Do you in NZ have to wear full gear?

[marigami]

i mean do you have to wear and be fullprotected with helmet, propoer jacket, gloves and proper shoes (if no real boots) or you'll be fine if caught by the police?
Because here in France the only thing mandatory is the helmet, for the other stuff there are recommandations only (even when you are training for your licence).
Too many times i have seen "motards du dimanche", I mean bikers who rides only when the sun is shinning and they are on holydays or whenever they can find the courage to ride...Sorry for thatSo i say I saw too often riders with only helmets on but with no jacket at all (not even jeans jacket)but long sleeves or short sleeves tee shirt or sweater or whatever in fabric, shorts and even flip flop, very handy to ride !!
And no gloves of course, it's too hot !
And pillions (I mean not all of course) very often women wearing nice fancy shoes or even high heels (when it is not skirts, yes I saw this, in Paris actually, but i am pretty sure it happened somewhere else).
I mean that is very good to attract people, men actually but it is very dangerous for several reasons, the first is in case one fall, nothing will protect one from the crash.
So do you have mandatory gear her in NZ to actually ride your bike?
I think it would be good although sometimes one likes to have a bit of freedom as a biker...
But security is the most important.

[motorbyclist]

Here in NZ we are only required to wear a helmet.

We do have a lot of weekend riders but they often wear full gear, and most riders overall have gloves and jacket simply because it can get too cold otherwise!

Scooter riders, however, are often wearing the bare minimum as you say and are of grave concern to most motorcyclists who see them.

[mstriumph]

same in Australia

- only the helmet is a legal requirement ... all the rest is a matter of choice [and common sense]

[YellowDog]

It's a bit like being a smoker!

Not wearing full gear is starting to be frowned upon and you get shamed into doing the ATGATT thing!

[Mrs Busa Pete]

How much would acc safe if it was mandatory to have full protective gear for all and more inportantly for scooters. I crinded when i see a kid riding along on a scooter with his helmet shorts, t shirt, and jandles. And what really pisses me off are the parents that let them do it.

[crazyhorse]

Only the idiots wear shorts and tee-shirt here, and normally come off second best in a fall.

Helmet is requirement, but the protective stuff is what you wear when you care about your safety. We have special jeans with kevlar in them, but I prefer my leathers.

You will have fun riding on our roads

[James Deuce]

I love riding scooters in shorts, T-Shirt and open face helmet. It speaks of freedom to me much better than an insectoid carapace wrapped around a contorted and hunched body pretending to enjoy a sportsbike's demonically unnatural riding position.

[Laxi]

I love riding scooters in shorts, T-Shirt and open face helmet. It speaks of freedom to me much better than an insectoid carapace wrapped around a contorted and hunched body pretending to enjoy a sportsbike's demonically unnatural riding position.

good fun when all the "carnage" starts aye james?

[James Deuce]

What carnage? I spent my teenage years falling off push bikes at scooter speeds. Still here. Still right.

[CookMySock]

NZ roads are quite a special case. The stone chip is very coarse and sharp and will remove body parts if you come in contact with it, so while only a helmet is required by law, full safety gear must be worn for other reasons.

Also there is too much road to keep it all in very good condition, so riders must expect some obstacle on the road at every corner and be ready to act. Often there is no time to react and there is a crash, and this is just the way NZ roads are. They are good fun, but dangerous. C'est la vie.

Steve

[James Deuce]

What do you mean "must"?

No it mustn't!

[Crisis management]

I'm with you Jim, keep up the fight for individual freedom..... to show solidarity I will ride the trail bike round the section nude (as soon as it stops raining).



Body armour and fire hose required for the pitchforks & burning faggots?

[James Deuce]

You leave the flaming out of this!

[Swoop]

the ATGATT thing...

For our french visitor, this stands for: All The Gear All The Time.

[CookMySock]

What do you mean "must"? No it mustn't!

I just read your earlier post, and I agree with you. I have done the tee shirt and shorts on the open road thing in the middle of summer, and what a spectacular way to cool off.

But you and I both know that its not workable in the longer term. While it's a cool idea, it IS an impossible dream.

Steve