PSA: Are you a cheapskate that's into safety?

[Bill Lindsay]

FYI:  Ikea, to my surprise, now sells reflective vests with real, legit, 3M reflective stripes, for $4.  $3 in kids sizes.  That's pretty darn cheap.

[Surlyprof]

IKEA?...  probably delaminate if you get caught in the rain!

[Anton Tutter]

My kids have the $3 Ikea vests and they've held up really well!  For $3 they don't have zippers and rely on inadequate velcro patches as closures, which don't really work. But the kids just were them open.  The reflective portions are very effective!  The kids have had them for a couple of years now, still holding up well.

[Ron Mc]

Sufficient for daytime riding, as well as south Texas "winter", I like buying bright color tee shirts from Velo Retro for my top layer http://www.velo-retro.com/T-brands.html  

TA shirt in orange, Zeus shirt in yellow, Campy shirt in red.  Typically wear the cotton shirt over a merino base layer, the day (and especially humidity) dictating the thickness of the base layer.  Plus a stuffable windbreaker, which may start off the morning and be stuffed away as I warm up.  (another topic I guess, but also like knickers and knee socks with shorty socks spared).  

The Ikea vests are a great idea, and I'm happy to see more of them on the road.  Though the majority of riders who come from the city to the narrow suburban/rural-cusp roads where I live still ride in black and without blinkies.  

[Matthew J]

I don't understand why more cyclists don't use safety vests - either cheap ones like the Ikea or more pricey purpose made Nathans and the like.  

My Nathan has a loud neon green base that stands out in the day time and reflective stripes that really catch the light in the evening.  The material is light and packable enough there is no problem stuffing it into my bag or even a pocket when I reach my destination.  

Safety vests afford cyclists the luxury or wearing whatever color they prefer while still being conspicuous on the bike,

[Montclair BobbyB]

And do these vests have a snappy IKEA name like 'Reflekta' or 'Viz' ??   

BB

Message sent from my Kimsta chair

[Geir Bentzen]

Probably due to high production volumes. All drivers must have a reflective vest within reach inside the vehicle in the Nordic countries by law. Most hang it over the seat back. It has to be worn if the driver needs to step out along the road. Since these are countries with a tradition of detailed regulations, I assume the reflective qualities of the vests are regulated to a high standard.

[Anton Tutter]

I agree about why more cyclists don't wear reflective material, but I don't see the need for vests specifically.  Some may feel they're cumbersome or uncomfortable, or maybe they flap around.  I wear a reflective sash made with stretchy material that I barely feel when I'm wearing it, and it's also easy to pack.

Anton

[William deRosset]

Dear Matthew,

I have noticed joggers have taken up the neon vest in some numbers locally, and a few of the local commuters have as well. 

I look forward to the day when, in addition to "s/he was/wasn't wearing a helmet," we'll get to read "s/he was/wasn't wearing reflective anklebands and a safety vest conforming to ANSI standards" in our local newspaper's online edition.

The EU countries have road regulations requiring reflective gear be used by cyclists after dark outside of urban areas (conforming to EN1173 or higher), which have been in place since (around) 2010. The military requires motorcyclists (another group with serious SMIDSY problems on the road) to wear ANSI vests, and has for thirty years now.

I've not seen any data indicating that these requirements have changed crash rates. Has anyone seen a study?

We don't tend to wear safety gear for activities that we consider normal, ordinary and not "dangerous", regardless of the actual risks involved. "Danger" (perceived risk of an event) doesn't necessarily map well to risk (probability of an event).

Consequently, we get obese and tolerate distracted driving but we aren't embarrassed to hassle cyclists who aren't equipped with our personal standard for safety gear; this latter behavior extends well beyond the cycling community. 

Disclosure: I've been hit by a distracted teen driver in my non-chartreuse automobile while waiting at a stoplight. I was not wearing a reflective vest nor was I wearing a crash helmet at the time. 

Best Regards,

Will

William M. deRosset

Fort Collins, CO

[cbone97]

I bought one of these vests at IKEA over a year ago and keep it in my x-small saddlesack.  It is pretty well made and has acres of 3M reflective material on it.  I don't think delamination is a concern.  Worth the 4 bucks, easy.

[Lynne Fitz]

The Ikea vests are EN11-whatever certified, which means they meet CE standards for both visibility and reflectivity.

[Matthew J]

> I wear a reflective sash made with stretchy material that I barely feel when I'm wearing it, and it's also easy to pack.

My primary motivation for using a vest is I can take it off and go into work, the theater, businesses, etc., without my attire screaming I came by bike.  Your solution sounds rather viable as well.

[Jim Bronson]

En-1150?  Is there a link to their site for this item?

On Feb 11, 2015 3:06 PM, "Lynne Fitz" <fitz...@comcast.net> wrote:

The Ikea vests are EN11-whatever certified, which means they meet CE standards for both visibility and reflectivity.

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[Joe Hogg]

Mesh vests, ANSI 2, and 3 are light, airy, easily removed and stored. I see a few cyclists wearing them here in LA, but not many. There are too many stealth riders, night and day. I've been wearing ANSI 2 and 3 for years, not fashion, but certainly visible.

Joe Hogg
LA, CA

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[Lynne Fitz]

Ikea Patrull Vest

From the page:
Good to know
Complies with EN ISO 20471:2013 and ANSI/ISEA 107-2010.

I believe EN ISO 20471 exceeds/isbetterthan EN 1150, but don't take my word for it.

[Geir Bentzen]

FYI
About the IKEA safety vest;
EN 1150 means the vest complies with the European Union regulations (CE) for private use. EN 471 means it complies with the regulations for professional use.
The vest should not be cleaned more than 25 times before it is discarded, which is common for all makes and models.

Link to a page with pictures of safety vests in compliance:

https://www.google.com/search?q=godkjent+refleksvest&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=zh_dVN_gFPXCsASw1oDgDA&ved=0CCcQsAQ#imgdii=_&imgrc=rEy4lUXR_RitEM%253A%3BKh4cXbH9Rw_BsM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Freflectil.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2014%252F05%252Fcertifikat1.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Freflectil.com%252Fnb%252Fnorm-facts-quality%252Fpersonlig-verneutstyr-og-ce-merking%252F%3B250%3B350

Enjoy your rides!

Geir Bentzen

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[Matthew J]

I was so pumped on seeing Geir's post the Ikea meets EU standards (European trip in planning) I googled.

Among other things, I noticed there are people selling the same vest on eBay for well over what Ikea charges.  

One born every minute indeed.

[Jim Bronson]

My RUSA EN-1150 vest (made in France) states that it is good for 50 washings, not 25.

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[Dan A]

The only problem with the IKEA vests is they are a pain to assemble :)

Dan Abelson

[cyclotourist]

I'm sure PB Bikes is going to be selling them for $99, but with free shipping.

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Cheers,
David

Member, Supreme Council of Cyberspace

"it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal

[Surlyprof]

Usually there are people who you can hire to assemble your IKEA purchases.  Call 'em up and a team will show up at your house wielding little allen wrenches.  They'll have your vest together in no time!

John

[William deRosset]

Hi, All,

The relevant reflective/conspicuity vest standard for cycling is EN 1150, not EN 1173. I apparently have a random-number generator for a memory.

Best,

Will