Based on the sources, the use of retro-reflective materials placed in a biomotion configuration is a key strategy to improve the safety of vulnerable road users at night. Biomotion refers to the human brain's ability to perceive a moving human form from a limited set of visual cues, like lights on major moveable joints (ankles, knees, shoulders, waist, elbows, wrists).

When retro-reflective strips are positioned on these joints, vehicle headlights illuminate them, creating a pattern of moving lights that drivers easily recognize as a person. This enhances conspicuity, meaning the person "grabs" attention and is recognized as a hazard, unlike traditional reflective vests which increase visibility but might be mistaken for other objects.

Studies show significant safety advantages. Drivers recognized pedestrians with biomotion markers at distances 3.4 times greater than with a vest with the same amount of reflection. For cyclists, biomotion led to three times longer recognition distances than a vest. These benefits extend to road workers, even in cluttered environments. Biomotion marking also helps drivers perceive actions like walking direction at greater distances. The effectiveness of biomotion clothing is robust, even with factors like driver age, visual impairment, and headlight glare. This evidence influenced Australian/New Zealand standards for high visibility clothing.

Applying biomotion to recreational clothing for cyclists and runners faces challenges, as users often overestimate their own visibility. Focus groups identified key factors for user adoption: Design (appearance, practicality, preferred narrow strips), Function (comfort, convenience, integrated reflective strips), and Promotion (evidence of effectiveness, such as visibility distance statistics or demonstration videos). Ultimately, wearability and practicality are crucial for users to adopt biomotion clothing, alongside conspicuity benefits. Ongoing research aims to design and test prototypes based on this user feedback.