Which gear should you wear to improve visibility at night?

• A. No special gear.
• B. Brightly colored non-reflective clothing.
• C. Retro-reflective gear.
• D. Only a helmet.

Answer: (C)

Visibility at night hinges on materials that actively reflect light back to its source. Retro-reflective gear uses special materials that bounce headlights back toward the driver, so you stand out even when you’re not in the direct beam. This reflective effect works from multiple angles, helping drivers notice you from the sides and from coming traffic. Bright colors that don’t reflect light won’t consistently catch a driver’s eye in darkness, so they’re not as reliable for night visibility. A helmet improves protection but doesn’t boost conspicuity by itself, and wearing nothing special offers no additional visibility. So retro-reflective gear provides the strongest night-time visibility boost.