Hiviz. Am I a dork?

**Hitcher** · 10th December 2011, 14:28

Originally Posted by cs363

Note that the document actually states: 'Drivers wearing any reflective or fluorescent clothing had a 37% lower risk than other drivers.'

All this proves is that 73.21% of all statistics are made up. Seriously.

In the absence of a proper double-blind approach, there can be no proper analysis, only speculation. One of the few safety measures that doesn't require a double-blind technique to defend its efficacy is the parachute.

Hi-vis has made its way into all sorts of areas where really all it does is provide a uniform for construction workers and emergency services staff, in addition to all of the other PPE they are expected to wear. In daylight, hi vis is beyond pointless. It's a different story at night, but not for the front view of a motorcyclist, nor for a rear view if the rider's apparel is obscured by a top box, pillion or back pack.

**rastuscat** · 10th December 2011, 19:16

Originally Posted by oneofsix

True. You have to balance cautious with aggressive depending on circumstances. The overly cautious will get run off the road.

Don't be aggressive. Be assertive.

If you have the right of way, take it, otherwise you are training the other driver to disregard the road rules.

Always have an out tho, so you can bail in the event of the other numpty forcing their way over your rights.

So, be assertive.

On our Popo motorcycle training course, the now-retired instructor used to take marks off us for not being assertive enough. Not passing where he thought it safe to do so was marked down. His message was assertive and progressive riding. It was a little hotter than I was used to, but has taught me to get about more efficiently.

And yes, we wear the viz stuff. I wear it privately as well, but orange, not lemon. Love my citrus but sweet, not asour.

If Hitcher has to ask "am I a dork for wearing hi-viz?", he already knows the answer. He's not.

**Tricia1000** · 11th December 2011, 09:33

Just my 2 cents worth, or is it 10 cents now?
I always wear hi-viz, I feel "naked" without it. I always want to make sure that I know I am doing everything to make the other tossers see me. PLUS and it is a big PLUS: When you wear hi-viz, and you have had it for say 6 months, look at how dirty it gets. The hi-viz is saving your jacket from getting all that dirt. In 6 months, you just throw it away, and get a new one, and still reasonable clean jacket!!
But imaging not wearing hi-viz, it is dusk, you come off your bike on some random corner, lying at the side of the road. You hear a car approaching, you might have time to reflect on how wise was it to wear just black, or you might not. At least with a hi viz, it would get picked up in cars headlights.

I personally think there are lots of pluses for wearing hi-viz. It doesn't have to be a traditional one either. mine is black mesh with pink stripes for a girl - they have all sorts of colours at www.accidentscene.org .

**avgas** · 11th December 2011, 09:56

Today I did a series of tests.

Riding with no pants definitely gets you more attention than wearing hi-viz.

Therefore I feel it should be compulsory that we no longer wear pants on a motorbike. The jury is still out if I should wear hi-viz or simply not wear pants on the job.

**FJRider** · 11th December 2011, 10:00

Originally Posted by Tricia1000

Just my 2 cents worth, or is it 10 cents now?
I always wear hi-viz, I feel "naked" without it. I always want to make sure that I know I am doing everything to make the other tossers see me. PLUS and it is a big PLUS: When you wear hi-viz, and you have had it for say 6 months, look at how dirty it gets. The hi-viz is saving your jacket from getting all that dirt. In 6 months, you just throw it away, and get a new one, and still reasonable clean jacket!!
But imaging not wearing hi-viz, it is dusk, you come off your bike on some random corner, lying at the side of the road. You hear a car approaching, you might have time to reflect on how wise was it to wear just black, or you might not. At least with a hi viz, it would get picked up in cars headlights.

Most motorcycle gear IS washable ... if you dont look after it ... it wont look after you. Dont you wash your gear ... ??? Cleaning IS womens work after all ...

There is a lot of MOTORCYCLE gear (jackets/pants) that has the necessary reflective panels ... in a wide range of base colours in the gear.

If wearing this type of gear ... and riding with your headlight ON (as required by law now) and still CAN'T be seen ... NO amount of Hi Viz gear will save you.

If you (anybody) choose(s) to wear gear without the reflective high viz bits ... as a fashion statement ... or to enhance the "Biker" look ... I suggest you ride as though NOBODY can see you.

You may live longer ...

**MSTRS:Me** · 11th December 2011, 10:22

Originally Posted by FJRider

... I suggest you ride as though NOBODY can see you ...

Regardless of what you wear (or not)

**pritch** · 11th December 2011, 10:36

Earlier this year I toured the South Island with a group of motorcyclists some of whom had travelled with the same group several times previously. Some of them wore hi viz.

On the occasions where any of them had arrived in a town en route prior to me, I found their hi viz most helpful in locating the best cafe.

**Fast Eddie** · 11th December 2011, 12:21

Originally Posted by pritch

Earlier this year I toured the South Island with a group of motorcyclists some of whom had travelled with the same group several times previously. Some of them wore hi viz.

On the occasions where any of them had arrived in a town en route prior to me, I found their hi viz most helpful in locating the best cafe.

haha bout the most useful they are.

the way these laws and safety campagins are going - its going to end up that everyone gets wrapped up in fluro orange bubble wrap a few inches thick and have flashing lights all over plus 2 pilot vehicles for and aft. Should be pretty visible by then.

**george formby** · 11th December 2011, 12:31

Originally Posted by Fast Eddie

haha bout the most useful they are.

the way these laws and safety campagins are going - its going to end up that everyone gets wrapped up in fluro orange bubble wrap a few inches thick and have flashing lights all over plus 2 pilot vehicles for and aft. Should be pretty visible by then.

Like the Killer Bees bad boy gang?

**Fast Eddie** · 11th December 2011, 12:34

Originally Posted by george formby

Like the Killer Bees bad boy gang?

I don't get the reference.. since I don't know who they are.. must be a north island thing

**Tricia1000** · 11th December 2011, 14:55

Enjoy your next 20 years having skin grafts then.

Originally Posted by avgas

Today I did a series of tests.

Riding with no pants definitely gets you more attention than wearing hi-viz.

Therefore I feel it should be compulsory that we no longer wear pants on a motorbike. The jury is still out if I should wear hi-viz or simply not wear pants on the job.

**Tricia1000** · 11th December 2011, 15:01

I quite agree that washing your gear periodically is good. But if you need to wear it every day, then that becomes a problem. But after it has been washed a few times, that reduces the waterproof qualities of the gear, plus getting the armour in and out, can be a mission.
The stuff with the reflective panels is good, as well as night stripe on boots.
Cleaning may be womens work, but if you live alone, so is mowing the grass, waterblasting the house, running a business, doing accounts, doing GST returns, paying wages, doing PAYE, washing the cars, motorbikes, house work, shopping for groceries etc.

Originally Posted by FJRider

Most motorcycle gear IS washable ... if you dont look after it ... it wont look after you. Dont you wash your gear ... ??? Cleaning IS womens work after all ...

There is a lot of MOTORCYCLE gear (jackets/pants) that has the necessary reflective panels ... in a wide range of base colours in the gear.

If wearing this type of gear ... and riding with your headlight ON (as required by law now) and still CAN'T be seen ... NO amount of Hi Viz gear will save you.

If you (anybody) choose(s) to wear gear without the reflective high viz bits ... as a fashion statement ... or to enhance the "Biker" look ... I suggest you ride as though NOBODY can see you.

You may live longer ...

**FJRider** · 11th December 2011, 18:38

Originally Posted by Tricia1000

I quite agree that washing your gear periodically is good. But if you need to wear it every day, then that becomes a problem. But after it has been washed a few times, that reduces the waterproof qualities of the gear, plus getting the armour in and out, can be a mission.

I regularly wash my Gortex gear (with a mild detergent) then a "rinse wash" followed by a wash (NO DETERGENT) with an addition of NIKWAX (TX Direct) which is available in most sports shops. The Nikwax helps restore the water repellency of the gear.
Five minutes getting the armour in and out is worth the effort. Or ... an alternitive is spreading the gear out on a tarpaulin ... and giving it a scrub with the armour still in. NIKWAX do have a spray on water repellent, but is more expensive.
With the linings taken out prior to washing ... it doesn't take long to dry. No heat required ... just a fan, at most.
The linings can be washed separately with on delicate wash.

Originally Posted by Tricia1000

Cleaning may be womens work, but if you live alone, so is mowing the grass, waterblasting the house, running a business, doing accounts, doing GST returns, paying wages, doing PAYE, washing the cars, motorbikes, house work, shopping for groceries etc.

I live alone ...

and you could get a MAN to wash it for you ...