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

**bogan** · 27th April 2012, 20:04

Originally Posted by Old Steve

Why isn't it? If it makes me even slightly more visible then I'm ahead in the survival stakes, along with my cautious vigilance of other road users and the conditions.

And if you're thinking some other motorist is going to be so incensed that I've got my headlight on high that they're going to deliberately ram me - then why hasn't that ever happened to someone who's forgotten that their headlights were on high beam, they usually only get a flick of high beam back at them (and I've only had one car flick their high beam at me in two years of riding with my lights on high beam).

You may be decreasing the risk that they hit you, but dazzling them with headlights on high beam increases the risk they hit something else. Its kind of the whole reason vehicles have dual beams in the first place...

**300weatherby** · 27th April 2012, 20:17

Originally Posted by bogan

Here's one!

**crystalball** · 27th April 2012, 20:59

Have filled it out, All I can say is I ride in the day with my headlight on this alone makes me comfortable enougth, At night when riding Auckland to Tauranga every 3rd weekend I wear high viz vest which makes me comfortable enougth.

**oneofsix** · 27th April 2012, 21:11

Originally Posted by crystalball

Have filled it out, All I can say is I ride in the day with my headlight on this alone makes me comfortable enougth, At night when riding Auckland to Tauranga every 3rd weekend I wear high viz vest which makes me comfortable enougth.

Hi Viz or reflective? Yellow day glo turns grey under sodium lights at night. Orange is virtually black until lit by white light, its not grey under sodium but not much better.

Saw two bikers riding into Wellington before dawn one morning, one had white panels on their jacket, the other yellow day glo hi-viz stuff. The one with the white panels was easiest to see, not the hi-viz one. I saw them at the Mobile petrol station before they left, hence why I knew the true colours of their jackets and we past each other several times on the ride in so this isn't just a single sighting observation.

Fine if you want to wear hi-viz but don't believe all the hype, you may be no better off than the rider in the black gear. Personally I suspect clothing with dark and pale colours are likely to be better, or the black jacket with reflective panels.

**GrayWolf** · 27th April 2012, 21:16

Originally Posted by rustic101

Dear Diary,

Today was a little bit of a let down. I went along to the Otago School of Medicine to be interviewed by a group of 4th year medical students who were given a research task to complete as part of their academic study. Turns out their supervisor gave them a topic of ‘An investigation of motorcycle rider use of and attitudes to high visibility gear’ to research. Yes the survey wasn't the best but life's about learning.

They intentionally came to KB thinking this would be the collective font of knowledge and that they would receive a well balanced and mature response..... Boy did they get a great response. Everyone on KB decried and vilified them, how dare they try and get a head with their research study because they raised a topic of rider visibility. After all KB members said they were spies, they were working for the evil MOTO NZ, that Gareth Morgan and his cronies would be hiding under the tables, behind the curtains. Shit worse yet!!! The Govt would pass legislation forcing Harley Riders to wear fluro vests.

But dear diary when I turned up I was met by two professional students. They were well prepared; gosh they even listened to what I had to say around alternatives to Hi-Vis and rider conspicuity (reflexiveness) and that hi-vis was not a safety item to protect riders. They even took notes when I talked about things that were not related to hi-vis but about rider safety and when I talked about a collective approach from all road users towards education, safety and responsibility as well as topics like, looking but not seeing. They were even interested in learning more about motorcyclists (collectively i.e scooters) to support their research project so they could complete a phase of their study to become medical practitioners.

On a positive note. This research project is reported as being one of the most commented on and completed surveys in the history of the Medical Schools existence, with over three hundred respondents to date. That’s not to mention the positive and negative comments on here all of which have provided a small snap shot of some rider’s thoughts and attitude towards hi-vis. More importantly believe it or not these are 'just a group of students' who were given a task to complete their study. In my opinion they have done well and full credit to them to date for taking it on. What a learning experience.

Thank you for listening.

No I wont vilify you. In fact I will thank you for going to the Uni and meeting the students.
I agree they have indeed been caught in the middle of a poorly thought situation. As I pointed out, yes the survey isnt 'the best' and I can indeed see MOTO NZ/ACC/TPTB using the data 'incorrectly' as I also pointed out in my response to them. It seems sadly that ACC once again are attempting to steer/hijack the ship? I will now almost put money on it, that the survey will appear sometime in the future to prove we dont wear hi-vis and need protecting from ourselves. On a realistic note, with the range of ages, the level of obvious suspicion towards anything remotely ACC/MOTO NZ/Govt it isnt really surprising that there has been a 'poor reaction' to the survey..... probably made worse with the revelation that MOTO NZ did not 'know' they are the client.
I dont know you or your personal views on Hi Vis, safety etc; but now they have your opinion on this.... maybe it would be worthwhile inviting them to meet several others to get a 'cross section' of population. What to me is more concerning is that
Milts sees this survey as one that is asking us our beliefs and reasons for being pro or anti hi-vis...

QUOTE: Originally Posted by Milts
It is a fact that riders believe X or they believe Y or they think Z. This is what the research project is about. Is that a difficult concept?

That to me is of far greater concern,,, the survey is a 'factual' one yes/no do you wear/dont you wear.... it isnt a 'subjective' survey that asks our beliefs and reasons..... but to follow Milts line of thinking that is exactly how it will be 'misused'.. that we did a survey about our reasons and beliefs for Hi-Vis and presented as maybe their own research........ presented to WHOM and HOW?? is the question I would ask....

**BMWST?** · 27th April 2012, 21:25

Originally Posted by Madness

I believe (can't reveal my source here I'm sorry) that some of the students are smokin' hot. Any pics?

some of them came down to the Anzac day WFA meeting.

**crystalball** · 27th April 2012, 21:27

Originally Posted by oneofsix

Hi Viz or reflective? Yellow day glo turns grey under sodium lights at night. Orange is virtually black until lit by white light, its not grey under sodium but not much better.

Saw two bikers riding into Wellington before dawn one morning, one had white panels on their jacket, the other yellow day glo hi-viz stuff. The one with the white panels was easiest to see, not the hi-viz one. I saw them at the Mobile petrol station before they left, hence why I knew the true colours of their jackets and we past each other several times on the ride in so this isn't just a single sighting observation.

Fine if you want to wear hi-viz but don't believe all the hype, you may be no better off than the rider in the black gear. Personally I suspect clothing with dark and pale colours are likely to be better, or the black jacket with reflective panels.

Hmm o.k thanks for the tip, its hard to know when wearing it as I am not the one looking at it (yellow vission vest ) yup will leave it home as my one piece suit has reflective material and my ventura bag has a nice strip of reflective tape along it as well.

**Berries** · 27th April 2012, 23:17

Originally Posted by Old Steve

And to those who say high beam annoys other motorists, to be annoyed they have to have seen it.

Have you thought about getting a siren as well? Then you could piss off even more people who are no threat to you whatsoever.

**BMWST?** · 29th April 2012, 13:22

Originally Posted by Old Steve

I'd wear fluoro Barbi pink from head to toe if I thought it'd give me an increase of 0.1% in my survival chances.

Maybe cagers don't look or see us, but I take every chance to increase my visibility - bright orange bike (thank you Suzuki!), fluoro yellow hi-viz vest, white helmet, headlights on high beam during the day. And to those who say high beam annoys other motorists, to be annoyed they have to have seen it.

I'm wondering if something like a lime green fur mohawk across the top of my helmet would help, or is that just my old punk leanings coming out again?

having your high beam on can make it even more difficult for the aforementioned "cager" to judge your speed and or distance away,and your white helmet and dayglo vest may actually be obscured by the glare of the high beam...just sayin