Safety vests...

[Pathos]

I realised how useless they were recently when I saw a rider in town. Then I noticed he was wearing hi vis gear... the hi vis gear was a waste of time if it doesn't catch you're attention first.

There is no light reflecting off them unless the cars lights are aimed straight at you (which doesn't happen at intersections).

During the day they do not contrast with other reflections.

During the night they are blinded by your motorcycle lights anyway.


The work on the job because people move slower than bikes and people are concentrating on what they are doing not so much everyone else.

[Gremlin]

On site one has to wear safety vests and hats, moot point. The hast are useless too, but that is a different story.

hmmm, slightly off topic, but a supervisor for another construction division scored a concrete monier tile to the head one day... so the hat may help you...

I go with the fear theory, if the vehicle is afraid of you, it will avoid you. So big biker in black gear, helmet etc, on big loud bike is good. Do I assume I ever get seen?? NOPE.

I don't rely on anything... if it helps, it was an unexpected bonus.

[grandpa_dave]

I don't wear hi-vis as a rule. Used to have to wear them all the time at work and they're just annoying.
Maybe if you ride without your lights on a hi-vis would be important (Have seen this before) but me i'd just rather ride with my lights on. If someone doesn't see the glare of a headlight shining directly at them I doubt they would see the REFLECTED light off someone ELSES headlights shining at them either.
When riding you already have to wear so much shit to be safe anyway....boots, pants, gloves, jacket, helmet, then if it's cold a balaclava or something, now a hi-vis, then a backpack if you have to carry anything....
I tend to use other cars, particularly in Auckland, as a safety net around me, putting a truck and trailer in the lane beside you USUALLY means noone is going to charge through the intersection at that particular instance

[Swoop]

I'm in agreement with other posts here that are stating that the manner in which YOU ride is a major factor. An aggressive stance on the road to "dominate your lane", a loud bike, etc, etc. I find quite a few cagers moving aside when lanesplitting...
The yellow vest does seem to be regarded like the yellow L plates, and attracts unwanted attention.

A fine balance needs to be struck between a certain amount of aggression to make the cars show some respect, and a certain amount of defensiveness for those twats who are beyond help.

A good quote!
I however need to add that for those cagers beyond help, who need a good eye-surgeon, simply removing their wing-mirror gives them a reason to look out for bikes in future.

[Zukin]

a day glo vest (mine is yellow/green- I think maybe they "see" that cos they think it may be a cop).

Hi
I think you may have a very good point there!!
I now from my previous experience that whenever I see a green fluro vest/coat, I think "is that a cop"? I slow down or whatever it calls for, I often think damn another accident!!

So maybe we should get the vests the same as theirs (colour, style etc), the only difference being the word change from "Police" to "Please or Peace" in the same style??
Wear a white helmet to?
Now I dont think they would think we are trying to impersonate a police officer would they?

Just a thought.

[Balding Eagle]

I do wear one. I figure that if it helps one idiot see you then it is worthwhile. What I am trying to locate is a horn that I can fit to my bike that sounds like a Kenworth or MAC truck and I can scare the living daylights out of anyone who pulls out in front of me just because they are bigger. Can anyone help.

[Str8 Jacket]

I do wear one. I figure that if it helps one idiot see you then it is worthwhile. What I am trying to locate is a horn that I can fit to my bike that sounds like a Kenworth or MAC truck and I can scare the living daylights out of anyone who pulls out in front of me just because they are bigger. Can anyone help.

I have two air horns on my bike and they are LOUD! You can get them from Repco, sorry cant remember the price... They take a bit of work to install (my BF did mine) but from what I remember you may need to buy a fuse and some extra wires... Air horns are great!

[PuppetMaster]

When i see those riders with the fluro vests, the first thing I think is "NooB". And alot of the time Im right, I dont like riding near these people, they are unpredictable.

[terbang]

When i see those riders with the fluro vests, the first thing I think is "NooB". And alot of the time Im right, I dont like riding near these people, they are unpredictable.

Saw my neighbour, Grant wearing one the other day. He's a smart guy, rides competently though fast on a brand new ZX14 and has done a lot of track riding and racing in the past.
Hmm somehow "Noob" didn't spring to mind .. Whats the saying... 'dont judge a book by its cover'.

[PuppetMaster]

Saw my neighbour, Grant wearing one the other day. He's a smart guy, rides competently though fast on a brand new ZX14 and has done a lot of track riding and racing in the past.
Hmm somehow "Noob" didn't spring to mind .. Whats the saying... 'dont judge a book by its cover'.

True. But I dont know him, having a flash bike or having been on a race track doesnt mean he isnt a nooby. And really im only going by what ive seen, and thats small bikes, not great gear, but a nice bright vest. maybe it keeps them warm
Anyway, each to their own. Like someone else said, if it means some fagzor in a 4x wheel drive see's the vest and therefore the rider, its all good.

[Falconer]

My old BMW has a huge screen and top box so instead of jacket stuck hi vis tape on the top box and front body work.

[acewheelie]

I used to be involved in machinery parts, one day I'm doing to the fleet manager next to his nice bright shiny yellow HUGE Grader. The reason it was nice and shiny was it was just back from the panel bashers/ painters. On a nice day, with the flashing light on top, and painted bright yellow, some idiot cage driver still managed to hit it in the middle of a straight bit of road. People are blind.

[The Pastor]

The hi vis vests work, To prove this point I wore one to paintball. Ouch.


"hey look there he is, at the oppiste side of the field behind those trees, lets get him"