Going out Dressed For War!

The other day I was going past Old Trafford and saw someone that make me do a double take. I was waiting at the White City lights and another cyclist was crossing in front of me and I just tracked him with my eyes (sorry no photo, this is my download.) He was riding a red Brompton whilst wearing some black pants, a big Hi Viz jacket with reflective butt flap and a full face mountain bike helmet. It was about 6pm, warm and sunny. Maybe it was the helmet that topped it off, but I was waiting there in a ‘normal’ helmet and short sleeved jersey and bibs. I thought ‘Jeez, what is he dressed up like that for?’

I know there have been long and contentious debates about the value of any one of these elements and I don’t mean to start another, but I thought the whole ensemble was symptomatic of a defensive attitude. This guy wasn’t dressing for the weather he was dressing for War on the roads. Now maybe he would say that I am just a wannabee pro poring scorn on some canny commuter, but I am concerned that people now have the attitude that they can’t take to the roads without a whole bunch of safety kit. Cycling is becoming denormalized. The last thing I want, is to have to wear a full length fluro winter jacket in +20C temperatures because it expected as part of a potential liability case; no jacket, feel free to crash into me.

Sorry I am probably preaching to the choir as another bunch of roadies, but I would like to talk to this guy and find out what thought process made him buy each one of these items, and how does he think it makes him safer, or anyone else. Particularly on the jacket issue I think herd immunity and normalizing clothing for riding is more important, don’t train drivers to just watch out for the yellow. [Or maybe I just think Hi Viz looks stupid and will say anything to justify not wearing it; please feel free to trash my opinion.]