but Your Honor (she cries w/tears) I never even saw him!!!

[flyingzonker]

[GeorgeSK]

The line of bikes and bikers at around 1:20 is pretty convincing. My Hi-viz helmet has faded dramatically in four seasons - I may think about getting a new one even though it seems fine impact-wise.

[Mel46]

Even though they do not suggest it, maybe you can get some Hi-viz tape and put it on your helmet, since it is faded. I would not throw out a good helmet just because it faded. Wear a Hi-viz jacket as well, or if your present jacket is not Hi-viz get a Hi-viz vest to go over the jacket.

[iceman]

A few dollars for a hi viz vest or a glow in the dark one (normal hi-viz but charges under any light source for glow in total darkness upto 6 hours)
http://tinyurl.com/z86rw2u

[flyingzonker]

To be safe on two wheels your greatest asset is common sense, no? Riding around wearing all-black conforms to a youthful urge to look super cool and impress the ladies. Whether it does actually impress them is moot. My feeling is they are going to be more impressed if you show up in a Corvette, no matter what your outfit's color scheme, than if you ride in on a motorcycle or (God forbid!) on a scooter in a get-up worthy of Johnny Cash.

What is not moot is: All-black leaves a poorer visual impression than (on an ascending scale) red, white or hi-viz yellow.

Bottom line: You're safer if you're seen. The only case I can think of that might contradict this axiom would be one in which some psychopath is out hunting motorcyclists with intent to run them down. No doubt there are such out there, but they are thankfully the extreme exception.

I would be happy to dress like Bozo if I thought it would increase my chances of riding safer--but hi-viz yellow is pretty good too, and has this advantage over the clown suit: Punks won't be tempted to roll down their windows and make a grab for the bright orange wig you've got glued on the sides of your helmet.