Hmm. I've had a change of attitude on this hi-viz thing

**Oakie** · 21st March 2012, 20:40

Originally Posted by Conquiztador

And if you think I would need a dayglow vest when I sit in the traffic so that some half blind cager won't hit me, then we are fucked anyhow, as the way the whole issue is handled is not addressing the issue.

Well you shouldn't have to need it (hi viz) but it sure ain't going to hurt.
Actually the reason I got the jacket with the hi viz now was that the jacket had to be replaced anyway and I didn't want to get a normal one and be legislated to wear a vest or similar later on. Couldn't stand to have another external garment flapping around so I've done hi-viz on my terms.

Last word; I agree, the issue may lie elsewhere as you say but sometimes you just can't eliminate the issue so you mitigate against it in other ways. Basic Health and Safety. Eliminate the hazard but when you can't eliminate you Isolate or Minimise.

**swbarnett** · 21st March 2012, 22:00

Originally Posted by Oakie

Well you shouldn't have to need it (hi viz) but it sure ain't going to hurt.

I would define having " another external garment flapping around " as a definite negative.

**Oakie** · 22nd March 2012, 06:57

Originally Posted by swbarnett

I would define having " another external garment flapping around " as a definite negative.

Which is exactly why I went for a jacket with the hi viz built in.

**Swoop** · 22nd March 2012, 07:16

Originally Posted by Dodgy

I am fairly sure that if you rode around with a lance (be it dayglo or black), motorists would notice it and take heed.

Try having a firearm on you/the bike. Would they notice?

Originally Posted by Oakie

The first day out on the road with my new jacket I had to consciously tell myself not to assume that they must see me because "feck this yellow is bright!". That only lasted a day... It is that part that worries me with L platers wearing hi-viz and then feeling totally safe.

Work story.
We have an extremely dangerous workplace but proper training mitigates the dangers. Hence we have a superb safety record.
The ONLY person to wear hi-viz here (ever) bought their lovely vest and before the day was out had proceeded to cut their hand in a very serious manner.
When he returned he was no longer wearing the vest and it was never seen again.
"I'm safe now" syndrome in action?

**scumdog** · 22nd March 2012, 08:09

Originally Posted by Swoop

T
When he returned he was no longer wearing the vest and it was never seen again.
"I'm safe now" syndrome in action?

Like the "I'm safe now" syndrom that helmet wearers, seat-belt wearers etc suffer from??

**Zedder** · 22nd March 2012, 08:15

Originally Posted by Swoop

Try having a firearm on you/the bike. Would they notice?

Work story.
We have an extremely dangerous workplace but proper training mitigates the dangers. Hence we have a superb safety record.
The ONLY person to wear hi-viz here (ever) bought their lovely vest and before the day was out had proceeded to cut their hand in a very serious manner.
When he returned he was no longer wearing the vest and it was never seen again.
"I'm safe now" syndrome in action?

So the stupid machine or whatever that cut him didn't see his hi-viz?

**Badjelly** · 22nd March 2012, 10:38

Originally Posted by Voltaire

I was riding my inner city vehicle today....the scootah.....and I had a Hi Viz vest on ...... I was happily going up the bus lane when a truck in the other lane pulled across my path and blasted his horn.....I braked to avoid him as he turned left.
He was blasting his horn to tell me his rear LH indicator was not working....well thats what I figure as his front side one was working.
I think he saw my Hi Viz vest....thanks Hi Viz...

Bus lanes are ok but you have to be even more vigilant.

What a considerate bloke! Do you think the option of not turning across the bus lane occurred to him? Do you think he might not have turned across it if perhaps, you know, a bus had been coming?

**Swoop** · 22nd March 2012, 11:18

Originally Posted by scumdog

Like the "I'm safe now" syndrom that helmet wearers, seat-belt wearers etc suffer from??

Not your best strawman.
You know that seatbelts and helmets are genuine safety devices rather than a coloured piece of fabric.

**swbarnett** · 22nd March 2012, 11:55

Originally Posted by scumdog

Like the "I'm safe now" syndrom that helmet wearers, seat-belt wearers etc suffer from??

Exactly. Look up "Risk Homeostasis".

**Usarka** · 22nd March 2012, 12:28

Originally Posted by Oakie

Which is exactly why I went for a jacket with the hi viz built in.

Bugger if it's not compliant when they make hi-vis compulsory

**Oakie** · 22nd March 2012, 18:05

Originally Posted by Usarka

Bugger if it's not compliant when they make hi-vis compulsory

Yeah it is. Probably still 4 or 5 years away though. Who knows. It may never happen.

**Old Steve** · 22nd March 2012, 19:21

If you are of the "wear a Hi-Viz" school of thought, NOW is the time to buy a Hi-Viz overjacket.

In August this year the Australian/NZ safety standard for Hi-Viz jackets changes - slight increase in the area of Hi-Viz and reflective surfaces. So current jackets carry the ANZ standard number with the old year included. After August jackets will carry the ANZ standard number with 2012 included.

That means that wholesalers will NOT be able to sell the old standard Hi-Viz jackets after August this year. There are some bargains available in old standard Hi-Viz jackets - like 60% off trade! - which will still be able to be worn after August this year, just not sold after that date.

Just go into an engineers supplies store or a safety store and ask what prices their old standard Hi-Viz jackets are.

**Oakie** · 24th March 2012, 07:28

On my lunchtime stroll a couple of days ago I heard a pleasant burble of a big V twin. Looked around and I saw a customised Harley (I guess). Ape hangers, big sissy-bar, extended forks etc and a nice blue custom paint job. Oddly out of place though was the rider wearing a hi-viz vest. Even some hard-core are happy to get visible it seems.

**Conquiztador** · 26th March 2012, 20:43

Originally Posted by Oakie

On my lunchtime stroll a couple of days ago I heard a pleasant burble of a big V twin. Looked around and I saw a customised Harley (I guess). Ape hangers, big sissy-bar, extended forks etc and a nice blue custom paint job. Oddly out of place though was the rider wearing a hi-viz vest. Even some hard-core are happy to get visible it seems.

Not wanting to kick your assumption to the kerb but... From your brief explanation re what he was riding it sounds like one of those $80K billet shop "customs" from the states. No self respecting "hard-core" biker would be seen on one. I think it might have been a wannabe who has made good money and now thinks he can buy him self a lifestyle. (Was there tassles on that day glow vest??)

**Oakie** · 26th March 2012, 21:09

Originally Posted by Conquiztador

Not wanting to kick your assumption to the kerb but... From your brief explanation re what he was riding it sounds like one of those $80K billet shop "customs" from the states. No self respecting "hard-core" biker would be seen on one. I think it might have been a wannabe who has made good money and now thinks he can buy him self a lifestyle. (Was there tassles on that day glow vest??)

Yeah, you're probably right actually. And there were no tassles that I could see but the vest was dirty.