ATGATT. Why? It doesn't affect anyone else?

[Hitcher]

These guys drive me insane and give us all a bad name.

Omigod. Now you've done it.

[Edbear]

but thats youngatarts whole point................it does affect others...............the people that administer first aid or even kids witnessing the carnage can be affected
and the Govt has removed personal choice for us regarding seat belts in cars............and helmets on bikes.........i think not wearing the rest of the gear should be enforced too is all

I see your point and unfortunately it will take legislation before some do what is only commonsense. Law or no law, I wouldn't drive without a seatbelt nor ride without ATTGAT. But the truth of what you say has been shown in the US where states have repealed the helmwt law, only to see a dramatic rise in motorcyle deaths and serious head injuries which directly impact on the bereaved and subsequent lifetime carers in the case of the head-injured.

[Maha]

Great Post Janet, luck has it that he lives to see another day....
I dont wish ill on anyone but if this bloke was to spend a few months in a hospital bed then 12 months rehab then maybe, just maybe, he might think twice about his super human powers next time he gets on a bike.

[Jonno.]

awww man......thats a crap way to spend a Saturday arvo youngatart.........my sympathies..........should be user pays i reckon.........if you dont wear the gear.....you pay for the care..............
why should our Tax dollars go to repair some muppet

Why should tax money go to someone riding a motorcycle instead of driving a car

Freedom

[rustic101]

Legislation will do nothing!!! Education is more appropriate and has a longer lasting effect that any ticket or slap on the PP with a wet bus ticket.

Every Serviceman on their roulette to Singapore was taken down to the morgue, and shown the consequences of other actions (self inflicted or other wise). During one of my postings I had a friend impale himself on a Waratah at the entry to a bridge after failing to take the preceding bend. All the ATGATT in the world would not have saved him, nor would any Legislation (ok so it wasn't in NZ)..

My point is; if we can show someone (in person) what the effects of theirs and others poor decisions are, combined with education, then we may just reduce the carnage on our roads? The reality is we will never be able to stop everyone believing they are six foot two and bullet proof, or 'O its just a quick trip to the shops', but we can educate and communicate the added risks if they do not apply ATGATT or safe riding skills.

P.S Thanks youngatart for doing the right thing, just hope I never need assistance or TLC such as you offered that {insert description here}

[Big Dog]

Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your P.O.V) I still know people who only wear a helmet because they have to and only wear m/c jackets because they are waterproof.

As I have said to them before:

Helmet laws are not for those who would willingly wear a helmet. They are for those too stupid to know they should wear one, and failing to wear adequate gear will only drive up the cost of ACC levies and increase the risk that the sheeple will make full ce gear a requirement.

I would even go one further and say the helmet law is not for the guy who has been riding 50 years. They are collateral damage in this law. If after 20 plus years of riding (including at least one decent bin) you feel you can ride well enough to ride without it should be your call. IF your right it will be no further harm nor foul and if your wrong it will thin the herd (over population all that).

This law is for the retard who does not understand that his head is softer than the pavement and that they are riding faster than their head was designed to absorb impacts from (ie faster than a light jog).

To make this law enforceable we have to make it a blanket one.

Every person who chooses to risk their skin by wearing less brings us one step closer to having to have CE approved gear.


I would hate to see that.

As long as we have the freedom to chose though we have to execute our choices with responsibility, reason and forethought.

I lament the number of riders I have sold gear to who only bought it after I assured them that they can take the armour out.

I lament the mothers who lose their children before they are smart enough to fend for themselves (this includes the 40 year old first timer).

I shake my head in disgust every time I see some numpty in nylons and high heels.

What to do about it?

[Bren]

What to do about it?

Alas there aint a lot you can do....stupid does as stupid is.....not a lot you can do until they develop brain cell transfusions!

[Berries]

Compulsory ATGATT. Then what ? Compulsory ABS, compulsory air bags, compulsory leg protectors. Then what ? Compulsory third wheel ? How about a fourth wheel and ban bikes all together, seeing as ATGATT won't change the stats.

I wear what I believe is appropriate motorcycling apparel.

Me too. And I don't need some suit in Wellington telling me what he deems to be appropriate.

[Phreak]

Bike shops sell fingerless gloves, openface helmets (including those stupid turtle lids), tee-shirts, sleeveless vests and chaps. Therefore it must be OK for bikers to wear these.

Lol only if you are 'that way inclined...' No dispespect to anyone that is, just not me...

[Big Dog]

I care. But I'm not going to run after every biker I see not wearing gloves, or riding in shorts, or pillioning some young lady attired in jaunty CFM boots, jeans and a tee-shirt. For the same reason that I no longer give a shit about cagers who text while driving or who insist on having wheels on the other side of the centre line.

The Makers of Bad Laws will be along shortly to mandate standards of attire for bikers, which some bikers will ignore.

I wear what I believe is appropriate motorcycling apparel. I don't wear leather trousers because I think they're too hot in summer and too cold in winter; and I don't believe in fluoro vests because they're naff.

Bike shops sell fingerless gloves, openface helmets (including those stupid turtle lids), tee-shirts, sleeveless vests and chaps. Therefore it must be OK for bikers to wear these.

As long as there is a market someone will sell it.
IF it is a decent shop with any morals and you ask them their opinion they will tell you these items are shit or try to upgrade you to something usefull.

[davebullet]

And not only will he feel the effects long after, so will you. I've been fortunate enough never to have seen or had to help at an "accident" scene. I can only imagine it going through your head just before you go to sleep. It would disturb me for some time seeing something like that. One reason I am reluctant to go group riding.

Anyway, as bikers I think we should not be complacent about our gear. Replace if worn, check the stitching... always be on the lookout for more armour and protection and upgrade. Put some money aside etc...

I always shudder when I see the open face helmet and nothing else brigade. Even more prevalent on my recent trip to the Gold Coast. Saw a guy doing 110kph on the Pacific Highway on a GSXR-1000 with only a helmet, t-shirt, shorts and open footwear. Good Lord.

[CookMySock]

Tempting not to stop in cases like that isn't it. You didn't cause it. It wasn't you who didn't put the safety gear on. It wasn't you didn't know how to corner it properly. It wasn't you outside your license class. But it was you who has to mop up the mess and it was you who had to pay for it. You do everything right yet you still have to pick up the tab.

You can't fix the world. Let the idiots burn and look after your mates. Better they ponder their lesson while they sit there and bleed on their own.

Steve

[Nasty]

Tempting not to stop in cases like that isn't it. You didn't cause it. It wasn't you who didn't put the safety gear on. It wasn't you didn't know how to corner it properly. It wasn't you outside your license class. But it was you who has to mop up the mess and it was you who had to pay for it. You do everything right yet you still have to pick up the tab.

You can't fix the world. Let the idiots burn and look after your mates.

Steve

And with comments like that I can see you going far in this world. karma will bite you more than once.

There is no way I could drive/ride past a scene without offering assistance .. no matter how stupid they were to have caused or not have prevented the damage. As one day it could be one of mine that is caught up in this - wearing gear does not have a bearing on if I will give someone basic human kindness or not.

[marty]

You jump on a borrowed bike wearing a borrowed helmet...so? It doesn't affect anyone else.
You ride said bike like you stole it...nobodies business but yours.
Wearing trackpants, sneakers (that you haven't bothered to do up) and a vinyl dress jacket. So? Bloody gear nazis...who cares?

!

Although I agree with your sentiment, and sympathise with your situation, no amount of column inches are going to change behaviour like this.

I have done just as you have - picked body parts and bike parts off the side of the road - then having to put them back together at the morgue, and return bike/clothes to family - without being able to give them the (by then irrelevant) lecture about the ATGATT/license/experience myth.

Now, I just get on with my own life and deal with stuff as it comes along - I'd be a mess if I reflected on other people's stupid decisions and how they impacted on me, when I had NO say in their actions to start with.

[MSTRS:Me]

...One reason I am reluctant to go group riding...

What has that got to do with what sparked this thread? The crashed rider was on his own...it was a group of us that stopped to help etc.

Some people here don't seem to get the sentiment behind YT's post. Her point has nothing to do with what gear, or lack of, that people choose to wear. It has everything to do with attitude. The one that goes "I'll wear as much or little as I like and it's nothing to do with you" When it is patently obvious that in myriad ways, gear choice does have an effect on others. Personal choice should NOT be defended on the grounds that no-one else is 'hurt'.