Joggers advised to wear bright reflective clothing

If you go jogging or walking late evening or early morning you may want to take a look at this article: MSMS | MSMS Encourages a Safe Return for the ‘Weekend Warriors’. If it's true for joggers then cyclists should take heed as well. 


I quote 'In 2007 alone, 4,654 pedestrians died and 70,000 were injured in traffic accidents in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Evenings and mornings posed the greatest risk, due to the lack of visibility. Many of these deaths and injuries involved joggers and might have been prevented had the joggers made themselves more noticeable to drivers of motor vehicles.'


When I was a kid out cycling I used to think that it was up to road users to see me whether I had lights or not. High visibility clothing was just not heard of. That's all very well but the cyclist invariably comes off worst in a collision.  That's why I take responsibility for making sure motorists have the best chance of seeing me. I have observed that most motorists are very considerate of cyclists perhaps increasingly so these days. I also think that if a cyclist or jogger demonstrates to a motorist that they take their safety seriously by wearing hi vis and a helmet then motorists are more likely to take them seriously as well. However, I'm sure this depends on your location. In London I'm sure the whole experience may well be different.

Fluorescent Sports Shirt - Product Review

Well it's been warm for the last few days but has it been warm enough to cycle to work in a t-shirt? Time to test out our new T-shirt. 


It is certainly bright being fluorescent green (other colours are available : yellow, orange and pink) - it will make me visible during the day. There is no reflective material on it so is no aid to visibility after dark. They can be customised with a reflective print to aid night time visibility.


These shirts are lovely to wear. The material is very light and feels cool to touch. They are made from Neoteric textured fabric with inherent wickability for comfort (takes perspiration away from the body). My journey to work takes about 30 minutes and it felt comfortable for the whole journey.

These shirts can be customised with a custom print (minimum order 10) or you can choose one of our popular prints.  Normal retail price for 1 is £12 but bulk discounts are available and schools, local authorities and youth groups can apply for additional discounts.


Why not take a look at this product on our website?

Spring is in the Air!!

You can definitely tell that Spring and the good weather is on the way. My colleague has just arrived at work looking very bright in one of our new fluorescent sports shirt which he wore for cycling in to work. Feeling very inspired maybe I'll give it a go next week!!

This picture shows the high vis rucksack which works both as a great way of letting other road users know you are there, plus lots of room to carry everything.

Some great new products for the spring

I love the new products we've just introduced for the spring. There are some nice colourful incentives for kids. I particularly like our new rubber (erasure for our US customers) codenamed rainbow. We were going to call it a 'rainbow rubber' but knowing what our kids are like we'd have been given the third degree having blue and red next to each other!

If you want to promote active lifestyles then you've got to take a look at our new 'Be Bright Get Active' pens. Originally we wanted to do these in purple text on red but it just didn't show up very well.

Are you looking for new ways to get the road safety message across in the classroom? Then look no further than the delightfully illustrated book 'The Dangerous Road Game' by Hedley Griffin.

All these products and many more are available at www.brightkidz.co.uk and remember if you are a school, local authority or youth group then you can register online for discounts.

We've also added some great new adult clothing to our range. These fluorescent sports shirts are just what you need if you are out and about jogging or cycling. Or you might like one of our new fluorescent fleeces.

Social Vision Awards - Regional Winner!

We were over the moon to be chosen as the East Midlands winner of the Social Vision Awards. The aim of the awards is to find images which best capture the work of Social Enterprises.

All regional winners were entered into a national online vote, which was won by Fordhall Community Land Initiative. We would like to say a massive thanks to everyone who voted for us and our lovely picture of a Walking Bus has been made into "January" for the Social Enterprise calendar.

Avoid the nasty cold weather and order those last minute Christmas presents from the comfort of your home. We've got some great new products which would be ideal stocking fillers. This trendy new neon neck warmer is fab for keeping warm in those freezing temperatures. Equally why not try out the reflective tag which attaches easily to bags and ensures you are seen day and night. Don't forget if you spend over £10 on our website you will receive a sheet of shiny feet stickers for free!!

Lights Camera Action

Lights Camera Action

Gosh with the clocks changing this weekend saw a rush of promotional activity for us all at Brightkidz. This year the validity and wisdom of changing the clocks has been revisited - should we move our clocks forward an extra hour in-line with Europe. With the debate for double summer time becoming a political issue and discussed by all the major parties, we were able to offer our view on this emotive subject on various media, local radio and television no less!

We shall watch with interest as the bill for Daylight Saving makes its way through Parliament.

New Reflective Items

With misty damp mornings becoming the norm, why not check out our latest flashing reflector and reflective tag, great ways to ensure that your children are seen on the way to school.

The reflective tag comes in four fluorescent colours and affixes to your bag or baggage enabling you to easily locate your items. Whilst the flashing light reflector has a choice of permanent, fast or flashing settings. As it is reflective it will show up in car headlights even when not switched on. Even looks good in a disco!!

For more new products why not go to our website Brightkidz.co.uk.

International Walk to School Day

Did you know that tomorrow is International Walk to School Day where the intention is to get everyone across the world to Walk to School on this one day. Who knows you may enjoy it so much that you then want to carry on indefinitely.

The whole walk to school month is a great way of highlighting the benefits of getting youngsters walking to school. Its a great social time for the children, catching up with their friends on the way to school and it has also been shown to increase concentration through the extra exercise. From an ecological perspective it is a step to reducing the carbon footprint.

So come on, pull on a high viz waistcoat and join this great international day!

Re-use rather than recycling is greenest IT strategy - 10/08/2010 - Computer Weekly

Re-use rather than recycling is greenest IT strategy - 10/08/2010 - Computer Weekly

Interested to see this report. Another good reason for delaying purchasing a new pc.

Social Enterprise Mark

BrightKidz received the social enterprise mark at a ceremony in Leicester.

Lance Holland, Director of BrightKidz said

“We’re really pleased to be awarded the Social Enterprise Mark because it shows BrightKidz isn’t just about selling ‘high vis’ products – it recognises all the work we do to promote safe, active, sustainable travel to school”.

The organisations were presented with certificates by Lucy Findlay of the Social Enterprise Mark Company at the SEEM organised event which looked at the future role of social enterprise in delivering public services. The government’s vision for the ‘Big Society’ places social enterprise at the heart of the reform of public services

• The Social Enterprise Mark is supported by the Office of the Civil Society, the National Lottery through the BIG Lottery Fund and Capacity Builders. Visit www.socialenterprisemark.org.ukto find out more

To cycle or not to cycle!

Much has been made in the press this week regarding a couple who could face being reported to social services for allowing their children to cycle to school. The family who live in South London, currently allow their two children aged 5 and 8 to cycle less than a mile to school, but they have been referred to the school's headmaster who believes that the children should be accompanied both ways.

This item has definitely split public opinion as on one hand you have the debate that there is insufficient activity for children and that we need to get them out and about on their bikes and then the other side declaring that the parents are being irresponsible. I suppose it all comes down to personal choice and making sure that the children are safe. I wonder if they have heard of high viz!!

Great New Book to enjoy the School Run

Have you ever thought how you can encourage your children to walk or cycle to school, then this excellent new book written by Ann Kenrick is the answer. "Let me Out! How to enjoy the school run " was published in 2009 and has plenty of practical advice on how to set up your own scheme, where funding can be secured and lots of other helpful tips.

For more information check out our website Brightkidz.co.uk

Fun new teaching aids

We have now received some great new teaching aids to get the message of safety on the roads across to the children in a fun and interactive way.

Why not take a look at the large puppet of a Lollipop man which is a great teaching resource or a fun soft toy. This puppet can be used in conjunction with the Teaching mitt of "People who help us". All these new products are located on our website Brightkidz.co.uk.