You should then check out Rivendell bicycles.
Check out the detailing and color on this beauty.
When I got a new bike, I painted it. Why? Because a brightly colored bike is easier to spot among the 500 other bikes at the trainstation. Although that may be an uniquely Dutch problem 
Secondly, because a customized bike is much, much harder to resell and so not nearly as attractive to steal.
When I had painted a basecolor (clearblue), I took a clear plastic binder and copied a nice design on it. I chose a cat’s paw print. I cut out the design and so I had a stencilplate/template. Quite easy to fit the template anywhere on your bike and cover it with cute “paw-prints”.
You mean like Mario Cipollini’sSpecialized equipped 2002 Acqua & Sapone team?
I know a guy who put away his bike lock after he did a “theftproof” paint job. He painted the entire bike (spokes, handlebars, tires, and all) a garish color.
You definately need one of these.
I *like * reflectors. I have them on my bike. And a bell.
But then, I also liked Aliens 4, which would be the definition of geekiness. However, being female, I have more leeway.
Hmmm… silver might be nice after all, maybe with some detailing. And that bugle horn of Shirley’s looks great…
Don’t worry, monica et. al, I’ve invested in reflectors and helmets aplenty, I promise I’ll be very very safe.
bells better than bugle horns!
Bells, horns… use whatever you like. Nobody will hear either, much less pay attention. 'Cept maybe slow moving bikers out for a Sunday coast.
Your choice is either a pressurized air horn (marine supply store) or a good sharp ref whistle at the ready. Both particularly good if you’re a road warrior or bicycle courier. On a bike trail, you’ll just be considered :wally .
Who cares if anyone *hears * me?
Thrrring ring! Thrrrring ring!
Quickie, baby, I’ve been known to ring my bell even when no one is around, much to the consternation of my SO.
I’d go with bright yellow and purple polka dots. But that would be stealing the style of Captain Outrageous in Key West.
If you really want to be heard, a bell is not enough. You need an Air Zound air horn. Don’t use it on pedestrians though, it’s way too loud for that.
I just figured, given you were all up in arms about reflectors and helmets and floatations devices, etc… 
I’m not a big fan of these - they are better than reflectors (and often I think they have reflective backing so you get the best of both worlds), and they get the attention of other road users by flashing. Also, because it’s flashing, you know it’s a bike, and not a car going at the same speed as you in your car.
HOWEVER, on their own, it’s hard to judge the distance of the bike. If it really is black, and the only thing you can see is the little LEDs, I find it hard to see how far away they are, or how fast they’re moving. It’s because you only see something while they’re on… for half a second… then you see nothing… then it pops back… it’s a bit like strobe.
In the UK it’s illegal to cycle after dark without front and rear lights - non-flashing lights, that is. These mean that distance can be judged. I think the flashing ones are good in conjunction with normal ones because they grab your attention. Strictly speaking, over here, it’s illegal to have flashing lights on your bike, although you are allowed to have one on your clothing while you cycle. I have no idea who pulled that one out their arse.
Of course, doesn’t mean everyone actually obeys the law - it’s shocking how few people do. I think it’s also against the law to cycle without a helmet - although I might be getting confused. Again, a lot of people ignore this.
While I definitely think everyone should wear a helmet, the other things I’m flexible on. Get reflectors or flashy things, bells or whistles, just get something! I just happen to like bells better.
Hmm…flotation device…I *do * live right near the Hudson River.
I have flashing LEDs on my “errand bike”.
There’s no half-second delay or anything. They probably flash 5-6 times per second, without going fully dark in between. I think they’re more eye-catching than a solid light which could be mistaken for a red-light, or green-light in the distance.
They don’t light my way, but that’s not what I’m worried about in the city. I just want cars to notice me.
I don’t see how a flashing light makes it any harder to judge distance than a solid light anyway. Or at least, not one flashing at a high frequency.
I think you should use invisible paint, like Wile E. Coyote. That would be cool.
You’re right - with a high frequency they’re ok to judge by, and in a city where there are streetlamps they’re fine. I think this is because they grab a driver’s attention, but once they know you’re there, they can see you in the streetlamps.
I live out in a village, and it’s pitch black on the country roads - the only thing you can see is the lights on the bike.
Anyway, I’ve gone completely off topic. Similar to fessie’s suggestion, how about tartan?
I knew I liked your style.
I vote for white or gunmetal gray. If I had a bike, I’d paint it purple, but that is because I am a strictly daytime rider with a passion for purple.