An investigation of motorcycle rider use of and attitudes to high visibility gear

[george formby]

It's not "a hunch at best" OO6, have you checked out the overseas (Hurt and MAIDS) reports on the subject of hi-viz? Also the 2004 one done in NZ?

Flip is more likely a realist, if the powers that be want to legislate something they will. They really want to stop paying out money while charging for the privilege of driving and riding etc. Although, keeping the public safe would be up there as well.

I feel it will come...

Like France..

Motorcyclists in France face compulsory high visibility clothing from next year.

The French government is pushing ahead with plans for compulsory hi-vis riding gear despite protests.

From January 1 2013, riders of bikes over 125cc will have to wear a reflective item of clothing under the French version of the Highway Code.

The reflective area must be on the upper body and cover at least 150 square centimetres. The requirement will apply to riders and pillions and is likely to affect foreigners travelling in France.

Failure to comply could lead to a fine of €68.

MAG’s Ian Mutch said: "We contend that a motorist who is incapable of identifying a normally dressed rider and motorcycle in conditions of good visibility is not fit to hold a driving licence.

"Making extreme demands of motorcyclists in respect of their clothing is to effectively persecute the victims of problem to accommodate the failings of those who often cause them."

I love the last two lines...

But wait..

Motorcyclists also face compulsory retraining if they haven’t ridden for five years and larger number plates on their bikes.

Other measures include jail sentences for speeding by more than 31mph (50kph), removal of speed camera signs and a ban on camera warning devices which could include GPS and smart phone applications. Penalties for drink driving and mobile phone use are also to be toughened.

British motorcyclists entering France will be expected to comply with the new rules, which are due to be imposed by September.

Nick Brown, General Secretary of the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), said: "As well as affecting UK riders visiting France, the French proponents of the changes will doubtless be encouraging other governments to follow their lead. MAG is putting together plans to support FFMC and oppose the adoption of these measures elsewhere in Europe."

[wsm.highvisresearch]

In response to the enquiries about this study:

We are a group of 4th year medical students undertaking the study as part of our course. We are receiving no funding from outside the University. MOTO NZ are the client and will be receiving a copy of the report. However, the project is being conducted independent of MOTO NZ and they have no influence on our grades for the project.

For those who do not believe that there is a benefit to wearing high visibility clothing, please list this under the "other" category on the question regarding what you would consider a barrier to wearing high-vis clothing.

Also, this is just one component of our study. We are also conducting key informant and public interviews, as well as gathering other quantitative data.

Thanks again for your responses.

[Maha]

And you would think, what better place to go to for inspirational input and support on such a matter..a biker forum...
The fickleness shown by some would indicate that there was little, or no thought given that the outcome, could work in the favour of motorcyclists.

[Flip]

Well I have just found that Harley do a couple of black reflective vests that are not too GAY.

It's going to be a pain to cut all the badges off my old vest and get them sewed onto the new one, buy hey oh well.

[Road kill]

My biggest concern over making hi-vis compulsory is the false sense of security it is likely to lull many wearers into.

Training motorcyclists to really use their eyes and their brain would be far more benificial.

My biggist concern "and probably the most truthfull" is that the OP is just using this site to gather info to use against bikers and to make money for themselves by making and selling homo vests.
Well,,,that's EXACTLY what it is,,,,cunt

[scumdog]

My biggist concern "and probably the most truthfull" is that the OP is just using this site to gather info to use against bikers and to make money for themselves by making and selling homo vests.
Well,,,that's EXACTLY what it is,,,,cunt

Ooooo,.... the paranoia will eat you up...tin-foil hats all round everybody...

[James Deuce]

In response to the enquiries about this study:

We are a group of 4th year medical students undertaking the study as part of our course. We are receiving no funding from outside the University. MOTO NZ are the client and will be receiving a copy of the report. However, the project is being conducted independent of MOTO NZ and they have no influence on our grades for the project.

For those who do not believe that there is a benefit to wearing high visibility clothing, please list this under the "other" category on the question regarding what you would consider a barrier to wearing high-vis clothing.

Also, this is just one component of our study. We are also conducting key informant and public interviews, as well as gathering other quantitative data.

Thanks again for your responses.

If you want support, post a breakdown of your funding. Taking people at their word is absurd. Expecting us to do so is even more absurd. MOTO NZ are Government lackies being used to put an acceptable face on ridiculous assumptions which are then in turn transmogrified into laws designed to prevent motorcycling from being perceived as a viable transport option. The survey is severely flawed in that it treats all road users, and all motorcyclists as "equals". They are not. Instead of training road users to acceptable levels we'll blame the motorcyclist for all of their accidents because they aren't "visible" enough to other road users while imposing extra costs, thereby ensuring motorcycles in no way resemble cheap transport.

The issue at hand is not a motorcyclist's perceived visibility. It is teaching other motorists to look for each other. Surveys are not a research tool. They're a way of skewing your results to suit the predicated answer, especially when you extort them from a captive market.

[James Deuce]

Well I have just found that Harley do a couple of black reflective vests that are not too GAY.

It's going to be a pain to cut all the badges off my old vest and get them sewed onto the new one, buy hey oh well.

You'll find that the reflective clothing requirements will be confined to certain parts of the spectrum, not all of them. Daytime visibility is what is being discussed, not the potential for your clothing to reflect light at night, though that is certainly part of the equation.

[blue rider]

What about Back Packs? Will they need to be Hi Viz, or will they be verboten, as they might cover the Hi Viz thingie?

[scumdog]

To an extent they do, give a false sense of security, people know the "safety net's" there so they'll take that into account. Like insurance, people with insurance are far more likely to be in an accident then those without.
Can't speak for down there but up here if you see a bad biker, chances are they're donning the Hi-Vis glow.

Nah, no false sense of security - hell, they can't even remember to put the fuckers on - how can they even think enough to have a false sense of secutiy??

And I'd love to see the figures re insured people vs non-insured.

Most crashes I attend it is not always info I obtain.

But most seem to have insurance - but then down here most (except for bottom-feeding slack-jawed drongos) seem to have soem form of insurance.

The ones that don't report their "off road excursions" mostly don't have insurance.

[scumdog]

I did not see a catagory for : 'Do you use additional lighting to increase visible presence to other road users'. (or similar)

[jellywrestler]

1. What do NZ motorcyclists wear when riding- in particular in terms of high visibility clothing?

my jacket has light reflective strips. Does your office dwelling high visibility research people classify that as high vis????????????????

Your gay coloured roadworker/building site cloaks aren't worth 'a cunt full of cold snow' at night time whereas my stripes are so how about laying out a definition of what you call high vis????????????

thanks

[MIXONE]

Nah, no false sense of security - hell, they can't even remember to put the fuckers on - how can they even think enough to have a false sense of secutiy??

I wear one everyday in the Wellington traffic and forget that it's even on just like my headlight so no false sense of security here.I figure every other person on the road is going to try and kill me so any extra chance I can give myself I'll take

[rustic101]

IMO

I could bitch and moan on here about the pro's and con's of hi-vis or do something constructive, having choose the later I'm in for an interview by the research team. That way I can provide my perspective of not just hi-vis but other options. Does it really matter whoés footing the bill? It could be that the collective effort could just sway some of those homos at MOTO NZ.

Some of the comments made appear to have been done with out even reading the entire thread or OP's message's. Put you energy into taking part even if its to express your personal beliefs. This is a group of 4th years trying to do what they believe is the right thing to advance while trying to achieve something for a community group. Pop your tin foil hats away for 5 minutes FFS.

[Virago]

...MOTO NZ are the client and will be receiving a copy of the report...

The truth (and agenda) slowly emerges...