Coroner wants HI-VIZ to be compulsory on bikes

**davereid** · 22nd July 2011, 11:58

The coroner wants cyclists to have to wear hi-viz gear, but cycling advocates dont want it.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-stan...lists-unwanted

To the surprise of a coroner and the "Helmet Lady", a cycling advocacy network has spoken out against making it compulsory for cyclists to wear high-visibility clothing.

At a coroner's hearing in Palmerston North yesterday, Cycling Advocates Network project manager Patrick Morgan urged coroner Gordon Matenga not to recommend such clothing be mandatory for cyclists because it could put them off the pursuit.

The coroner is travelling around New Zealand investigating the recent deaths of cyclists.

"Some people have a personal preference that they don't want to dress in that manner, and we need to be really cautious about anything that makes it seem dorky or un-cool," Mr Morgan said. "It also sends a message that cycling is a lot more dangerous than it actually is."

Other countries where cycling was more common hadn't introduced such laws, nor had they made helmets compulsory, as New Zealand did in 1994, he said.

The coroner said he was surprised by those remarks, as was Palmerston North's Rebecca Oaten, whose son Aaron was severely brain-damaged when he was knocked off his bike in 1986. He was not wearing a helmet. She cared for him until he died last year, aged 37.

Between 1986 and 1992 she visited schools throughout New Zealand to advocate the importance of wearing cycle helmets.

Mrs Oaten had no problem if people weren't inclined to bike because they didn't like wearing helmets or high-visibility vests. "Probably, that would mean fewer people brain-damaged."

And if cyclists were more visible because of their clothing, it was more likely drivers would avoid them, she told the Manawatu Standard.

And while Mr Morgan said few countries were following New Zealand's lead for compulsion, Massey University resource and environmental planning lecturer Imran Muhammad said cycling conditions in New Zealand were different. In countries such as Denmark and Germany, cyclists weren't required to wear either helmets or high-visibility gear, but had dedicated lanes and priority traffic lights.

**oneofsix** · 22nd July 2011, 12:02

Mrs Oaten had no problem if people weren't inclined to bike because they didn't like wearing helmets or high-visibility vests. "Probably, that would mean fewer people brain-damaged."

Now doesn't that read like someone who has lost the view of the forest. She is so wrapped up in preventing the injury to her son via proxy that she has lost sight of cycling as a greater issue.

**bogan** · 22nd July 2011, 12:20

Originally Posted by oneofsix

Now doesn't that read like someone who has lost the view of the forest. She is so wrapped up in preventing the injury to her son via proxy that she has lost sight of cycling as a greater issue.

Which is of course understandable, however the decision makers can't afford to be swayed by only their first hand experiences of what can go wrong.

It seems when it comes to high vis, people assume easier to see, equals more often seen. But if the person who should be doing the seeing, isn't bothering to look, it's not gonna do shit is it?
And pedlies don't often come out of nowhere...

**imdying** · 22nd July 2011, 12:25

Great, another retard wanting to tell us what to do. It was her fault her boy was brain damaged... maybe she should fuck off and get some parenting lessons.

**willytheekid** · 22nd July 2011, 12:56

Maybe cyclist should have compulsory "Road rider Training"?.

Everytime motorcycle accidents peek...we get targeted, everytime truck accidents peek...they get targeted, same for cars...but when bike riders start dying left & right...WE ALL get targeted! and told the blame is ours!....never the cyclists fault!

Even tho we all regulary see cyclists riding illegally (4 abreast, on the footpath, or just riding like tools!), if they are going to use the roads with the rest of us, shouldnt they have the training to do so safely?
Example, the cyclist in Auck that swerved to miss a car door opening, on one of the busiest roads in the area (And there where 3 other less congested road options to take), and ended up under a truck and dead!....and now the car driver is being done for manslaughter.
I don't know about the rest of you, but when im going past a parked car closely due to a narrow road etc...I check to see if theres someone inside, and either slow down or position myself properly...just in case!......and what do ya know...learnt to do so through a rider training course.

Firmly believe cyclist are there OWN worst enemys.

**avgas** · 22nd July 2011, 13:03

Originally Posted by davereid

Mrs Oaten had no problem if people weren't inclined to bike because they didn't like wearing helmets or high-visibility vests. "Probably, that would mean fewer people brain-damaged."

Riding a couple of kg's of frame with super skinny tyres on a road (with lumbering vehicles that travel 100km/h) with no physical protection.

Sorry luv they are brain damaged before they even get on the bike.

**Thaeos** · 22nd July 2011, 15:04

I don't see why cyclists are allowed to ride on the road in the first place. Would there not be less danger for them and everyone else if they stuck to the footpath? What about pedestrians using the footpath.. well if a cyclist collides with a pedestrian it wouldn't be as bad as a car vs cyclist.

**maxlev** · 22nd July 2011, 18:05

I used to own an ex cop BMW, still painted white, headlight on.
Over the 160,000 km I did on it, people still pulled out in front of me, just as often as other bikes I've owned.
A Hi Viz jacket would have made no diff whatsoever.
If they don't look, they will see nowt.

**Woodman** · 22nd July 2011, 21:04

And they should not be able to have races on open, unclosed roads. Fuck me they were having one here the other night, yes night time in the dark with their crappy lights. I bloody near took one out when he pulled out into my lane to pass the bunch.

**Blackshear** · 22nd July 2011, 21:26

Originally Posted by maxlev

I used to own an ex cop BMW, still painted white, headlight on.
Over the 160,000 km I did on it, people still pulled out in front of me, just as often as other bikes I've owned.
A Hi Viz jacket would have made no diff whatsoever.
If they don't look, they will see nowt.

They can even look you in the eye and not see you a split second later.

Goes for everyone I guess though.

**Big Col** · 22nd July 2011, 21:35

Avgas has the correct answer.I can only agree.

**DrunkenMistake** · 22nd July 2011, 21:44

Originally Posted by Woodman

And they should not be able to have races on open, unclosed roads. Fuck me they were having one here the other night, yes night time in the dark with their crappy lights. I bloody near took one out when he pulled out into my lane to pass the bunch.

I almost killed one this morning, I live down a coastal road luckily in the morning its all one way traffic, To town, came round one of the blind bends (this is 6:30 this morning) in a 70 area, doing spot on 70, seen one cyclist with a light on the back of his bike and a hi vis vest, continued past him on the other lane and then pulled into the correct lane, and then the next thing I know, I almost boll into another fucking cunt wearing dark blue lycra with no lights and no hi vis, Didnt even see him, he was a little further a head of the first cyclist, he just blended in with the rock face and bush.

Edit: there are no street lights, and my high beams were on.