Red or Yellow (not neon yellow). Which is more visible on the road?

[eddiefromohio]

Between red and yellow (not the neon yellow) which is more visible on the road?  I am thinking it terms of a jacket on a person and for panniers on a bike.

[CyclesafeSr]

For me, red seems much more visible than yellow when riding in a forested area.  Yellow seems to blend in more. 

From the rear, what you are wearing on your back and whether you have a safety triangle is IMO more important than your pannier colors.  But everything helps, of course.

Shocking pink is probably the best color in that it will be diffferent than anything out there, thus might best register in the minds of hypnotized motorists as they come up behind you.  Flourescent orange and neon green-yellow are good too.  Reflectors are very good after it gets dark, but you should try to be off the road well before then.  Binkies are a good idea as well as a reflexive defensive propensity to bale onto the gravel when trucks approach - especially when they approch similtaneously from the front and rear.

[John Nelson]

Yellow is going to be more visible in low-light conditions.

[knolltop]

Shocking pink is probably the best color in that it will be diffferent than anything out there, ....

:thumbsup:

[Westinghouse]

Thet bright florescent red with the reflective strips shows up from a long way. Get a good one that goes to the waist that is really bright.

[Pat Lamb]

Depends where and when.  Fluorescent green is about the shade of new tree leaves (just a week or two ago here).  Yellow is brighter in dim weather, like fog, overcast, or rain, but it matches some trees in the autumn.  I haven't honestly seen a red jacket or jersey that looks like it'd be highly visible in those conditions, and even so, I'd expect they'd match some maples in fall.

All that as background, I chose yellow for my jacket.

[johnsondasw]

Why do you eliminate the shock yellow option?  I think it's way more visible than any red I've seen.  I use it for jerseys and coats when riding.

[Tandem4Rider]

Are red and yellow the only options?

johnsondasw asks a great question: why eliminate shock yellow?  As a commuter I find my shocking yellow jacket best for the road conditions, and have a jersey to match for when it is warmer.  I'd say there must be a study supporting its visibility since highway crews use that color.  The only time I don't wear it is when I have my stoker on the tandem - my wife.  All that bright color in her face, she says, drives her whacky.  To keep our marriage happy I wear something else.

Some have mentioned vegetation and forest conditions, etc...  Depending upon the time of year you are riding blaze orange is the best color to wear.  It is a non-natural color, which is why it is used by hunters.  When I'm in the stand and I see blaze orange I do not to even look in that direction any longer.  While I've never seen a cyclist or hiker while hunting (too far into the woods), others I know have.  Keep in mind some states only require hunters not to hunt across a road, near one is another variable.  I see plenty of stands not too distant from my commuting route.  Sorry - I know this exceeds the initial inquiry, but felt it worth mentioning.

[eddiefromohio]

Red and yellow are my only two options for Ortlieb panniers.  These are the brightest colored bags Ortlieb makes.  I want to get the one that will provide more visibility on the road.  Also, many waterproof jackets that are not made specifically for cycling but more for backpacking/general outdoors come in red and yellow as their brightest colors.  I am looking to get a waterproof jacket for hiking that I can also use on the bike.

[John Nelson]

I chose yellow Ortlieb panniers for visibility. Note however that the areas of the panniers that face forward and reverse are black with a reflector patch, so I'm not sure the yellow does you all that much good. Another reason I choose yellow was that if somebody stole one, I could ask around if anybody saw somebody carrying off a big yellow bag--that would make more of an impression.

[csykes]

In my observations both in the car and on the bike, yellow stands out more.  I look like a clown in yellow, so I wear my club jersey and vest which are red black and yellow with white letters.

[paddleboy17]

I think you are splitting hairs here.  Just wear bright clothes.  I have a fine collection of yellow, red, and orange jerseys.  My light weight rain jacket is yellow, and my serious rain jacket is red.  I think Scotch is the maker of that silver reflective material that is used as an accent on lots of things.  The reflective stuff is truly amazing, and will make you highly visible in dim light, as long as you can pick up stray light from a street light or head light.  Lastly, consider mounting a blinking tail light on your helmet. 

Now go ride your bike!

[hem]

I think you are splitting hairs here. 

+1 as near as I can ascertain there are a number of different bright colors used by road crews and emergency responders and generally all include reflective strips. I'm guessing the latter helps for those that are color blind and for different light conditions. I understand the chartreuse is in the middle of the visual spectrum and that is why it is widely used. It is also the color of my Performance jerseys. I think it would be hard for a driver to say he did not see me.

[peterharris]

Even though Ortleib panniers are waterproof, if it really worries you about having the most visibility possible why not find screaming yellow raincovers for your panniers? I know it's redundant but if you want that much visibility - you'll get it.

[RussSeaton]

http://www.ok-1safety.com/indiv-Product.aspx?catid=1&styleid=7

For visibilty of the rider, this is about the best product you can buy.  OK-1 mesh surveyor's vest.  Fluorescent yellow with reflective stripes.