Hi-Viz: The Mantle of Health & Safety I

One thing I noticed early on in my time here was the popularity of wearing florescent yellow when cycling, doing construction work, or possibly even, knitting a sweater. It's just everywhere.

Why being swathed in what is locally known as, "hi-viz" is a source of such comfort to the locals, I'm not really sure. What I do know is that back on my home planet, my cycling jacket was black, and that the only thing to get me to consider wearing a bright yellow jacket was an REI super clearance sale.



In an effort to try to explain the sheer volume of it worn around London, I've attempted to document any and all Hi-Viz sightings throughout a given day. Unfortunately, there's often just too much.
The other day, I saw an entire class of schoolchildren walk by, each one wearing a reflective vest. Unfortunately, my blackberry was a bit slow, and I only got the tail end of the reflective entourage.


Thus, I've decided to give this another go, only this time, I plan to document all the discernable (to yours truly, at least) reasons why Londoners choose to don their Hi-Viz

So, I left my house, and between here and work (640am departure) with a stop at physiotherapy near the train I managed to snap a pic of:

1. A bit of hi-viz on this scooter driver ---

2. This gentleman wearing hi-viz collecting litter ---

3. Riding a motorcycle ---











4. Delivering Newspapers ---

5. Potentially Repairing Scooters---











6. Cleaning up the train at Edgeware Road
(see the reflective stripes)---


7. Fixing the sidewalk ---

8. Riding a folding bike ---













9. Having a chat ---

10. Eating
(So blurry. I'll redo this one next week.)










...and that's all before work starts. More to follow in part II!