Have you ever cycled over Tower Bridge and wondered why HMS Belfast isn’t coated in an even hue of grey? The patchwork paint scheme wasn’t a result of WW1 austerity measures, but an intriguing type of camouflage called “dazzle paint”. This was a fascinating collaboration between the US and Royal Navy and artists saw ships repainted in vast cubist patterns. Most were monochrome, but some used colour. The idea wasn’t to make the vessel invisible, always difficult with a 50 foot high funnel pumping out coal smoke. The intention was to make the vessel difficult for the enemy to identify or to ascertain it’s direction.
So, brightly coloured, highly patterned things can be more difficult to process visually. At sea one of the easiest colours to spot is black – I have no academic studies to support this, it’s just my own observation. An interesting thought though when you consider the number of people whose cycling wardrobe contains Dayglo or Hi-Viz clothing to make themselves “easier to see”
Our cities already suffer from a visual overload with shops attempting to grab the attention of the fleeting consumers, road signs informing motorists of everything from and pedestrians respectively. Recent experiments have attempted to demonstrate just how visually chaotic the streets are
Hi Viz jackets are great if you’re working trackside for Network Rail or the motorways for the Highways Agency where you stand out against a palette of largely natural tones. But do they work for cyclists? I’m not so certain There’s something de-humanising about wearing Dayglo – you’re labelled as a “lycra lout” by the press, treated (sometimes subconsciously) with mild contempt by fellow road users. The same argument is used for discarding your helmet, but I haven’t the courage to do that just yet. So how do cyclists make themselves noticed? Better cycling would be one way – awareness, confident riding, observance of the rules of the road, eye contact with drivers, harmony with other road users. A Dayglo vest isn’t a force shield that entitles you to ride like an idiot.
My distrust of Dayglo does not extend to reflective tape which is an incredible invention, up there with the cat’s eye. Many of the country roads near my home are used by joggers and they are unmissable when picked out by car headlights. Insightful designers are starting to incorporate reflective yarns into the stitching and textiles making everyday clothes double as practical bike wear. I bet you’d look pretty cool if you hit the dancefloor too.
Our cities already suffer from a visual overload with shops attempting to grab the attention of the fleeting consumers, road signs informing motorists of everything from and pedestrians respectively. Recent experiments have attempted to demonstrate just how visually chaotic the streets are
Hi Viz jackets are great if you’re working trackside for Network Rail or the motorways for the Highways Agency where you stand out against a palette of largely natural tones. But do they work for cyclists? I’m not so certain There’s something de-humanising about wearing Dayglo – you’re labelled as a “lycra lout” by the press, treated (sometimes subconsciously) with mild contempt by fellow road users. The same argument is used for discarding your helmet, but I haven’t the courage to do that just yet. So how do cyclists make themselves noticed? Better cycling would be one way – awareness, confident riding, observance of the rules of the road, eye contact with drivers, harmony with other road users. A Dayglo vest isn’t a force shield that entitles you to ride like an idiot.
My distrust of Dayglo does not extend to reflective tape which is an incredible invention, up there with the cat’s eye. Many of the country roads near my home are used by joggers and they are unmissable when picked out by car headlights. Insightful designers are starting to incorporate reflective yarns into the stitching and textiles making everyday clothes double as practical bike wear. I bet you’d look pretty cool if you hit the dancefloor too.
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