Hi

I need (apparently) to buy a hi vis jacket/vest for cyclign in france. I am doing the london to paris bike ride with Macmillan next week.

Please recommend me the best option for this either in jacket or vet format?

I would just get a £2.50 jobbie from screwfix for just in case but prob not needed. You only need to wear it at night out of town or in bad visibility.

Get the one with the most open mesh fabric, they can be like wearing a binbag.

My vote would be not to bother. The only thing the french love more than draconian regulations is ignoring them.

French law is that, outside urban areas cyclists must wear a certified reflective gilet at night or in conditions of reduced visibility. ( here http://www.securite-routiere.gouv.fr/conseils-pour-une-route-plus-sure/conseils-pratiques/circuler-a-velo/circuler-a-velo-roulez-en-toute-securite )

“Ccertified” means conforming to EN 1150, so flappy builders vest are OK, but if you’re actually going to be wearing it for more than a few kms something like the Decathlon or Ekoi vests will be more comfortable

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/en1150-approved-vest-7-id_8154018.html
http://www.ekoi.fr/fr/gilets-securite/51-gilet-de-securite-jaune.html

Doesn’t have to be yellow btw – EN 1150 is just about reflectivity so pink, orange, green are OK too

Do a google shopping search for “sportful reflective bretelle”

I bought one of these for winter commuting. I’ve got a few jackets that work nicely for cold/warm/mild wet/dry, none of them bike specific, and they all happen to be black.

This goes on top whichever’s best that day without adding bulk, warmth, restrictivness.

That’s going to make following the teams in the TdF a bit of a challenge

thanks guys and especially timb34…I was lookign for somethign less bulky as will have to carry it in a rear jersey pcoket or even small camelbak (have not decided yet)

I got the Decathlon one a couple of years back, it’s a pretty decent gilet in its own right as well as ticking the legal box.