For you guys that bike to school/work/uni

[BASS-TREBLE]

My trip to school is around 15 mins long on the 'Highway' and I wear pants, jacket, gloves, helmet and solid shoes which is all stored in the topbox at school.

I see the guys with a shirt and shorts on that stretch between Papamoa and the Mount, just makes you think a bit.

So what do you wear when you go on your daily trips? No matter how long they are.

[Steam]

Full gear. Always.
I commute every day, not far, but I've fallen off too many times to have any illusions about having awsome riding skills.

[babyblade250rr]

i've had a few off's in the past i couldnt imagine my skin vs tarmac!! full gear all the time even in the blazing heat! wouldnt do it any other way

[ital916]

I ride with touring boots, armoured cordura pants, armoured cordura jacket, leather armoured gloves, full face helmet, back protector and a high vis vest. I also try to pack some common sense in there too.

[James Deuce]

I see the guys with a shirt and shorts on that stretch between Papamoa and the Mount, just makes you think a bit.

Burn them!

[Usarka]

Saw a girl riding pillion on the way to work the other day in a skimpy top and very short shorts.

Well done and thank you.

[FROSTY:Me]

And the defenders of our nations roads are seen riding with short sleeved shirts on. Hmm good example guys

[MidnightMike]

I see the guys with a shirt and shorts on that stretch between Papamoa and the Mount, just makes you think a bit.

Yeop, Ive notice that whenever ive headed round that way, the obviously have either never binned or have had any decent injury to show them that their arms/ legs etc vs the road isnt pretty.

[Geeman]

Ride to work and back each day and wear draggin jeans, fully armoured Puma boots, armoured cordura jacket, armoured leather gloves and full face HJC. Tried the suggested warehouse waterproof trousers and didn't like em at all. Bought some waterproof trousers from an outdoor store - more expensive but more comfortable, pack smaller and seem to work well.

I also see people in jandals, shorts and t shirts - wouldn't bother me at all as I believe in freedom of choice (and natural selection) but the powers that be seem to use them as an excuse to make my ACC charges even higher.....

[Swoop]

And the defenders of our nations roads are seen riding with short sleeved shirts on. Hmm good example guys

Jon and Ponch always wore short sleeved shirts on CHiPs!

[Ride it till the red]

I'll probably get shit for admitting it but I'll put my hand up and say I have been known to be one of the above.

Now i neither think that my skin will beat the road nor that I am GOD and will never fall off but I do believe in calculated risk.

By that I mean, when I ride to work (every now and again) it is a 5 minute trip. The trip consists of a windy steep downhill (my street) and then via two roundabouts a short trip along a 50kmph section of SH1. I often choose to ride this journey wearing shorts and a tee for the following reasons: 1: The gear is a hassle once at work. 2: I'm often running late and it take time putting on gear (poor excuse i know). And 3: Lately it's been really f**king hot! Now the way I see it, I know the hill like the back of my hand as I have been riding it since i was 6 (starting on a push bike down to school at the bottom) and ridden slowly leaving plenty of room for other drivers error i think I'm reasonably safe. Through the roundabouts i always take a long pause and make sure I have more than enough space and therefore will live longer and finally along the stretch of SH1 I tend to be extra cautious when unprotected (the feel of wind on my arms strangely reminds me of the feeling of blowing gently on a fresh road rash and makes me leave that much larger a bubble around myself). Now I know most riders do the above anyway as do I, we all do our best to ensure we don't crash but the point I'm making is that i do things alot slower and ensure I make that extra effort to be safer whilst without my gear.

Obviously there is always the unexpected and as they say "shit happens" but i feel when/ if it happens at least I've made an effort to stop it happening. I accept that if I bin it will be my fault that my legs and arms are grazed and it hurts and I also accept that I will hear "I told you so" but as an adult (kinda) I figure I can make that choice. Any other riding and it's nothing but protection for me.

Just my thoughts on the matter and why i do what i do, obviously most will disagree and tell me I'm dumb but such is life

[Steam]

... and tell me I'm dumb but such is life.

Not at all, you seem to know the risks well. Good answer.
Now, all you need to do is REALLY take full responsibility, and pay your hospital bills in full without resorting to ACC, and also don't claim for loss of earnings after an unprotected accident.

[cynna]

I'll probably get shit for admitting it but I'll put my hand up and say I have been known to be one of the above.

Jon or Ponch?

[DingoZ]

Got a 20-30 minute ride to work and back every shift.

All my gear goes on. Every time.

Came up to a set of lights in town the other night. Scooter guy pulls up along side. Shorts and tshirt no gloves. Grinning away in his open face helmet. Leans over and says "Aren't you f..n hot in that gear".....

I nod my head in reply.

Light green and off he shoots....wobbling all over the place. Now I am only going around the next corner to stop and get some money out.

i stop and get my money. Back on the bike, and head off towards work.

Fuck me. goes around the next corner and see's scooter lying in the middle of road... Scooter boy off to the side, yelping in pain.... Bitumen burn's gotta hurt...

Nice lot of skin missing from his legs, and his hands look like bloody mince meat. Elbow and forearm is pretty much the same way. And he was going scooter speed.....

Thanks goes to Scooter Boy for the reiteration of the advice lots on here try to give others..I'll always be a ATGATT type of rider

[Ride it till the red]

Well in the work i currently do I'm not eligible for ACC (don't ask me why, I wouldn't know just going on what I'm told) so ya don't need to worry about that...

As far as paying hospital bills goes.... If it's a major (there has been, fortunately none from road bikes and hopefully that continues) I go private and insurance gets it (or some of it anyway they're good like that). If not I figure the ACC levies I pay from currently owning 11 registered vehicles (inclusive of farm registered toys, scooter etc (hey they still have the levies)) should cover it, yes it may be unfair that you pay them too and don't use it but at least it's there if ya need it.

Again, most will disagree but that happens and I won't lose sleep over it, nor do I see any real flaws in their reasons but for now I'm content doing as i do