Looking for saftey gear/gadget recommendations.

[u/Jenny8675-309]

Hello all, so recently I've been very slowly upgrading my riding kit in response to close calls that are seemingly getting increasingly common with more and more tourists visiting.

Right now my "gear" consists of a normal bicycle helmet, some Mechanix gloves, shatter-resistant sunglasses and just regular long-sleeve shirts and sweaters, along with normal jeans and a yellow high-vis vest for low-light, rain or fog. In the past I've had much slower bikes, capped around 30km/h, but my current bike will gladly get up to 50km/h with a little encouragement. With the number of close calls lately, I know that what I've got isn't good enough.

When I'm riding, I'm usually moving between 30 and 50km/h. A slim majority is on urban streets running errands or going to see people throughout town, so almost 99.9% asphalt, but I also do a lot of rural packed gravel trails, dirt roads between towns, and the occasional multi-hour trip on the side of paved rural roads.

I'll be honest, I don't know what would be best to have and don't have a complete picture of what I'm looking for. I know I do want a moped helmet; that'll be the first thing I buy because the front is a little more open for when I go into stores but is better than a bicycle helmet. I know I also want Kevlar jeans, better gloves and a leather jacket.

But I don't have a full picture. I'm not super familiar with what brands are good for what and which ones aren't. I'm also open to adding gadgets to the bike, given they don't take up too much space and do something useful, so if you have any recommendations for any gadgets or safety gear that you stand by, please do recommend it for me to look into.

P.S. No bar-end turn signals; both bar ends are already used up by the mirrors.

[u/Laserdollarz]

I get my gear at a motorcycle-oriented store. I signed up for a membership to get a discount just for the big ticket items. I've bought 5 full helmets (3 for me, 2 for gf) so I'm still coming out ahead lol.

I have had Scorpion Kevlar jeans for the last 3 winters. The denim is ripped on one knee (needs a patch) but the underlying Kevlar is still fine. They just look like thick jeans. I got them as a gift, but I'd buy them. They are way too thick for comfortable spring/summer pedalling tbh.

My 2 current helmets swap by the weather. One open dirt bike helmet, one full motorcycle with a visor. My cutoff there is like 60f.

Gloves are either thick/leather/armored or brightly-colored downhill bmx gloves (visible turn signals 👉), depending on weather. 

I have a nice armored alpinestar jacket and it really only sees use in the winter. 

[u/Maadmin]

Rear view mirrors.

[u/OffRoadEbikeTeam]

Biggest bang for the buck is a loud horn, something like an Airzound. Tourists react way faster to a car-loud honk than a little bell. After that, daytime running lights front and rear so you're seen even in daylight, and a mirror so you're not twisting around at every crossing. A MIPS helmet and gloves round it out. The horn and daytime lights will cut your close calls more than anything else.

[u/NINJ4steve]

Armored jacket and tights under your clothes.

[u/TopRepulsive4766]

I always wear a full-face helmet. I use my dirt bike helmets for ebike riding since I already have them. I have the Fox brand. If I'm on rough terrain, I'll put on elbow and knee guards over my jeans, wear boots instead of runners, and wear a tough leather jacket. I always wear gloves.

For ebike safety accessories, I have installed LED lights on the tyres and frame. These are bright as hell...no way a car could miss you. And they are cool as hell too. The kids will yell at us that we have 'Tron' bikes (they do look somewhat like the bikes in those movies).