To bike safely, hi-viz gear is not an option | Letter
Maine Cyclists Urged to Wear High‑Visibility Gear After Press Herald Photos Prompt Letter to Editor
Brunswick, Aug. 24 – A letter to the editor in the August 20 edition of the Press Herald sparked a conversation about bicycle safety in Maine. The writer, Jan Munroe of Brunswick, criticized the paper’s selection of photos for a safety article that focused on the use of lights and high‑visibility (hi‑viz) clothing. He urged cyclists to wear reflective vests or jackets, noting that the same regulations apply to hunters and highway construction workers.
Munroe’s letter appeared on pages B1, B2 and B4 of the Press Herald and referenced a photo on the front of the B1 page showing two cyclists on a bridge over Scarborough Marsh. “One is wearing a hi‑viz vest and the other isn’t,” he wrote. He suggested that a driver with sunglasses would “barely see” the bright areas of the vest in the shadow of the bike, especially on a sunny day. “Think about it,” he added.
The photo itself was taken August 2023 and captured sunrise over Scarborough Marsh from a bridge along the Eastern Trail. The image, credited to Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer, does not show much visible clothing on the two riders. Munroe pointed out that many of the riders in the Press Herald article had little or no visible hi‑viz gear, despite the fact that such clothing is inexpensive today.
“Use lights and wear high‑visibility clothing” was identified as Safety Tip No. 2 in the Press Herald story. Munroe argued that the article’s photos gave the impression that the tip was a mere suggestion rather than a critical safety measure. He wrote: “We have rules about this for hunters and highway construction workers, and the stakes are just as high for cyclists.”
Munroe’s letter also mentioned that he frequently drives between Portland and Brunswick on back roads popular with cyclists, and he has seen few riders wearing hi‑viz jackets or vests. “Some are wearing brightly colored helmets or blinking lights,” he said, but noted that “these very small bright areas barely show.” He said the same holds true for city cyclists.
The Press Herald’s safety article was aimed at encouraging all motorists and cyclists to increase visibility at night and in low‑light conditions. Munroe’s criticism underscores a broader debate about how media coverage can influence safety habits. He concluded his letter with a plea: “Please, please consider wearing a full coverage reflective, hi‑viz vest or jacket.”
While the Press Herald did not respond to the letter, the comment has already begun to circulate on social media and within cycling groups across the state. Local cycling advocates say that visible clothing, lights, and reflective tape are proven ways to reduce accidents, especially on rural roads where visibility is limited.
For those who ride in Maine’s back‑country roads or city streets, the letter serves as a reminder that a bright vest or jacket can be the difference between being seen and being overlooked. The safety of cyclists, Munroe notes, “just as high” as that of those who work on highways or hunt on state property.
This article is based on a letter to the editor published in the August 20 edition of the Press Herald and on related public statements by the author, Jan Munroe of Brunswick.
