BristolPost - Cyclists who wear hi-vis gear may increase injury risk

Almost certainly wearing hi viz isn't going to make you more likely to be knocked off. I was taken out by a car door. What I was wearing was irrelevant, the bloke didn't look at all, which I suspect is the case in the majority of incidents.

I think there's a set of riders who don't have cycling as part of their life and it's just how they get to where they need to be, which is fine and well done them. However I think they wear hi vis because "it's what you're supposed to do" which also includes riding hugging the kerb and not riding defensively.

With this I see a lack of proactive thought into where they're going to be if something goes wrong and I see a lot of "inexperienced" riders in hi vis putting themselves inside lorries and buses, just waiting to get hit or not knowing how to handle things when they start to go wrong.

I prefer decent lights (not blinding ones pointed at the eyeline) and eye-catching details like overshoes with reflective detail, white helmet, reflective backpack etc. I do have a hi vis jacket but it's for emergencies (when my others are in the wash).

I don't agree with all this "cyclists must look like a 1990's Dortmund kit and wear body armour" thing at all though. Drivers give you sod all respect most of the time anyway and I think mandating our clothing is just going to be another victim-blaming stick to beat us over the head with.

As for the Bristol Post - they don't need to explicitly bait cyclists in an article, even the most unrelated bit of "journalism" there has cycling mentioned in the comments by the usual loonies.

What amazes me is the Bristol Post publishing a story about cycling that doesn't say cyclists:

a) cause traffic jams

b) are the major cause of global warming

c) have killed and injured half the city's population this year

d) are genetically incapable of stopping for red lights

e) etc... 

Interesting you didn't quote the other study mentioned  in the article-

A larger study in Denmark of nearly 7,000 cyclists found they had 47 per cent fewer accidents causing injuries if a bright yellow jacket was worn.

In short it is inconclusive. 

Wear it if you wish but make sure you can be seen particularly at night.

People on here seem to forget that there is a major issue around people not having regular sight tests and driving - https://www.thesun.co.uk/motors/4907612/motorists-eye-sight-tests-warning/

So when some drivers claim they can't see you they really can't, and shouldn't be on the road.

Correlation does not mean causation.

The only thing that would surprise me from the Bristol Post would be a published article with correct spelling punctuation and grammar.