Reddit reviews 3M Scotchlite Silver Reflective Tape, 2 in x 36 in, 1 Roll

I'm torn between the duality of vanity and functionality. Most decent jackets have some reflective material on them unless they're total black out pieces of gear. I decided since I can't stand dayglo green or funky bright colors that I would mix a good portion of white in with my gear. I don't go pure white but if i have the option to buy a piece of gear that is black/white I go for it. For the pieces I couldn't get with white (like my current riding back pack) I bought 3M Scotchlite Tape and taped the hell out of it. I've also been hunting for a "Helmet Halo" which was a highly reflective fabric band you put around the bottom of your helmet (i don't like using adhesives on my helmets) but I believe it fell out of production.

Reflective tape is easily available if you can use that: https://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotchlite-Reflective-Silver-36-Inch/dp/B000BQRIV2

If you want to do something crafty with your daughter, you could try to cut some of this 3m reflective tape into interesting shapes: http://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotchlite-Reflective-Silver-36-Inch/dp/B000BQRIV2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452464185&sr=8-1&keywords=3m+reflective+tape. My experience with that tape is that it is very reflective, but you'll want to replace it after a couple years.

If you want something reflective on the spokes, these work pretty well: http://www.amazon.com/Lightweights-Power-Reflectors-Wheels-86-Piece/dp/B002KYFWQ6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1452464201&sr=8-4&keywords=reflective+bicycle+spoke

Also, Vespertine makes some reflective flower pins and such. My wife has one, so I can tell you they are definately very reflective, but they are kind of silly expensive: http://shop.vespertinenyc.com/category/jewelry. I'm not sure exactly where I can just get a sheet of whatever they are made of to make my own stuff.

It's very simple. Get something like this and then this for the smaller stripe.
You could do it without a clear coat but the clear coat will make it more resistant to pealing/chipping/more permanent. If you do decide to do a clear coat it's not coming off unless you sand the clear coat and your paint off.
Most helmets/bikes come like this from the factory with their vinyl stickers etc placed on and then just clear coated over.

Amazon: 3m 36" x 2" Red $5.46

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotchlite-Reflective-2-Inch-36-Inch/dp/B000BO71M0

Ebay: 120" x 2" alternating red/white DOT certified tape: $12
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-feet-dot-3m-reflective-tape-Each-piece-is-2in-wide-by-12in-long-6-red-and-6-/130906558757


I have some of the cheep 36" 3m tape (in white) and shining a light on it in a dark garage it definitely helps, has held up great though mud/rain.

The DOT certified tape is probably better (same stuff you see on semi-trailers). Looks like it has bigger hex reflector pattern.

Do you have a light-colored jacket you always wear? Rather than a safety vest, just grab some super reflective tape and put it on your jacket, bike, helmet, panniers, etc. Definitely worth investing in a bright, rechargeable light set as well.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000BQRIV2/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?pc_redir=T1
You could try that^ I bought some and plastered my helmet with it. Seems to stick well. There's a reviewer who says it has stayed on their messenger bag and everything else he's put it on.

Apply this to your bicycle liberally.

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotchlite-Reflective-Silver-36-Inch/dp/B000BQRIV2

> hard to find and buy in small quantities

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotchlite-Reflective-Silver-36-Inch/dp/B000BQRIV2 Amazon disagrees. There are plenty of color and size choices on there.

I used this for my stuff. But its thin, so itd be a pain for tracing a decal out.

There are 2 inch versions that would be easier to use. Finding the color you want might be hard. Example 1, Example 2

It looks like plain electrical tape until you shine a light on it when its dark.

You can get scotchlite tape to put on things, and there are many pieces of clothing (like a reflective vest) that incorporate it. Shirts, pants, shoes, etc.

Cost effective alternative:

http://www.amazon.com/3M-03456C-Scotchlite-Reflective-36-Inch/dp/B000BQRIV2/

Whats I use:

Headlight, very powerful and better than others I've used

Taillight, multiple flash settings, very visible

Reflective Tape, I cut out some 1 cm wide strips and placed it on my frame and spokes, add visual safety

If local laws permit, the 319 bridge over the river looks like a safer bet than the 153 due to its much wider shoulder. I didn't see any signs on the onramp prohibiting bikes on the highway, but check with the Department of Highways (or whatever its called in Tennessee) to be sure.

I suggest picking up front and rear lights ($25-30 should get you a basic set), and some sort of high visibility vest (like this or this). If you're riding after dark, some reflective tape on the bike would make you stand out in headlights.

Good luck, and stay safe.

Buy some reflective tape!

I wear a blinking red light at night on the back of my belt, just set it and forget it until you get home. Something I've thought about before is making a reflective tape belt:
https://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotchlite-Reflective-Silver-36-Inch/dp/B000BQRIV2

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotchlite-Reflective-Silver-36-Inch/dp/B000BQRIV2

I agree that the reflectors are a great idea. Here is some awesome reflective tape! you could put anywhere on your bike! The wheels or pedals are great spots because they are moving and will catch a drivers attention super fast. I agree that headlamps make for an excellent light! Wal-mart sells pretty good ones for $5. I recommend people in the market for one to get the small one that has ONE led and uses a small battery as opposed to multiple LED's and bigger batteries because that extra weight is very annoying on your forehead, but if it's a small one and light, it's very comfortable

Couple things to add for the shopping list: especially for the 3am part:

Safety Vest

Slap light for left ankle to identify your edge

Lights

About $25 for the above.

Rear mirror

Make sure the bike has the standard reflectors on the spokes, pedals, front and back as well.

Reflective tape if you are riding an all black or dark bike - wrap strips around your spokes, frame and seatpost

Some would say ALL THE ABOVE TOGETHER Is overkilling it and maybe it is all it takes is one semi-drunk who did a couple too many shots blasting down some rural road at 4am doing 90mph to end you.

Even just a glancing blow off the side of a big 4x4 mirror rig could fuck you up bad and NOW YOU'RE DOWN.

You're laying on the side (if you're lucky and didn't get hung up and dragged) of a rural road at 5am waiting for the next drunk to come along and finish the job.

This is a real concern.

Now if this happens and you are wearing dark clothes on a black bike with no reflectors they could end up hitting you before they ever see you especially when you add dark (limo) tinted windows + stereo blasting and subwoofers thumping.

Now add texting on the phone to the equation.

It's all over. You're roadkill.

You need to make yourself more than just a little visible. They need to see you from a fricken mile away. even if you are sprawled out in the street.

TIP: I use the slap light so they can see where the edge of me actually IS. I usually hang it on the left end of my handlebar - on my rearview mirror. Or on my left ankle so there is a light moving up and down along with pedal reflectors - that says 'dude on a bike up ahead'.

Here is some tape

Any vinyl shop should have a 24" to 60" wide roll on hand.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000BQRIV2/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?ref_=cm_cmu_pg__header

I also put it on my bicycle

You could also add some reflective tape to your helmet if you already have one. Won't be noticeable during the day like a high-vis color, but it really helps at night.

These are exactly what I have on my spokes, they work really well. I also took the extra hub stickers and put them on my helmet instead.

Also in auto parts stores or paint stores (interestingly) or the corresponding departments of a larger store, you can find reflective tape. So far I've found white and red. I also usually find it right next to an identically sized green tape, but that one's not reflective, so don't fall for it. It'll be about two inches wide and not that long, it's kind of expensive. like this (though what I found wasn't that expensive)

If you cut it half as wide you can put it down the smaller parts of your frame (such as the chain guide), on pedal cranks, strips on your helmet, on any chain/cog guards, and if you really have steady and accurate fingers, around your spokes just like the Light weights stickers. Use full-width strips to make rings on the fuller parts of your frame.

I even took a leftover bit of the reflective tape and put it on the vinyl tube of my hydration pack, which hangs from the right strap. When I tuck it up into the left strap, I have a perfectly symmetrical reflective line across my chest.

I suppose if you don't mind wasting a whole lot of tape, or using a bunch of odd leftover scraps, you could lay the tape over the divots in your helmet and use a razor blade to cut out exactly the elliptical shape that's concave relative to the convex overall shape of your helmet. That would be cool to see. I don't have the guts yet.

The tapes can often be more reflective than the cheapo reflectors that come with your bike, so it's also not at all a bad idea to cover those surfaces as well.

Finally there' s the biggest amount of coverage you could possibly get, cover your frame. Or less extreme but definitely beyond the norm, buy fenders and cover those.

It's the 3M Scotchlite tape. 2" wide. I think I found it at my local Fred Meyer or Walmart. I've been sitting on this stuff for some time.

Or you could just order it from Amazon