Bright safety vest-Do you or don't you?

[RoninApache]

When I would commute to San Diego, I would see a lot more riders on the 15, and quite a few were wearing bright orange or yellow saftey vests, particularly the Icon military spec ( which makes sense, considering the bases located down there). In LA and OC, I rarely see them. Is it just not cool enough for LA?

[Buellba Fett]

Perhaps more military installations in/around San Diego?... :confused:

[pAint]

I think you already answered your own question....

We are cooler up here too.

:cool:

[Rsimpson]

I bought one of those $12 velcro, throw over-the head vests and wear it everytime I ride home from work (405 between Long beach and Irvine)... I wear a backpack, so the icon vest wouldnt work too well. The vest I have goes over my backpack...sort of. Peace of mind I guess. It does light up pretty well when headlights hit it.

[steveb]

I go for the sight unseen method of riding, but if you were to be rolling down the freeway sans motorcycle, headlights would pick up the reflective material on your vest perhaps saving your life.

I'm near Edwards so I see vests all the time, I never saw them around the LAX area.

[T140]

In Ireland, many riders wore a bright yellow one that provides a lot of coverage from the sides as well as the front and back. They are available here, but less common. I wear it at night and on the freeway, but find that there is drag from the wind.

I plan on getting an ICON Milspec vest. It is snug and has a better look. However, I may add additional reflective tape because it does not have as much as my general purpose vest.

[Darth Lefty]

You can't throw a rock in SD without it landing on Navy property. That's why they're all in vests. I am in the same situation but seldom get hassled for my bright blue jacket which is technically not up to snuff.

[Buellba Fett]

Previous discussion...

here (http://www.socalsvriders.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=520&highlight=visibility)

[Twitch]

Yep. If you're in any branch of the military, you must wear one at all times (policy), but most do it only going to an from work.

[zipzit]

Ugh. We have to wear one at work every day... I work in a factory where pedestrians don't have right of way. The place is full of fork lifts and dunnage tugs providing parts to the line. Production comes first. All pedestrians must wear safety vest, must walk in painted aisles, etc...

Back of vest says "Watch me for safety" Nope, I'm not going to wear that thing on the bike. If it wasn't for the "watch me..." I'd at least think about it.

zip,
automotive engineer.

[racinteach]

I have the Icon vest and do wear it pretty much every day when wearing dark jackets.. My new cortech jacket has some brighter rings on it so don't wear teh ICOn as often...anymore, but will probably start up again..

[Darth Lefty]

My next warm jacket will be yellow, to obviate the issue. Already have yellow mesh.

[jeff762]

i wear an icon vest.

[SVranger]

I was thinking of getting a vest but I got a reflective belt. I picked it up 29 Palms MCAGCC. Saw joggers on base wearing them and I thought it increased their visibility pretty good. Next jacket I buy is going to have reflective piping.

[nefarious-az]

You probably see more people wearing one right outside camp pendalton because you cannot ride a motorcycle on a military installation w/o reflective gear on.

[NukleoN]

Military rules are one thing, but I took it upon myself just to load up on reflectives, otherwise I am all in black. At night tho, I glow like a flippin' XMAS tree. :D

[RoninApache]

I used to ride my mountain bike everywhere as my main mode of transportation, and I always had reflective stripes on the bike and helmet, and wore a vest, especially when I lived in the (then) undeveloped Murrieta\Temecula area. It gets awfully dark out there, especially on morning rides to the gym. I just carried this philosophy (and my vest ) over into my SV lifestyle.