Be Seen, Be Safe: Staying Visible as Days Shorten

As autumn arrives and daylight wanes, the school run becomes more challenging. Whether walking, cycling, or scooting, visibility — your ability to be seen — becomes vital. High-visibility clothing and reflective accessories aren’t just recommended, they’re essential.

Why Visibility Matters

• A Danish study found that cyclists wearing hi-vis jackets experienced a 47% reduction in injury-causing collisions, and a 55% reduction in crashes involving vehicles
• Research shows pedestrians wearing retroreflective strips or vests were detected 60–80% further away than those without
• In low-light conditions, fluorescent and retroreflective materials improve visibility significantly, ensuring they stand out in darkness, twilight, and poor weather  

Layers Can Hide You

Bright clothing doesn’t always stay visible. A backpack can obscure reflective material from behind — undercutting your visibility. To stay seen:

• Use reflective straps or bands over your backpack, shoulders, and chest.
• Choose clothing with reflective stripes on the arms and legs, ensuring movement is visible to drivers  

Tips for All Road Users

Walkers:

• Wear high-visibility vests or jackets at dusk or in poor light.
• Use reflective accessories on both front and back.
• Even on pavements, be seen — not just concealed in the shadows.

Cyclists:

• Choose fluorescent jackets and retroreflective bands around ankles, wrists, and torso.
• Ensure your lights are front (white) and rear (red) — especially when visibility drops.

E-scooter Riders:

• Combine reflective clothing with helmet-mounted lights for maximum visibility.
• Avoid clothing that can be easily covered or obstructed by bags.

Be Seen by Vehicles and Sensors

Some modern cars’ safety systems (like Automatic Emergency Braking) may struggle to detect reflective clothing in low light . Don’t rely solely on sensors — wear visible gear and make eye contact where possible.