[Bndit]

Black trousers because they are practical on works well with any colour jacket/jersey. I never wear high viz clothes, ever. Not on bicycle or motorbike.

 

[steve_sordy]

I used to wear as much black as possible, even once changed the decals on my bike to matt black on satin black (I call it the "stealth" look). That was probably why I hardly ever rode on tarmac! But then I saw a group photo of the riders that I had just guided and they were all so colourfull compared to me, that I looked boring! I decided there and then to change my look (not a lot, just a little). The result was the Fox Ranger long-sleeved jersey that you can see in my signature pic to the left. My wife bought me some matching gloves! Very fetching!

I also have a nice bluey-grey Nukeproof long sleeve that I keep for the winter. That Fox jersey faded to a mucky looking brown, so I have just replaced it with a fluorescent red long sleeve. I'm waiting for the warmer weather before I wear it. You will certainly see me coming.

 

[pagheca]

This article (that is actually referencing another paper published on an Eslevier journal) actually calls into question the effectiveness of wearing brightly colored clothing, while highlighting instead the benefits of having reflective elements on the pedals (which is also a legal requirement in some countries).

IMHO it should be taken with a grain of salt, as the sample size used is very small. Personally, even when in doubt, I prefer to err on the side of safety.

 

[Gila Man]

I wear light color, long sleeve UV-rated shirts while riding. Light blue, orange and lime green are my current shirt colors. The UV index is often in the 10-11 range during summer and dark clothes don't reflect the heat as well as light colors. Skin cancer is also a concern so any exposed skin gets minimum SPF50 sunscreen. I don't ride on the roads in my locale, vehicle speed limits are too high in my area to be jousting with several thousand pounds of steel while riding a bike. I ride the sidewalks because they're always empty.

 

[pagheca]

Today I was running in the countryside near my house. It was daylight and the weather was good. Still, out of the 16–17 cyclists I encountered, only two were wearing light-colored shirts, one had a black-and-white outfit, and all the others were dressed in black or dark blue.

 

[irie]

Today I was running in the countryside near my house. It was daylight and the weather was good. Still, out of the 16–17 cyclists I encountered, only two were wearing light-colored shirts, one had a black-and-white outfit, and all the others were dressed in black or dark blue.

If you are in daylight in the open countryside where motorised vehicles such as cars are not permitted, what is the problem?

 

[pagheca]

If you are in daylight in the open countryside where motorised vehicles such as cars are not permitted, what is the problem?

my bad: I meant on a road in the countryside (not in town).

 

[Powerslider]

The sun is crazy intense here in the Arizona desert so I’ll always wear white or near-white jerseys unless it’s cool or a night ride.

 

[steve_sordy]

The sun is crazy intense here in the Arizona desert so I’ll always wear white or near-white jerseys unless it’s cool or a night ride.

There was a time when if we wore white in the UK at this time of year, we'd get run over by a snowplough!

 

[Type1]

Rarely ride on the road, so visibility isn't a concern.

 

[skizzian]

Black on my mountain bike - I only have 10mtrs on the road to get to the trails!
On the road commuting etc. I have front and rear lights on all the time and wear a Fluoro yellow / Reflective Jacket

Endura Urban Luminite EN1150​

 

[16Rally]

Any color so long as it's not black or charcoal grey.
Generally, I'm biased towards staying cooler under the sun and enhancing visibility.

 

[Montana St Alum]

I wear ultra thin white quarter zip long sleeve turtlenecks. I'm in Utah, sunny and hot during most of biking season. White is super visible all season. Orange and yellow blend in in the fall when leaves change color and they are amazingly cool while protecting from sunburn.

 

[Natch]

I'm usually in black, gray, khaki, or some other neutral colors. I'm not worried about visibility most of the time since I don't ride on the road and I'm entirely within the forest. However, during hunting season I'll add some bright orange. I'm not worried about

 

[HappyCamperIan]

@VWsurfbum can't believe you haven't contributed

 

[VWsurfbum]

@VWsurfbum can't believe you haven't contributed

Sorry, was on holiday

The way I see it, we do a fun sport, let's have fun with it! Be bright, be yourself and be seen!

 

[Ratcliff1893]

The main thing on the road is to have decent lights. Clearly marks you as a cyclist. Clothing certainly can help but there’s a reason lights are compulsory on the road at night. Day time clothing helps

 

[Stihldog]

Sorry, was on holiday

The way I see it, we do a fun sport, let's have fun with it! Be bright, be yourself and be seen!
View attachment 178187

Well, I’m inspired! I’m not going to boycott the colour black (only Lycra) but I think it’s time to brighten things up a bit.

I sometimes ride with a bloke who uses a pink helmet. We don’t talk about his choice of colour but anyone on this mountain can identify him…anytime, anywhere.