ATFGATT!

[SteveD]

Bikers may swap leathers for fluoro vests

Aug 16, 2012 12:34pm

Motorcycle riders could be forced to wear hi-visibility clothing, a proposal splitting the biker and scooter community.

A country policeman has started a national battle over the possibility of compulsory hi-visibility clothing as part of a bid to make riding safer and reduce the toll of about 200 deaths a year from motorcycle accidents.

One meeting of riders tonight is likely to start a national rebellion against forcing motorcycle licence holders, including the 750,000 who use their machines every week, into day-glo safety wardrobes.

Anger over the proposal for mandatory protective clothing is nearing the level of fury reached when daytime headlight use was pushed as a safety measure 25 years ago.

A Victorian Government road safety inquiry will consider the hi-viz option and, if adopted, other states could be expected to follow.

The public debate began when the fluoro idea was pushed by Senior Sergeant Bill Gore of the Wangaratta Highway Patrol, a 35-year police motorbike veteran.

Opponents now refer to it as "Gore's law", although it's a long way from being legally enforceable.

Sgt Gore recommended the measure at a June meeting of locals on motorcycle safety. He denies a report he told the meeting it would become law, but has not retreated from endorsing the idea.

"If a motorcyclist can make himself more visible he's less likely to be hit," Sgt Gore told ABC radio.

"I would encourage motorcyclist to wear as much high-visibility gear as they could. I wear it myself, and if it can be done, that should be the choice."

Damien Codognotto, Melbourne-based spokesman for the Independent Riders' Group, is fighting compulsory fluoro because it could affect the liability of a bike or scooter rider after an accident.

And there was no evident the jackets would add to safety.

"Gore's law is likely to change the legal standing of motorcycle and scooter riders and their liability after a crash regardless of who was at fault," Mr Codognotto told news.com.au.

"We went through all this about 25 years ago with the lights-on ADR (Australian Design Rules).

"Compulsory third party insurers are looking to reduce payouts for victims of road trauma who were on two wheels (who are) seen as easy targets for reduced compensation. That is not only unjust considering the premiums and taxes we pay, it is disastrous for riders' families."

He said there had not been much research into the issue and the collection of crash-site data had been patchy.

One bike rider named Pee Wee, from a Gold Coast Christian motorcycle club, says it's others on the road who need high visibility as they cause most accidents.

"Maybe we should fluoro all the pedestrians and P-plate drivers and riders," Pee Wee said.

[Airbear]

I'm tempted to wear some hi-vis stuff following a couple of recent near misses where car drivers looked in my direction then pulled straight out in front of me.

[ME 109]

Could you imagine 100 Hells Angels riding two abreast up the highway, wearing Hi Vis!!
That would be hilarious. How could anyone take them seriously any more?

We must fight the cardigan wearers!!! There are way too many cardigan wearers in all positions making all sorts of bullshit rules and laws because they think it's a good idea. Mind you none of the cardigan wearers have anything to do with what it is they make laws about.

[Zombie Master]

It's just a conspiracy to make us more visible to the cops, for revenue gathering.

[Zombie Master]

Could you imagine 100 Hells Angels riding two abreast up the highway, wearing Hi Vis!!
That would be hilarious. How could anyone take them seriously any more?

People take them seriously?

[Sibbo]

I'm tempted to wear some hi-vis stuff following a couple of recent near misses where car drivers looked in my direction then pulled straight out in front of me.

My worst prang was just like that, the woman looked at me, thought about it then drove out in front. I nearly made it around the back of her but at that point she decided to stop. Fuckin hopeless !


Crutches for a year.


She might, just might have seen me if I'd had a 10 foot neon arrow pointing down at me.

[Ross]

I wear my fluro vest to the loo. That way I wont have an accident when I shake it. Stops me weeing on my pants.

[Zombie Master]

I'm tempted to wear some hi-vis stuff following a couple of recent near misses where car drivers looked in my direction then pulled straight out in front of me.

My worst prang was just like that, the woman looked at me, thought about it then drove out in front. I nearly made it around the back of her but at that point she decided to stop. Fuckin hopeless !

Crutches for a year.


She might, just might have seen me if I'd had a 10 foot neon arrow pointing down at me.

Until you accept, that when riding, you are invisible, you will always be in danger.

Counting on hi viz clothing (while a good idea) is foolish.

Count on being invisible.

[Major Softie]

Until you accept, that when riding, you are invisible, you will always be in danger.

There is a problem with this statement. Implicit in the statement is: if you accept that, when riding, you are invisible, you will no longer be in danger. I know that you know this is not true.

When riding, you are invisible, and thus in danger - always. Accepting that you are invisible is a valuable step toward minimizing the risk, but it can only be reduced: you are always in danger.

[She'llbe]

I think that because everyone and his brother/sister wears day glo, people become desensitized. Every pub looks like a construction site after 4:30 PM. I'm told that in Japan, very few people wear day glo and everyone notices the people that do wear it.