The reflective spray gives almost zero effect

The days are getting shorter. The darkness lasts for a long time in the morning and comes quickly in the evening.

Then it's time to dig out the reflectors from drawers and cabinets or take a walk in the store to buy new ones. But which reflexes should you choose?

NAF has directed the searchlight, or rather, the car headlights towards six reflective vests, various small reflexes, knitting products of reflective yarn, reflective umbrella and reflective spray.

The reflex products in the test cost from NOK 15 to 800 and most of them are sold in regular chain stores. NAF has even been around Oslo and bought the products.

Provides false security

The test shows that the non-traditional products consistently do poorly, and the big loser of the test must be said to be the reflex spray.

All products were tested with 50- and 100-meter dipped beams and high beams, and the reflective spray was not visible in any of the lightings.

Do not use a reflective spray to see. The use of such spray gives false security, says Stig Schibbye, owner of Reflexconsult AS, who is referred to as Norway's foremost reflex expert.

Reflex consultants have measured reflective spray against a standard reflective vest with a minimum visibility of 250 meters and found that the spray lit only 17 meters through the dark.

This means that the reflective spray gives a seven percent effect of the minimum requirement.

Reassessing reflex spray

It was Albedo Reflective Spray from Clas Ohlson that was tested by NAF. This is a colorless spray that should reflect light in the dark, according to the product review.

Camilla Tully, the communications advisor in Clas Ohlson, says that the reflex spray is a recognized product that is being sold in several places in Norway, but that the store chain is now more skeptical about the product.

"The Reflection Spray is a new product at Clas Ohlson and based on the tests from NAF, we will take an internal review of the product and product information," Tully told Dinside.

Three reflex standards

NAF's test panel is generally skeptical of "fashion products", that is, non-reflective vests, tags or ties.

The traditional reflex products must be CE marked, which does not have to be the fashion reflectors. Therefore, it is difficult for you to know if the reflex has any effect.

If the reflector you buy is CE marked, it must be marked on the packaging, which indicates that the reflex complies with the personal protective equipment directive.

Schibbye from Reflex Consult has represented Norway in European collaboration on the preparation of reflex standards for the past 15 years.

"There is one standard for small products, such as reflective bands, tags and the like, and two standards for reflective vests. The vests are distinguished between those who appear medium and those who are very visible," says Schibbye.

Reflective vests are measured by reflective strips and the proportion of fluorescent material in the fabric. The total will be a combination of these two factors.

The vest wins

All six reflective vests that NAF tested did well, both with different light and distance.

The XXL reflective vest came out best from the vest, the only thing that pulled down was that it was a little hard to get on.

Most reflective vests in the test are relatively cheap, but the LED vest from Apotek 1 stands out with a price of NOK 299. However, this does not have to mean that this vest is better than the others in the test.

NAF points out that the LED vest had poor reflectivity, including at 100-meter dipped beam. The vest had the only reflex in the seams and the LED lights that flash only have battery power.

If you are going out in the autumn darkness, a good reflective vest is a safe choice, as it has a large surface.

"It is important to note that the reflex effect becomes significantly worse after the vest has been washed a dozen times, so a worn reflective vest should be replaced with a new one," says Ann-Kathrin Årøen in Safe Traffic.

Location is important

Several of the reflex products NAF tested had a poor effect because they were placed incorrectly.

So-called snap bands seem best if they are fastened around the ankles, as they can easily be covered by a bag or similar when on the arms.

"Dangling reflexes have the best effect as they move as you walk. Slapwraps and sticker reflexes also work well," says Åroen.

Schibbye in Reflex Consult says that the further down the body the reflex is placed, the better.

Various products that were knitted with reflex yarn were also placed under the magnifying glass, both homemade and factory-produced.

The headband knitted with Viking yarn suffered badly in the test because it was placed too high on the body. NAF's test panel recommends knitting mittens or heart rate warmer with the yarn since the yarn itself had good reflectivity.

"The yarn has only a thin reflective strip that will have varying visibility according to how the product is knitted. Large parts of the reflex can end up not appearing," says Schibbye.

Morild changes design

The scarf with reflective threads from Morild is the most expensive product of the test but by far the best. Since it is only a reflex at the bottom of the scarf, you must constantly make sure it seems.

After the test, Morild Norway AS has changed the design of the scarf, but it is clear that the garment is not intended as a replacement for ordinary reflexes.

"We do not produce and sell security products, nor any sense of security, neither real nor false. What we do, on the other hand, is fashion clothing with a bonus effect," says Lisa.

Positive to umbrella

However, not all fashion products are slaughtered in the test.

The trading network from Tanum and the umbrella from Clas Ohlson gave NAF a positive surprise. The products have a large reflective surface, and they have a function besides being a reflex, which gives you more value for money.

"Because so many do not use ordinary reflectors, our buyers try to use reflective materials as a design element in more products than before," says Tully in Clas Ohlson.

She is clear that there is a difference between CE and EU approved reflectors and products with reflective parts, and that the latter is an addition to traditional reflectors.

Adults leave the reflex at home

Early in the autumn, it is often not so dark in the morning, and many leave the house without reflection and forget that it is dark in the afternoon when they return home.

Observational surveys we conducted show that adults are poor at using reflex, only four out of ten do, says Årøen in Safe Traffic.

In general, Norwegians are reluctant to use reflex. The worst is in Oslo, where only 27 percent use reflex.

Safe traffic recommends looking for reflectors from drawers and cabinets, most of them have plenty of reflections lying at home, and attaching them to clothes, bags, and bags so that they are always there.

Police will hand out hundreds of thousands of reflective tapes

The police will hand out 100,000 reflective tapes to pedestrians next week. It will help them avoid fine.

Pedestrians must wear reflective elements or clothing with reflective elements under reduced visibility. This obligation applies not only outside the commune but also in the commune if they follow the road or road edge.

"Otherwise, pedestrians are invisible and run the risk of colliding with a vehicle, or at best a penalty of up to € 30," said Denisa Balogh, a spokeswoman for the police presidium.

What are reflective and fluorescent materials

Reflective or retro-reflective materials are special materials that can reflect incident light up to a distance of 200 meters.

Reflective material can be seen at night three times longer than white clothing and more than ten times greater than blue clothing.

Fluorescent materials increase visibility in daylight and dusk but lose their function in the dark. The most common colors are bright yellow, green and orange.

Police call for thoughtfulness

During the nine months of this year, police dealt with 808 pedestrian-related accidents, in which 42 died.

A driver who does not see a person on the road in time cannot react quickly enough and avoid it safely.

"Many accidents could have been avoided if drivers or pedestrians adhered to the known traffic rules. Only if we all respect each other and respect each other considerably will our movement on the road or sidewalk be safe," the police spokeswoman warned.

Police will teach pedestrians, in addition to giving away reflective strips, about regulations that will help them to increase their safety on the road next week. They will attend kindergartens, primary and secondary schools. According to Balogh, they will not miss seniors.

Visibility can be enhanced by the appropriate color of clothing and accessories made of fluorescent and reflective materials to increase your light contrast to the background. This will increase the distance the driver can see you.

The combination of different, far-visible materials allows you to see you well in the light and the dark. Reflective vests, interlocking and elastic reflective strips, and multi-colored reflective stickers are available.

Use reflective elements on the side of the body that faces the road, not the side. Place them close to your knees, belt level, or shoulder (cyclists also wearing helmets and bikes). Reflective stickers can be attached to shoe soles, bicycles, skates, helmets, scooters, school bags, crutches or strollers.

Provide children with clothing as well as school bags and accessories equipped with reflective and fluorescent safety features.

Older people should also be made visible. According to the police, they often prefer to wear bold dark colors. "Their reactions on the road are often weakened by older age," Balogh pointed out, adding that the combination of dark clothing, inattention, and alcohol is particularly dangerous.

Exercise caution when walking at the edge of the road and when crossing the road, especially in unlit areas or where there is no footpath

Drivers should also be vigilant and attentive, especially in areas with increased pedestrian movement. Especially around schools, shopping centers, cemeteries and the like.

A colorful police car caught the eye in Kuopio

On the streets of Kuopio on Tuesday, one could see a brighter and more colorful police car. Kuopio police are testing a new car this week, which should be available to police throughout the country early next year.

Field manager Mikko Antikainen says that a model of European police cars has been sought for the car and the reflective materials on its sides and rear.

Yellow is used elsewhere in Europe, although we have more moderate reflective materials than, for example, England.

Reflective material seeks safety, for example in traffic accidents. Motorists can detect the emergency vehicle further away, for example on the highway.

Most of the year is dark and, especially on motorways and highways, not everyone is quite enough, although there are emergency vehicles on the roadside. Also, the new car has yellow LEDs in the rear windows that can indicate the direction in which the car is to pass the accident site, Antikainen describes.

The new car attracted a lot of attention

There is an extra hatch on the side of the new police car, which allows you to put equipment on the opposite side of the door, for example. In the rear, the side windows have been removed and space has been made easier to clean.

Antikainen says that the police car received positive feedback on the first day and garnered attention on the streets of Kuopio.

Yes, it has caught my eye, but at least no one has started to laugh, Antikainen throws.

The new police car circles Finland for test use. After Kuopio, it moves elsewhere to Northern Savonia and then to Oulu. Experiences are collected from all areas. Existing blue-and-white police cars are due to be replaced with new, more colorful ones early next year.

Bitter friction for cyclists

After the roadside policeman's story has become viral on the internet, we return with information on the obligations of cyclists circulating on public roads.

Thus, in the Road Code we have the following articles regarding bicyclists:

Art.70. - (2) In order to drive a bicycle on public roads, the driver must be at least 14 years old.

Bicycles and mopeds circulating on public roads must be equipped with lighting and reflective materials. It is forbidden to circulate them at night without these means and devices in operation.

Art. 74. - (1) The circulation of bicycles and mopeds, as well as of vehicles which, by construction or for other reasons, cannot exceed the speed of 50 km / h, is prohibited on motorways.

Contraventions and penalties (6 to 8 points of fine) for non-compliance with the rules on bicycle and moped circulation are sanctioned with the fine in the third class of sanctions.

In the Regulation for the Application of the Road Code we have somewhat more clearly defined the responsibilities of the cyclists:

Art. 14. - In circulation on public roads, the bicycle shall be:

(a) fitted with an effective braking device;

(b) fitted with a suitable, functional steering system;

c) equipped with a sound warning system; it is forbidden to equip and use the vehicle sound warning systems;

(d) equipped with white or yellow light in front, and in the rear with red light and at least one visible, reflective, the reflective device of the same color;

e) equipped with elements or devices which, in motion, form a continuous, fluorescent, reflective orange circle fixed to the spokes of the wheels.

Article 15. - The trailer attached to a bicycle shall be equipped with a red reflecting device at the rear and if the rear light of the bicycle is obstructed by the trailer, it shall also be equipped with a light red color.

Art. 100. - Vehicles must be driven only on the roads, carriageways, bands or tracks established for the category to which they belong. If there are no bands or tracks for mopeds, bikes and other non-motorized vehicles on public roads, they can also be driven in the direction of walking, if the traffic can be done without danger.

Article 141 (6) Tractors, trailers, mopeds, bikes, machines and self-propelled machinery used in construction, agricultural or forestry work shall not be allowed to stand on the carriageway during nighttime of vehicles with animal traction or those drawn or pushed by hand.

Article 142. - Voluntary stopping of vehicles is prohibited:

(k) on pedestrian, and/or bicycle paths, or on bands reserved for certain categories of vehicles, signposted as such;

o) on bike tracks;

Art. 160. - (1) Bicycles and mopeds, when traveling on the public road, must be run in only one row.

(3) If, in the direction of travel, there is a bicycle track marked as such, the drivers of the vehicles referred to in par. (1) are only required to run on this track. The traffic of other road users to the bicycle track is prohibited.

(4) It is recommended that the cyclist in the public road traffic wear the approved helmet.

Art. 161. - (1) Bicycle or moped drivers are prohibited:

a) to travel on marked road sections with the indicator "Bicycle access";

b) learn to drive bicycles or mopeds on high-traffic roads;

c) to walk on the sidewalks unless they are equipped with special tracks for them;

d) to move without holding at least one hand on the handlebars and both feet on the pedals;

e) run in parallel, except when attending organized sports competitions;

f) to circulate while under the influence of alcohol, narcotic products or drugs or medicinal products with similar effects;

(g) to hold on to a vehicle in running order or to be towed by another vehicle or pushed or pulled by a person in a vehicle;

h) to transport another person except for the child up to 7 years only if the vehicle is fitted with special support and when the vehicle is built and/or equipped specifically for the transport of other persons;

i) to travel on the roadside in the same direction of travel if there is a lateral path, a trail or a practicable marshmallow that can be used;

(j) to transport or to shoot any objects which, by their volume or weight, impede or endanger the driving of the vehicle or the movement of other road users;

k) to run on alleys in public parks or gardens, except when they do not interfere with pedestrian traffic;

l) to circulate at night or when the visibility is reduced, without fulfilling the conditions stipulated in art. 14 and 16;

m) to travel when the carriageway is covered with ice, ice or snow.

(n) to operate with technical failures on braking systems or on a vehicle which is not equipped with a buzzer;

o) to cross public roads on pedestrian crossings while traveling on a bicycle or moped;

(p) to run on lanes other than the one near the curb, except before the intersection must fit properly to make the left turn;

r) to move without wearing fluorescent - reflective clothing, from leaving the evening until dawn or when visibility is reduced;

s) drive the vehicle without keeping the wheels in contact with the ground.

Lighting for cyclists and e-scooters vital

Road traffic regulations also apply to electric scooters. A violation can be expensive.

The dark season means bad visibility conditions and increased accident risk for all road users. In November and December 2017, around 32 percent of traffic accidents involving personal injury occurred during the dark hours - the highest level during the year.

Cyclists, in particular, are required: damp foliage and wet, smooth tram rails increase the risk of falling, fog and twilight obscure the view. "Cyclists should definitely pay attention to functioning lighting and good visibility," says ÖAMTC lawyer Nikolaus Authried.

Equally, on duty, he sees the handlebars of e-scooters: For the battery-powered scooters, the same rules apply as for cyclists - because if they do not exceed a maximum output of 600 watts and a maximum speed of 25 km/h, they are considered e-bikes.

Check lighting regularly - "lack of light" costs up to 726 euros

According to the regulation, bicycles must have a white reflector in the front and a red reflector in the back. The reflectors must be mounted individually or integrated into the headlamp. Forward and rearward reflectors are a must on the pedals.

"Also mandatory is yellow or white cat's eyes or reflective tapes on the wheels," says the ÖAMTC lawyer. "Alternatively, tires with reflective borders are possible." For electric scooters, the lighting regulations also apply according to their design. The expert recommends: "The condition and optimal function of the lighting should be checked regularly."

"In principle, drivers of bicycles and e-bikes, including e-scooters, are not obliged to use headlamps or red taillights in daylight and good visibility - but in the case of obstruction and darkness," says lawyer Authried.

"Those who do not abide by the rules risk not only the safety of themselves and others but for badly equipped and unlit bicycles can be up to a penalty of 726 € imposed." If one causes an accident with personal injury due to poor or lacking lighting, compensation claims and a judicial criminal procedure must also be expected.

Helmet and reflectors are must-haves for handlebars

Rules for the equipment of the driver itself does not exist. "Although a helmet is not mandatory for adults in Austria, it protects against serious head injuries in the event of an accident and should be part of the basic equipment - even more so in the dark season," advises the ÖAMTC expert.

If a cyclist "crashes" under helmet conditions without a helmet and suffers skull injuries, he may even be guilty of contributory negligence.

To be even more visible, it is essential to attach reflective materials to clothing or wear a safety vest. "Every supplemental aid, be it through headlamps or LED lights, makes sense, but it should be noted that this does not dazzle oncoming traffic," says the expert.

Reflective stickers for clothing and safety vests, for example, can be found at all Mobility Club bases - there are plenty of other "little helpers" for more visibility, such as armband and leg straps and reflective pendants.

Hitchhiker's Guide to Europe: Traveling Safely

A risky way to go on a trip, however, and he has a lot of fans. A huge plus of hitchhiking is that even with limited finances you have the opportunity to visit almost any part of the world where there is a road.

In addition, it is a great way to meet new people and get impressions that you can hardly get on a train or, say, on a plane. We will tell you about the five mandatory rules that must be followed if you want the trip to be successful.

Take care of your appearance

A very important point, since it depends on him whether the trip will take place at all or not. It would seem that the rule is elementary, but some persistently ignore it. Think about the person with whom you will go, most likely, a fairly decent amount of time, and about your safety too.

If you are a lonely girl, don't wear anything unnecessarily tight and short when going on the road, you do not need to provoke the driver once again (in case it is a man). The ideal option is clean, loose clothing that will not hamper your movements and your driver as a whole.

An important point - if you are going to catch a car at night, take care to purchase reflective materials that need to be attached to clothing or wear a reflective vest.

Travel as a couple

If you are planning a trip in a foreign country, it is better to take a friend or a young person with you, as hitchhiking is always associated with risk, and the level of danger depends on the country.

Many people ignore this advice, as they believe that couples are not the best companions, however, according to statistics, drivers have more confidence in couples than in a lonely tourist.

It also happens that you stop the car, but the company is not very pleasant, in this case, ask where your new friends are going, but do not get into the car and just say that you are not on the way.

Plan your route

Despite the fact that you will not be driving, you need to know exactly which way and which roads you can drive to your destination. Experienced hitchhikers always plan their route.

Take a paper road map with you, as the navigator will not catch everywhere, and in some situations, you simply cannot do without a map.

Examine localities along your route; this should be done in case of an emergency.

Agree "ashore"

Even before getting into the car, discuss the conditions of the trip with the driver. The driver must understand that you are going to drive for free. And not going to pay in any way. Refer to the fact that you study at the institute, because there are difficulties with finances, and on the street, it bakes so much that you are unlikely to reach it yourself. Usually, drivers agree to give a ride on such conditions, if you are not an obvious tourist and he is really with you on the way.

This is quite an important point, which will avoid trouble at the end of the trip.

Do not be silent

Do not think that the main reason why you took the driver - sincere spiritual impulses. A person, especially on a long trip, needs at least to exchange a few words with someone. Would you be pleased to put a sullen person next to you, with whom you will spend more than one or even a couple of hours? Hardly. So be open to dialogue.

In the post offices of Kuzbass will sell flickers

Reflective elements for pedestrians will be available in October.

Kemerovo region joined the joint action of the traffic police and Russian Post. Now in all post offices of Kuzbass flickers will be on sale. Retro-reflective materials can be attached to clothing in the form of icons and bracelets, hang on the bags and backpacks in the form of key chains, as well as sew on clothing. The official website of the Russian Post notes that they will all be cheap - no more than 100 rubles.

The joint action of traffic police and postal service is aimed at protecting pedestrians. In the dark, many drivers do not notice people at crossings and near the tracks, and flickers are designed to solve this problem. The usual reflective tape, which is sold in many stores, is not in demand: many people do not want to spoil the type of clothing. Flickers, especially temporary ones, will get rid of inconveniences for both pedestrians and drivers, consider the organizers of the action.

The reflector can save your life. A story to caution

"If it had a reflective vest, it probably would not have happened to the tragedy," says the police after a fatal accident in the Lublin region. The 39-year-old was walking along the road when it was already dark. He did not have a mandatory reflection. Reporter of the program "Poland and the World" reached the driver who hit the man. This is a cautionary tale. On Saturday, on one of the roads in the Lublin province, near Łuków, there was a tragedy. The driver who wants to remain anonymous drove along the dark road, where there is no lantern. As the man confessed to the reporter, he is still in shock.

"So far my heart is still squeezing. To make this animal, but it is a human being, "the man was saying, crying. "There was a car coming from the opposite side, I changed the lights for a short time," the driver reported. "And at some point I noticed in front of the car from 10 meters, maybe six walking. Unfortunately, I did not miss it. I hooked him with the right side, "he said. The tragedy occurred outside built-up areas. According to the regulations, after dusk, every pedestrian going along such a stretch of road should have a reflective tape on him. The beleaguered Belarusian did not have it. "If he had flares or something, I would definitely notice him and there would be no tragedy," said the man. "They do not want to, because they are ashamed". After dark, outside of built-up areas, the reflections are obligatory for over three years, but the police still stop people who do not remember or do not want to remember. "These people cannot explain in a logical way. They say they did not buy that they forgot that they have, but they do not want to use it, "Asp explained. Marcin Józwik, the police spokesman. "They do not want to, because they are ashamed," he added. According to the police, there are fewer and fewer people from year to year, because more and more people are walking the road in the dark, wanting to lead by example. "I am the driver myself and often at the last minute, I can see someone who is dressed in dark colors and has no armband. That's why I think it's important to have one, "Marta told reporter TVN24.

The pedestrian, who does not have reflective materials, will notice the driver at a distance of about 40 meters at the earliest. Whoever has something reflecting on him can already be seen from 150 meters. However, experts sensitize reflex reflections not equal.  "90 percent of flares, bands that were tested on the Polish market, did not meet any standards, all these elements cannot protect us on the road," said Zofia Mia-Stromsjo, a security expert. "Unfortunately, I will have to live with this" The accident from Łuków is dealt with by the prosecutor's office. For the police, the matter is obvious. The pedestrian did not have obligatory reflections. "Unfortunately, I will have to live with it," the man confessed. The driver who hit the dead man told us about the accident as a warning, because he knows that this situation can happen to everyone. "I will try not to drive at night. And when I have to, it's slowly," he said.

Safe reflections

Only every tenth reflector meets the requirements - it results from the inspection of the Trade Inspection. Entrepreneurs and consumers do not distinguish them from gadgets that do not increase road safety. UOKiK, in cooperation with the Police, the Central Institute for Labor Protection and the Motor Transport Institute, has prepared special guides on safe reflections.

According to the statistics of the Prevention and Traffic Office of the General Police Headquarters, in 2014, 1,116 people lost their lives in cases involving pedestrians, and the most tragic was the effects of events in the undeveloped area, on unlit roads - every third person died. According to the regulations, all pedestrians moving along the road after dark outside the built-up area obliged to use reflective elements.

Conducted in the first quarter of this year the inspection of the Trade Inspection concerned the safety of reflectors available for sale throughout Poland. The reflectors tested for marking, reflective properties, resistance to falls and the effect of rain. Laboratory tests carried out by an accredited laboratory of the Motor Transport Institute.

The results of the inspection

The inspection revealed that entrepreneurs lacked basic knowledge about the requirements that refinements should meet (including the conformity assessment procedure appropriate for this product group). Offered reflective accessories also marked without due diligence.

UOKiK noted that the market dominated by gadgets that resemble glare, but should not be used by consumers as reflective accessories, because they do not meet the most important size requirements (minimum 15 cm2), reflective surface properties and resistance to maintain these properties, even in difficult weather conditions. Many of them sold with information suggesting that they are full-value reflective accessories, and wearing them increases the visibility of the user on the road.

IH inspectors checked 113 entrepreneurs (producers, importers, retailers, and large-surface stores.) Over 90% of 226 tested batches of products were questioned. Research in the ITS laboratory, which was subjected to 41 samples, showed that 41.5%. of them did not meet the photometric requirements - the light was not reflected sufficiently or the reflective surface was too small (according to the regulations, it should be at least 15 cm2). In 81 percent. the reservations were related to a user manual that was missing or incorrect. Other remarks referred to inadequate documentation and marking: a missing or incorrectly prepared EC type-examination certificate - 58%, EC declaration of conformity - 71% and CE marking - over 40 percent.

In the case of 156 products, the Provincial inspectors of the Trade Inspection enabled entrepreneurs to undertake voluntary corrective actions. They also issued 17 decisions temporarily forbidding access to reflections that did not meet the requirements and sent 13 notices of suspected offenses to law enforcement agencies. UOKiK has initiated 14 administrative proceedings so far to withdraw the disputed products from sale. In most cases, entrepreneurs have already taken voluntary corrective actions.

How to buy and use them correctly?

When buying a reflective vest, pay attention to whether the CE mark has been affixed to it, the name of the manufacturer and the type of the product and whether the instructions for use are included. The lack of these elements means that the product should not be used on the road - it is a gadget that only looks like a reflection.

The lower the reflector is located, the better the car's headlamps will illuminate it and the driver can see the pedestrian earlier. Therefore, the optimal height at which the user should wear a reflector is the height of the car headlight falling on it.

Make sure that the reflective materials worn are not covered with a scarf, bag or backpack.

When walking along the left side of the road (in the opposite direction to the movement of vehicles), it is best to wear reflections on the right hand or leg (from the direction of vehicle movement). When we move in the column, we should go the right side, then we should wear them on the left hand or leg (from the side of the vehicle movement).

In the case of elements permanently attached to clothing (especially sew on reflective tapes) periodically check that the reflective surface has not been wiped off, as a result of repeated washing or rubbing. If we notice that the reflective tape sewn on our clothing or backpack is worn, it should be replaced.

If the reflector is leaking and water gets into it (this applies to reflectors made of plastic and prismatic foils), replace it with a new one. The water inside the reflective surface causes the loss of reflective properties.

Bicycle outfit: we choose a T-shirt, pants and bike shoes

Bike outfit - why is it important?

Every lover of this sport should wear a bicycle outfit. A well-chosen sports outfit protects the body against harmful radiation or wind. Important in cycling clothing are reflective fabrics, thanks to which we are more visible to drivers, especially at night.

Suitable bicycle shoes should form part of the outfit. The choice of shoes will depend on the field of cycling. Shoes used for road cycling may differ in hardness from the shoes used by mountain bikers. Perfectly matched bike shoes should protect the foot and not cause painful abrasions or blisters on the feet.

Elements of bicycle outfit

The bicycle outfit consists of several elements. First of all, we should equip ourselves with several sports shirts, which we will put on ourselves during cold mornings. If the temperature during the day increases, we will be able to take them off gradually. A good idea is the use of reflective clothing that drains water vapor and sweat from the skin. Bicycle clothing should adhere to the body so as not to restrict movement, therefore it is not the best idea to choose a wide cotton sweatshirt.

Professional cyclists should wear a sweatshirt and a sports jacket, including a raincoat. When looking for pants for a bike, we will also find different types. From adjoining to thermally active or insulated. In summer, it is worth choosing short fitting shorts. If you travel a long distance on a bike, you should buy at least two pairs. Our feet should be protected not only by footwear but also longer bicycle socks, preferably from air-permeable material.

A protective helmet is sure to come in handy. When planning shopping, you should think about protecting yourself from the cold and stocking yourself with a neck scarf. Regardless of the season, bike gloves will be a good purchase - with stiffened but also flexible material.

Bicycle shoes

Bike shoes, like the outfit, should be skillfully chosen. Buying too big or too small shoes, in the hope that they will break up, is not a good idea. Bicycle shoes should fit, hold your foot and be comfortable. It is not worth saving on them.

Many cycling enthusiasts opt for SPD shoes, which are models adapted to be attached to SPD pedals (the mechanism connecting the shoe with the pedal), which in many cases can also be worn with classic pedals. Professional bicycle shoes have a hard sole that makes the ride easier, but it makes walking difficult, so if you only ride on a bike recreationally, and you want to use your shoes for other purposes, choose a sole with less hardness.

Trekking shoes with a thick, durable sole are good. The upper of the bike shoe should not be too high so as not to obstruct movements or cause abrasions. It is important that the material of the shoe is breathable, eg made of mesh in the front part of the shoe. Reflective materials on footwear will additionally affect our road safety.

Bike outfit - price

The price of a complete bicycle outfit may depend on the brand, material, and systems used in production. In the fall and winter season, we will dress warmer than in the spring and summer season, so we will pay more for the outfit. If we are just starting our adventure with a bike and we do not have a complete outfit, the whole thing can cost us even a thousand zlotys. However, it is not worth saving on individual items.

Elements of cycling outfit made of more durable material will be relatively more expensive, but they will also serve us longer. However, if we do not want to overpay, we can look for additives on stock exchanges or auctions.