If drivers can't see a large blob of red (or yellow) approaching them (assuming the blob is within the speed limit etc) then they shouldn't be on the road.....There should be no need for hi-viz stuff.
That's as maybe but if it's going to help them see me and reduce my chances of being the most right person in the mortuary then I don't see the problem
Lisa Ann (don't google that at work!) should be waiting for me each evening with a bottle of baby oil, sadly she ain't! :tongue:
What I am sayin' is that if they can't see the red or yellow blob and headlight hurtling towards, them, then they won't see the bl**dy Hi-Viz either..... .....I came to the conclusion very early on, that the bike rider has to learn to see 'them' rather than 'they' see the bike. AL
<small voice>I wear a hi-viz jacket</small voice> Ok, so not all year round, but commuting through the winter made me realise just how crap my Ducati "Hyper" textile jacket was - it's not waterproof for a start and the wind gets right in through the zip giving you a really cold chest, even with the liner in! My mate had a hi-viz jacket he'd bought cheap off ebay and raved about it as it was not only Gore-Tex (so waterproof) but really cheap too at just £40. I gave it a go and found that wearing it *over* my normal riding gear kept me toasty warm and dry too. I won't be wearing it when (if!) the weather gets a bit warmer but it's been great so far in the cold, dark months and if it's helped me stay alive then so be it! Do I feel like a dick wearing one? Not really as everyone else on my commute wears one or a tabbard anyway, and I'm only commuting. I have the full on Ducati Corse Dainese one-piece leathers to relive my racing days when I'm out round the back roads or on a trackday anyway, or the Hyper textile jacket for just popping down the shops (when it's not raining!).
@ Shadow - The two main problems are - 1. If it becomes accepted that all bike riders should do it, then the "contributory negligence" argument is raised whenever one is knocked off, no matter if it was 100% the other person's fault. 2. Freedom of choice. If you choose to dress head-to-toe in bright yellow, then that's your choice, and I support your right to do it. I won't do it, because I choose not to, and that's MY right ( and because I know from personal experience that it makes not the slightest bit of difference ! )
With reference to the "looking like the old Bill" thing... A mate of mine used to have a big white Kawasaki GTR1000 with day-glo yellow mirrors. He had a plain white helmet too... It would clear cars from the outside lane of a motorway like you wouldn't believe - no need for day-glo clothing, no-one can see it behind the "barn door" fairing anyway. Following him on the trip from Portsmouth to Plymouth, or vice-versa, was always quicker than riding alone because almost everything moved over. However... It still didn't stop him getting put into intensive care by a stupid, myopic moron that changed lanes into him and punted him into the back of another car... As gliddofglood has said above - if they are not looking it makes no difference what you are wearing or riding...
I think it should start with the hazard perception test that all new learners must sit. They should have a section on visibility and have scenarios were normal bikers in everyday riding gear are riding around amoungst traffic and ask the question, touch the screen when you see the biker (not the hazard). That should start to see people see us more.
@ hyabusa47 - I like that idea... And I am also a big fan of the idea of complusary re-testing: maybe every ten years. The idea that driving a car is a right has to be done away with. Driving a car ( or any other vehicle ) is a privilege, not a right, and should be earned. I also think that there should be a compulsary eyesight test every two years ( everytone should have their eyes tested every two years anyway... ).
Yes agree, recently passed my car test after years of riding the bike and found on my first lesson that I needed glasses to read road signs from the correct distance. Years of riding the same routes, and sat nav invention my sight was not as it used to be. Re-testing as well should be insurance linked as well to give people better discounts. I have also found and test verify this that bike riders are generally better car drivers and follow the Highway Code closely compared to non bike riders. We seem to be more in tune with our surroundings and other fellow road users. Funny that is.
I wear high vis for my long commute rides, but not for sunny weekend rides on my 999. One of my concerns is being separated from the bike for whatever reason, breakdown, accident etc - and then being even less visible whilst being in the road, especially in darkness.
"Risk compensation" is alive and well - which is more than can be said for mnany of its victims... I saw a report a few years ago from a car insurance company. They had found that the people who had the least accidents drove old 4x4's and old sportscars. So, two of the least safe vehicles ( according to the "Safe & Healty" brigade ) actually have less accidents. Could this be because their drivers are more aware of their surroundings and their own vulnerability, and drive accordingly ? Interestingly, a bike insurance company did a similar study ( mostly to find data about custom bikes ). Despite what you would think about "Swedish style" chops ( very long forks, minimal brakes, crap handling etc ) they couldn't find a single accident report about one. They came to the same conclusion - if you feel safe you take more risk... If you feel vulnerable you take more care...
Ummmmm, you have a point there. Nothing worse than being in a ditch or hedge in the dark and no one knowing you are there. Modern technology should provide us with sensors in our gear so that if we have an accident it links to our insurance company and informs them we need help, just a thought
@ cockneyjanner - I always carry hi-viz bibs in the car for the same reason. There are several countries ( Spain for definite ) where it is a legal requirement to have them in the vehicle... Never thought about it on the bike though - maybe I'll roll one up and bung it under the seat...
The average miles per annum covered by these vehicle types may be a factor here? My 94 year old stepfather hasn't had any speeding tickets or other motoring offences/accidents for a few years. His age group must have very good records. You wouldn't want him to drive you anywhere though!!!!
But wouldn't you say these statistics are a bit twisted, in that the drivers/ riders of these vehicles probably don't use them all the time as their main form of transport, so the less they use them, the less chance of a claim.
