genejockey 

Not me! I AM fat. I'm getting less so.

Kapusta

It is easy to find road cycling jerseys and windbreakers in high viz colors.

Unfortunately, I don’t like wearing road cycling jerseys or windbreakers.

The tops and jackets I prefer are usually crossovers from MTB, hiking, or running. I do find some hi viz running shirts (though few jackets) but almost everything for hiking and mountain biking are dark or drab. Granted I like wearing these colors, but not on a bike on the road..

Also, I would like some hi vis mtb stuff, because it is a good idea to wear it during hunting season.

Black shorts are fine for all the stated reasons.

genejockey 

I really don't like day-glo colors, but I do like to be seen, so I tend toward red or bright blue in jerseys. I find that white tends to get those orange/brown stains over time. Sunscreen? I have a white vest, too. I have a black jacket which I really like, but if I were in the market to replace it I'd probably go with red.

Bibs are black, for all the reasons stated above.

I also have a flashing red light on the back and a white one on the front.

urbanknight

This actually reminds me of my good ol' racing days. The first team I joined had mainly neon orange jerseys. You could pick your team members out of a peloton from 100 meters away. The next year, they chose "bullet silver" which was really a light gray. Couldn't find the team members anywhere. I imagine that also impacts how easily a driver can see them. Fashion is fashion, but I feel like my brightly colored jerseys serve a purpose.

genejockey 

In my case, part of that purpose is it prevents my phosphorescent white Anglo-Celtic pallor from blinding motorists and other cyclists....

Mojo31

The last time I went by a stray dog, I was wearing black shorts, a navy jersey, white socks, grey shoes, and a white helmet on a navy bike. The thing didn’t even look at me when I passed him about 5’ away. I guess I didn’t look tasty enough. I’m good with that.

Mojo31

I recently read that orange and pink are the most easily seen colors, even more so than highlighter yellow. The rational is that those two colors do not blend in with trees, buildings, etc. might be why orange is recommended for hunters

tornado60

Thanks everyone for the education.

I'm not in the middle of nowhere, but you can see it from here. There are not a ton of work out options where I live period. That may be part of it.

urbanknight

Makes me wonder if that means different colors are best for urban environments, or desert.

Rolla

My three favorite colors are black, grey, and dark blue, so that's what I usually wear -- I can achieve visibility through other means. TBH, I dislike jerseys of any color.

genejockey 

That's why I don't wear green or brown jerseys. I figure a big red or blue square is not something that blends into most natural settings.

Pearson100

I don't mind the black shorts but don't understand black or dark colored rain jackets!

Kapusta

I am a fan of blaze orange.

qwaalodge

On the contrary, I think an all-black kit, including the bike and helmet would actually make you "stand out" NOT in the safety sense but in terms of aesthetics.

You'll find all the new, very forgettable, junkfood-worthy, very popular but low brain cell movies is promoting the all-black get up. And even automotive industry is doing the same with their all-black line up of cars and SUVs looking mean and deadly.

Commuters who probably don't care much about image or vanity would often have bright items on them. High visibility. Great for motorists so they don't have to look at you directly to see you. In fact as a motorist myself, I only need to glance or notice high vis riders on my peripheral vision, no need to take a closer or 2nd look, giving me more opportunity to scan the rest of the road.

It's the more "serious", more obsessed type of riders who put on all-black wear including the helmet, gloves on an all-black bike trying to look like pros. I have often seen motorcycles ran into them in the daylight and they get extremely angry when it happens. No kidding, you're wearing all black and riding right beside rows of trees casting dark shadows and dark green leaves. At the perfect, sun angle, you'll be invisible!

Ogsarg

Oh Good Grief! Buy what you want and stop worrying about other people's choices. It's not like there is nothing but black clothing.

indyfabz

‘Sup, Cubbie? I commuted today in black tights and a Navy blue top.

rsbob 

Always wear black bibs or shorts for obviously sweaty reasons. Grew up in the age of bright multi-colored jerseys (think LeMond). Dark colors always seemed semi-suicidal, especially during the dark winter months and while riding in the shadows. I too wear a white helmet and have front and rear flashing lights, I do have some bright single colored jerseys but just can’t go day-glow except for a yellow-green vest I wear in the winter.

Read a research article on colors and cycling and it basically stated color made zero difference in visibility and accidents. What did make a difference was having a bright color on a visible moving part of your body, like legs or cycling shoes. Moving colors draw a drivers attention.

rsbob 

Oh and to answer the original question: It’s about fashion trends. Companies can’t keep selling clothes if they don’t keep changing things up.

veganbikes

I like my dark clothing I don't need bright flashy colors because at night I have lights on the bike and that is really what people are seeing. If people are seeing your clothing first you need better lighting.

Every time I wear light clothes they get stained usually with grease and I don't need that.

ofajen

Like bar tape, shorts should be black. But we are now getting warm weather and sun. Sun sleeves or long sleeves are needed and white is preferred for high albedo.

Otto

rsbob 

Don’t know where Otto lives since it is not stated under his image, but I can’t wait to get into short sleeves and sun tan lotion.

qwaalodge

Doesn't count as all black and your bike isn't all black either.

I was talking about wannabes with modern carbon bikes, all black, everything, rims, cassette, shirt, helmet..... I even saw some of them riding at night without lights.

Who's cubbie anyway, sounds like a terrifically nice guy

ofajen

Near the Katy Trail. I mostly ride short sleeves in summer but I switched from sun tan lotion to white sun sleeves, and I prefer that.

Otto

ZIPP2001

All my kits are bright, not a fan of dark colors this was my latest custom design.

seypat

This video has a lot to digest on the subject. Trikes, bright light, shadows, forefront, background, movement, function, fashion, branding, etc, etc. You can make your own decisions.