[Zegwin]

Ok, so with all these topics of people getting hit and hurt I have decided to try something out. I think I am going to take my helmet and paint it with retro-reflective paint. I think I have found a supplier that can provide the beads and I am going to see how well the stock paint reflects since I am getting some to touch up my gas tank. Heck... if things go well I might see what I can do to my bike to make it more visible. Now I know there is tape and stuff, but I like paint better... So call me crazy and call me posting in the wrong section but hey! you only live once and why not make it so you can go to court and say 'there is no way in he** that they did not see me.'



It will take me a bit of time to get things set up but I hope all goes well!

 

[Zegwin]

Well first off water based paint is the only thing touching my helmet. It seems to have the least risk of damaging the helmet. Second... In researching reflective and retro-reflective markings, I have found an interesting study done by the NFPA regarding reflective chevrons on the back of emergency vehicles. that if the chevrons face down, it can cause drives to drive into the apparatus where chevrons facing up will "push" drivers away. So... the last thing I want to do is turn myself into a target.



This will take more research before I continue.



(ill try to find the study again if anyone is interested... I forgot to save it)

 

[Zegwin]

Had em over here for years

And we still think you guys look funny over there. We are now joining the club with the striping.

 

[Zegwin]

So far all I can find is the NFPA standard that requires the chevron striping. I'll ask my fire chief if he knows where I can find the report regarding the chevron striping on Thursday. This is really annoying me that I can't find it again.



(the NFPA standard is 1901)







"REFLECTIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE



15.9.3.2 At least 50 percent of the rear-facing vertical surfaces, visible from the rear of the apparatus, excluding any pump panel areas not covered by a door, shall be equipped with retroreflective striping in a chevron pattern sloping downward and away from the centerline of the vehicle at an angle of 45 degrees.



15.9.3.2.1 Each stripe in the chevron shall be a single color alternating between red and yellow.



15.9.3.2.2 Each stripe shall be 6 in. (150 mm) in width.



15.9.3.3 All retroreflective materials required by 15.9.3.1 and 15.9.3.2 shall conform to the requirements of ASTM D 4956, Standard Specification for Retroreflective Sheeting for Traffic Control, Section 6.1.1 for Type I Sheeting.



15.9.3.3.1 All retroreflective materials used to satisfy the requirements of 15.9.3.1 that are colors not listed in ASTM D 4956, Section 6.1.1, shall have a minimum coefficient of retroreflection of 10 with observation angle of 0.2 degrees and entrance angle of −4 degrees.



15.9.3.3.3 Any printed or processed retroreflective film construction used to meet the requirements of 15.9.3.1 and 15.9.3.2 shall conform to the standards required of an integral colored film as specified in ASTM D 4956, Section 6.1.1."







Here's the requirement but it does not mention the car crashes obviously. Ill keep hunting though!