This is a shameless attempt to save the the most advanced civilization in
history from imminent self destruction by eliminating carbon emission,
dependence on foreign sources of fuel,obesity, hypertension and diabetes.
Cycling accomplishes all those things at once and helps us develop a better
understanding of ourselves, each other and our relationship to the cosmos.

Oh, horse puckey!
I like to ride bikes, have been doing it all my life.
The rest of that crap is just a fringe benefit,
and the blogosphere gives me a chance to share my interior
monologue with virtual rather than imaginary friends.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Bicycle Safety Gloves

As you know from my post the other day, I have been searching for a new pair of gloves.  My criteria is simple, I want a decent pair of regular cycling gloves which are colorful and visible in traffic.  I would especially like to find a pair that has a backing made of hi-vis fabric with reflective trim or patches so they are very noticeble to drivers when I signal turns. It seems to everybody I talk to that this is one of those classic "no brainers," but it has just never happened.
I've spent the past week looking at all the LBS in the area and found nothing but one pair of Pearl Izumi winter gloves which are made in hi-vis yellow with reflective trim, but none with half fingers for summer riding.  I finally decided on these by Giro
they are a nice looking bright backing with noticable contrast.  The question for the manufacturers is why don't they off a hi-vis color option in their line and it seems to me that the white trim should be reflective in all cases.  I realize that the spandex fashionistas wouldn't like them and they would probably cost more, but those of us who aspire to be more than hood ornaments would probably flock to the brand.
I decided I had to do it myself, so I tried.  I found these reflective stickers
which claim to adhere to cloth, metal and plastic.  I took a selection of dots and one stripe and fit them on the left hand glove.
As you can see this creates a very noticeable pattern of reflective color compared to the plain glove.  I didn't want to trust the adhesive alone so I turned the glove inside out, and applied heat with a hot iron.

It looked like it might work.  The seemed solidly attached and I took them out to run errands around town for a couple of hours.   When I came back from my initial trip
I had two dots left.  The others had come loose fallen off putting the glove on or off, and reaching into my pockets.  That doesn't work. I'll save the stickers for something else.
I guess the manufacturers just don't care about the safety of their customers.

2 comments:

  1. Hey Marc,

    I've been reading your blog for a few months, and really like most of the various points you make and persepectives you share. Still, often times I come away feeling your approach is a little bit pessimistic and negative. Please consider this nothing but an honest and hopefully helpful insight. Your knowledge and passion for biking are great. I'd like to simply suggest you work to be more positive in your posts. Sometimes you are, but it seems more often you're not.
    Sincerely,
    Marcus

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yeah I think we tend to get more cynical and less patient as we a... ah mature. Point well taken.

    Marc

    ReplyDelete