Hi-viz is an idiotic fad

[nerrrd]

By making yourself invisible? Human eye picks shapes at speed.

Human eye picks up movement and contrast. If a rider is directly approaching a car waiting to turn right or left into or out of a side street, he won't appear to be moving much at all.

Colour changes that perception. Put a rider wearing black in a hivis vest and to a quick look he is no longer a person, just a bunch of confused colours. The outline is everything.

That's where a colour which stands out from the background will take up the slack. And if so many people are wearing hiviz that it's commonplace, the driver won't have any problem discerning what's under the hiviz.

All of which means nothing if the driver isn't really looking all that hard in the first place, yada yada yada.

On a more serious note, just found this awesome hiviz accessory! Will also tell people if you like (rancid green) butter.

http://www.motomail.co.nz/estore/style/bubuuv.aspx

[Gremlin]

I've often considered making my helmet more noticeable. That's the bit that sticks out & wobbles around the most.

I suggest a high viz yellow helmet! Had plenty of comments about it (mostly yee gads, my eyes - but anyway). It certainly stands out, as it's an unusual colour, but after a few people have seen me on the road, it's lights that they are noticing first. A screen means a vest isn't going to be that visible either.

As mentioned, the article is simply saying, don't make it mandatory, and I completely agree. Let people choose.

I use high viz vests now and then, for events and purposes, but otherwise, day to day, no high viz for me, mostly because it affects my viewing of instruments and GPS etc.

[Slorider]

hi viz is part of my riding uniform-day&nite ones are the best as is a white helmet,definatly not a 'fad' for me

[ital916]

I'm now a firm believer that audible security is the greatest asset in increasing visibility. I have used the stebel three times proper since installation and many times giving it a quick tap to let people know I was in their blind zone as they has started changing lanes, not for want of being in a blind zone but having to as I was in a turning lane or overtaking etc. I find the horn cuts through their little bubble of seclusion being able to overpower the radio, the mobile phone or whatever the car driver is being distracted by.

[TheDemonLord]

Are you planning to go racing? If not, one piece leathers are a pain in the arse. Sometimes literally.

when I get my Hayabusa (dream bike) I do intend to spank it round a track, which will necessitate one peice leathers

[ital916]

when I get my Hayabusa (dream bike) I do intend to spank it round a track, which will necessitate one peice leathers

What. Track day riding doesn't necessitate a one piece, you can wear two piece leathers, or even two piece textiles if you want. One piece leathers unless racing are a pain in the arse to deal with and wear.

[pritch]

What. One piece leathers unless racing are a pain in the arse to deal with and wear.

Might sometimes be a pain in racing too. That would explain Rossi's ritual of tugging the leathers out of his bum as he rides up pit lane.

[george formby]

I suggest a high viz yellow helmet! Had plenty of comments about it (mostly yee gads, my eyes - but anyway). It certainly stands out, as it's an unusual colour, but after a few people have seen me on the road, it's lights that they are noticing first. A screen means a vest isn't going to be that visible either.

As mentioned, the article is simply saying, don't make it mandatory, and I completely agree. Let people choose.

.

Concur. Vests or jackest are easily obscured. An hemlet can be seen above traffic and yup, let the individual decide.

Good point in the article about responsibility being shifted from the motorist to the rider. I wonder how much lobbying insurance companies are doing to achieve mandatory hi viz. Would raise motorcycle premiums even further & minimise the cost of smidsy drivers.

A few years ago I nearly pulled out in front of a cyclist wearing a fluoro pink rain smock from a stop junction. Despite playing by the rules, stopping & looking, I really do look, too, she did not register. Been a bit ho hum on hi viz ever since.

[Trade_nancy]

I think that's called a polarised opinion.....

high viz can indeed mean less visibility. If you see road workers, supermarket trolley collectors, charity collectors, school crossing monitors...........all wearing high viz? Not wearing it sticks out as highly visual. Fishing vessels often use black flags, they stick out on floats more than orange or yellow. Compulsory head lights should be better than high viz.....but still bikers are not seen. High viz does not cut it

also a polarised opinion

Black stands out well against the whitish glare from the horizon and reflection onto and off blue/green/brown/white waves. Different set of circumstances on the highway...which is significantly black ain't it? Test your own eyes. Look at a field of view that contains several objects and allow yourself 1 second before closing your eyes. Be honest with yourself and you will have to accept as I did that bright yellow hits your eyes first and last. It's a fashion thing. I look a dork in hi-viz - therefore it is not effective.

[James Deuce]

It doesn't matter what you wear, if they don't see you they don't, mostly because people aren't trained to look. I have less SMIDSY activity wearing black leather head to toe than a bright red helmet and jacket for instance. I spot yellow in traffic because I know it signifies a motorcycle or cyclist. I pick bikes out of traffic because I'm a gearhead and bikespotter. I've trained myself to see and hear and smell them out and about in traffic. It is almost impossible to overcome bias when motorcyclists talk about looking for bikes or certain colours because you self-train to spot them.

[george formby]

It doesn't matter what you wear, if they don't see you they don't, mostly because people aren't trained to look. I have less SMIDSY activity wearing black leather head to toe than a bright red helmet and jacket for instance. I spot yellow in traffic because I know it signifies a motorcycle or cyclist. I pick bikes out of traffic because I'm a gearhead and bikespotter. I've trained myself to see and hear and smell them out and about in traffic. It is almost impossible to overcome bias when motorcyclists talk about looking for bikes or certain colours because you self-train to spot them.

Yup, it's moot. A little old dear came up to a junction I was about to ride past recently, looked a tad quick to me, she looked, saw me, (her mouth dropped & eyes widened) turned to look straight ahead again and floored it...... Would have been about 6ft between us when she sped out. You ain't gonna win against that kind of driver or their attitude.

[TheDemonLord]

What. Track day riding doesn't necessitate a one piece, you can wear two piece leathers, or even two piece textiles if you want. One piece leathers unless racing are a pain in the arse to deal with and wear.

But I want to look cool....

[James Deuce]

You will look like porridge stuffed into a condom. Not cool.

[george formby]

You will look like porridge stuffed into a condom. Not cool.

It's the "I've just shit meself & it's gone up my back a bit" walk that gets me. Legs bent, knees out, elbows akimbo. Not a good look in the dairy.

[Tigadee]

When everyone wears hi-viz, nobody's visible any more.

But how many is everyone? How many bikes are there on the road anyway to warrant the rationale that if everyone (bike rider) wears hi-viz, they'd disappear into the background?

I only see 1 bike in 50 or even 100 cars maybe, so if every biker wore hi-viz, they'd still stand out...