You can buy reflective fabric tape at MEC specifically designed to put on your clothes and gear.
I cut out strips of tape for my running shorts, tank top, and jacket, and they've lasted at least a year or two of washes. Highly recommend for increasing safety at a low price.
Edit: no longer sold by MEC, but this is what I used: https://www.amazon.ca/Gear-Aid-Tenacious-Reflective-Fabric/dp/B00URO2XY0
I've had some issues with my track ir hat clip lately. Mostly due to the camera placement being different than it used to. As the angle of the reflector changes the camera seems to go haywire. I thought I would try making something that worked better.
While looking on Amazon I found this reflective safety tape $6 for 20" ( https://www.amazon.com/Gear-Aid-Tenacious-Reflective-Running/dp/B00URO2XY0/ ) I also picked up a handful of wooden spheres at a hobby shop to wrap with the tape. I was very pleased with the results. There were no dropouts as the sphere always had the same reflective surface area towards the camera.
I was at a local hardware store and grabbed some of the smallest pvc pipe and a bunch of different connectors to mock something up. Mind you I wasn't going for the prettiest thing, just a first test and it turned out better than I expected.
Yeah, wear them enough and you might get there unless you live in a place like Japan where split toes are common. Here's the link for the same one I bought if you ever feel like doing the same 👍🏼
I've found that lights, like saddles, tend to be a very personal decision. People tend to be very picky on their lights, and it's kind of odd to me.
I'd say buy him some reflective tape from 3M or GearAid. It's not something that he would buy for himself, and it doesn't replace lights, bit it makes a world of difference for visibility. It goes on shoes, frames, helmets, wheels, etc real well. Just don't put it on cloth.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00URO2XY0?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I also second the bike computer idea.
I buy reflective tape and add it to my pants legs, sleeves, etc as I find it necessary. I run mainly on separate, lit pedestrian paths, but on occasion do run near traffic. I like the tape because you can cut it to fit where you want it to go and it's cheaper than reflective clothing. It holds up okay in the wash and is easy to remove if it starts to come off the fabric
I'm just getting into cycling, and I've had this bike about a month--made a few mods to get it feeling just right for me.
Mods:
Removed wheel reflectors, seat reflector, and handlebar reflector
Cut off dork disk
Removed trek badge from front (will replace with reflective tape)
RaceFace CPhester Pedals from World Wide Cyclery (free shipping and saved 20% w/RIDEFOR20 coupon). https://www.worldwidecyclery.com/products/race-face-chester-composite-platform-pedal-9-16-blue
SDG Bel-Air Saddle, steel (free shipping and saved 20% w/RIDEFOR20 coupon). The factory seat was pitched me forward. It had an odd shape. I could never sit up and write with no hands. The SDG is 1000x better, and I paid less than $30 for it. lus, the colors match. https://www.worldwidecyclery.com/products/sdg-bel-air-saddle-steel-rails-black-synthetic-top-and-sides-cyan-stitching-and-logos-black-rails
Grips. The trek grips were rock hard and felt cheap. I've used the Specialized Contour before and they feel awesome, plus they lock in place. I recommend going with the XL size unless you have tiny hands. https://www.als.com/Specialized-Contour-XL-Locking-Bike-Grips/spclzd-grip_bg_contour_xl_locking/Product
Fyxation bar plug ends in black anodized - as far as I could tell the black anodized (not painted) is new and currently only sold Fyxation.com They look much better and I put my contact info inside the handlbars in a rolled ziploc bag tied to one of the bar ends--in case I ever have to prove the bike is mine (tip from Seth's Bike Hacks on YouTube)
RaceFace Evolve XC stem - on closeout at BlueSky cycling. I'm running it inverted, so -6 degrees instead of the +10 degrees I was at before. I had to get a 5mm spacer for the top cap to clear the tube correctly. I also dropped the stem height using the spacers, and it now has a 20mm of spacers above the stem and 15mm below. I was surprised at how much weight this stem saved. https://blueskycycling.com/products/race-face-evolve-xc-stem
Greenfield kickstand from Amazon
Cheap Giant front light but works well-enough for me. https://blueskycycling.com/products/giant-numen-commuter-led-headlight
Bell Meteor 350 lights - flashing tail light, and I keep the front light pointed down, just in front of my wheel. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Bell-Sports-Meteor-350-LED-Light-Set-Black/49706831
Purchased but not yet applied -- reflective tape https://www.amazon.com/Gear-Aid-Tenacious-Fabric-Repair/dp/B00URO2XY0
https://www.amazon.com/Gear-Aid-Tenacious-Reflective-Running/dp/B00URO2XY0
it's great, great stuff
recommend using painters tape as a ruler to line things up and to plan things out
I'll leave this here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00URO2XY0/
If you're OK with Amazon, this stuff is amazing. It's tape that you can add to anything.
I got this and have been putting on everything. Even kids backpack. Gear Aid Tenacious Tape for Fabric Repair https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00URO2XY0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_zs7aAbHVZAJM9