Reflective vest for biking - $4 at Ikea

[Fodder]

I wasn't really sure where to post this, but I did a couple of searches and hadn't seen anyone else post this, and on a forum with a lot of cyclists, I thought this might be useful information.

I'm a complete chickenshit cyclist, as I live off a narrow rural highway.  That said, I'm only 2 km from the grocery store, so in an effort to be a bit more of a badass, I DO take the bike out (and I also sometimes bike the kids to swimming lessons at the local rec centre, and occasionally pick them up from school).  All within a 4-5 km radius.

But I REALLY despise the portion of my bike route that's on the narrow highway.

SO I light myself up like a Christmas tree, and I just wanted to share a relatively badass find from Ikea.

If you get yourself a (free) Family card, you can get a handy-dandy reflective vest for $3.99 (CAD).  You can also get free coffee.  There are children's sizes as well, and I can attest that these vests are beautifully bright and reflective.  I wear the vest anytime I'm towing the bike trailer, and if it's just me and my backpack, I wrap the vest around the backpack.  I've had it for about six months and would highly recommend it to any other chickenshit cyclists.  :)

http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/50200916/

What I love about it is that it's super compact too, and I can throw it on over whatever else I'm wearing, and stash it away in my purse afterward.

If there's a better place to put this post, I'm all ears.  :)

[sol]

Another option, for an extra dollar but doesn't involve visiting a big box:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0062ESUOQ/

[Will]

I checked to make sure this was available in the US (because you never know) and yes indeed, they do have it here, also for $3.99 (USD) for Ikea Family members, and only $4.99 (USD) if you aren't.  Interesting that it is $5.99 (CAD) if you aren't.

[Fodder]

Another option, for an extra dollar but doesn't involve visiting a big box:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0062ESUOQ/

Ikea is special though.  I can drop my kid off at Smaland (free!), and enjoy a (free!) coffee for 45 minutes.  They just redid the Ikea in my city though, so it's spacious and quite nice.

[Chranstronaut]

I live near a county airport and manufacturing plant and we almost always have reflective vests hit the local Goodwill shelves as employees turn over or they update the plant's safety equipment.  It's hard to beat $5 new and Swedish meatballs, though ;)

[dragoncar]

I'd probably get this instead:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60277514/

[FLBiker]

Family Dollar / Dollar General also have them (near me).  I think they're $4.

[Spudd]

I'd probably get this instead:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60277514/

Why not get both? :) You could attach the led string to the reflective vest for an ultra dorky yet ultra safe fashion statement.

[Beric01]

My problem with those vests is that they're far too warm, particularly for summer riding.

I went with this vest. Not so cheap, but far more adaptable based on weather conditions, and also highly visible (both day and night).



$20 extra isn't much if you're talking about a product that will not only last you years, but potentially save your life. Been using this vest for 2 weeks now and loving it.

[MoneyCat]

Just go on eBay and pick one up for a couple bucks from one of those sellers in China.  Then, you don't even have to pay sales tax.

[jamal utah]

I use 3m reflective tape on the rear triangle and seat post of my bike.  It also works great on your helmet.   

Here is a link: http://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotchlite-Reflective-Silver-36-Inch/dp/B000BQRIV2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416610630&sr=8-1&keywords=3m+reflective+tape

This stuff is 2 in wide but you can cut it into thinner strips to fit your needs.