ACC/Pro Rider Silver course

[Racing Dave]

Also, I don't want to wear something that has the potential to lull me into a false sense of security.

Or riding with your headlight on in daytime, for example...

[eldog]

Or riding with your headlight on in daytime, for example...

OR a helmet. Gloves. Boots combo

[eldog]

Wonder how many wear hiviz because they are scared of their own shadows and only ride from time to time?

That's me.
OK I try to ride once a month or two

I don't qualify for the course. Too slow

[Richard Mc F]

Yeah nah.............that correlation could be more to do with rider demographic, squids, harley wanna be and un skilled hipsters (to name but a few) won't be seen dead in it.

Commuters and the supposed more sensible/mature/scared of their own shadow (to name but a few) will wear it

Easy be your 37% right there.

I don't but that is because I am indecisive as to what riding tribe I should align with

Or maybe I don't give a fuck

Indecisive

[swbarnett]

Or riding with your headlight on in daytime, for example...

Agreed. For most of my riding career I rode without my headlight on in daylight. I only started riding with it on when I bought a bike without a light switch. Can't say I noticed any difference.

At least you can ignore your headlight. You don't get a constant reminder of it every time you get on the bike.

[swbarnett]

OR a helmet. Gloves. Boots combo

At least with them there is some proven benefit that's more than statistical.

[eldog]

At least with them there is some proven benefit that's more than statistical.

No disagreement there.

I wear a Hi Vis, but I usually leave if undone as it causes a flutter when riding (Unless it's freezing)
More noticeable than a HiVis only

patched members don't wear HiVis - they are bullet proof

but its your safety, do as much as you want.

[rastuscat]

Guessing it's been said before.

Those likely to wear a hi viz vest are those with a "safer" mentality.

Which means they are likely to be safer even without the vest.

It's a bit like the ACC courses. Those who attend are all there because they want to be. Which means they have a safety mentality, and are less likely to actually need the course.

Self defeating, really.

[Bass]

Also, I don't want to wear something that has the potential to lull me into a false sense of security.

I really don't get this.
I have spoken to several people about it and the UNIVERSAL response is that it's just a bit of cloth, not a suit of armour. They use it accordingly, mostly with no idea whether it does any good or not.
I've never met anyone who was lulled into anything by it. I guess it's the "not knowing" that makes it so.

A couple of points:-

Some of these vests have really good reflectors on them. I have been told that the Missus on the back lights up like the airport when in the headlights - no missing us from behind at night. This is also true of some other riding gear of course.

If a person is of the mindset that a bit of brightly coloured cloth imparts a false sense of security, should they be on a bike? It seems to me that a healthy dose of skepticism is an essential motorcycling survival tool. IMHO, the moment you are sure that the car won't pull out on you is the moment you should update your funeral insurance.

This is a shot at the idea, not the person by the way.


Aw what the hell; it's not worth any further discussion. This is a debate that has been done to death many times. It's probably eligible for national super.

[nzspokes]

Self defeating, really.

Exactly, which is why the the ACC scheme is utterly pointless.

[Bass]

Exactly, which is why the the ACC scheme is utterly pointless.

Not at all. This group have less accidents, not none. They know they have room to improve.

[Old Steve]

Wonder how many wear hiviz because they are scared of their own shadows and only ride from time to time?

I ride about 200 + days a year, do a 70 km commute to and from work, plus take as many weekend rides as I can fit in. And I wear hi-viz from personal choice. I don't force anyone else to wear it as well, that's your choice. But I don't wear it because I'm scared to ride my bike or my shadow.

You choose what you wear, it's no concern of mine and I won't denigrate you for what you choose to wear. Just wish you had the same respect for those who choose to dress differently to you when they ride their bikes. Disappointed in you spokes.

[rastuscat]

Exactly, which is why the the ACC scheme is utterly pointless.

Entirely disagree.

Haters are going to hate.

Ask most folk who have attended.

But then, this is KB. Reality means little.

[rastuscat]

Basically here's my take on the hi viz thing.

I believe that being visible is more about positioning than the colour of your jacket or whether you ride with your headlight on.

People don't wake up in this country, look in their bathroom mirror and say "I'm gonna get me a motorcyclist today."

They nail us because they make fundamental human errors. From which we are not exempt, I might add.

As a rule, if people see us, they are less likely to kill us.

Headlights, positioning and how conspicuous we appear (e.g. hi viz) are key to not falling victim to those fundamental human errors.

Charlie Lambs research on conspicuity is gold.

Sometimes I wear hi viz, sometimes not. I did yesterday on the scooter, I will again today. Tomorrow? Maybe.

[rastuscat]

Not at all. They know they have room to improve.

And there is the crux of the issue.

Those who think they have nothing to improve on are the ones who are the greatest risk.

How's that for an inverse relationship?