I'd just like to thank all the contributors to this thread and say a special thanks to those who have bumped it out of obscurity several times in the past 9 months or so.
Sorry Mike. I can hear you but I can't see you
Wearing Police Hi-Viz jacket?
- Thread starter justinguitar
- Start date
Sorry Mike. I can hear you but I can't see you
I'd just like to thank all the contributors to this thread and say a special thanks to those who have bumped it out of obscurity several times in the past 9 months or so.
Is there a hint .... just a hint .... of sarcasm in there Mike
Is there a hint .... just a hint .... of sarcasm in there Mike
Not at all Mick. I genuinely enjoyed reading through the whole thing this morning. Very entertaining.
Speaking as someone who fought long and hard to get the job to supply us with decent Hi-Viz, I'm one of the "black gear" brigade because my concern then was that we were vulnerable when off the bike dealing with something. As others have said (Cookie hit the nail on the head quite early in the thread); if they don't see the bike, they won't notice the rider sat on it.
I have no problem with those who feel somehow safer wearing Hi-Viz but I prefer to rely on my wits. Just like protective clothing, we make our own decisions (except of course helmet wearing but the choice of what sort of lid is still ours to make) and we compromise.
I do carry a long-sleeve Hi-Viz slip-over on my bike but it's for the day that I might be on the side of the road in the dark fixing a puncture or something, not for when on the bike.
Only yesterday while out on that F800GS, as I was approaching a junction on the A389, I saw a car come to the give way markings on my nearside. There was nothing else about and despite the driver having a perfect view of my approach, I knew there was a chance that he'd pull out into my path. He did just that. As you and I both know, my best defence was the anticipation that he might pull out, an adjustment of my speed to give me more time to react if he did, a glance at my possible alternate lines to avoid him and a changing assessment of the point at which the various options altered (braking, steering or even accelerating out of danger).
As it was, I reduced speed in anticipation and passed him while he was still clearing the junction.
H-Viz wouldn't have made the slightest difference as the driver looked at me, saw my approach and misjudged things.
But it's not an "either-or"
You could choose to use Hi-vis AND rely on your wits.......
Al
That is correct. However, as I've said, I don't believe that adding Hi-Viz will benefit anyone other than those who sell Hi-Viz and Proctor & Gamble (or whoever it is that makes my soap powder). Nor do I condemn anyone who chooses Hi-Viz apparel.But it's not an "either-or"
You could choose to use Hi-vis AND rely on your wits.......
Al
The car's been out of action this past couple of weeks so I've been using the 11RT for the 15 mile commute. Been using the ex Polis hi viz on top of the twat suit. Apart from anything else, it's warmer! Got to say, it gets me more attention and that must be a good thing. You can see the buggers checking their mirrors. I could not give a sod what I look like if it makes my journey safer. Have not overtaken anyone using a mobile phone either which is unusual. Some are clearly still half asleep though so it's not a cloak of visibility and I wont be relying on it in that way.
Each to his own.
Each to his own.
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I was recently driving our car out of the local supermarket car park when a guy on a HUGE Victory motorbike suddenly crossed in front of me into the designated motorbike parking bays, causing me to slam the brakes on. 
He was dressed in black leathers, open faced lid and had a scarf wrapped around his lower face, as I sat there doing an exaggerated shrug, he got off his bike and came over ranting " did you not fucking see me !? " doing this two fingered eye point thing.
My reply was " yeah, I saw you but didn't think you'd do something as stupid as that "
" as stupid as park my bike in a designated fucking bay ?! " he enquired.
I repeated his two finger eye to eye gesture and said " as stupid as come in through a no entry sign, you fucking prick ! "
Nothing to do with his lack of hi-viz just his lack of observation skills.
He was dressed in black leathers, open faced lid and had a scarf wrapped around his lower face, as I sat there doing an exaggerated shrug, he got off his bike and came over ranting " did you not fucking see me !? " doing this two fingered eye point thing.
My reply was " yeah, I saw you but didn't think you'd do something as stupid as that "
" as stupid as park my bike in a designated fucking bay ?! " he enquired.
I repeated his two finger eye to eye gesture and said " as stupid as come in through a no entry sign, you fucking prick ! "
Nothing to do with his lack of hi-viz just his lack of observation skills.
jeff
Registered user
Well Tim we used to wear all black in them thar far off golden days pre 'Health & Safety' and none of us, as I remember, were T boned
I, too remember those days and can't recall any of my mates being T boned (which is surprising considering the effectiveness of drum brakes)
It is possible that the reason for this is that most people had been on two wheeled motorised transport long before they could afford a car and thus had an appreciation of the vulnerability of two wheels. Have had experience of wet, greasy and icy roads, side winds etc.
I ride from Uk to Crete and back every year and spend about 6 months of year abroad. My experience is that the fiuther south you go the more consideration you get from car drivers.Possibly again because they have all used or still do use two wheeled transport.
The UK is the worst for car drivers that deliberately try to put you at risk or move to prevent you overtaking. ompare filtering in slow moving traffic on autostrada in Italy where cars and even HGVs will move over to let you get by and asimilar situation on M5/4 around Bristol where the odd moron will deliberately move over to block you passing.
One thing to certainly be aware of in southern Europe is, if you are approaching a junction a junction and there is a driver over 60 without glasses (it's a cost or ego thing) it is possible that he/she can't see you.
As an aside does anyone know where I can get something to add to my trusty old black BKS kit to comply with the French requirements for next year short of stealing kindergarten kids armbands.
Bendy toy
Registered user
My Diversion 900 became much better in traffic when I fitted some bright (but not dazzling) LED daylights. Suddenly drivers were stomping on the brakes at side junctions and aborting overtakes that would have otherwise cut me up. Its not like the bike was invisible before I always use dipped beam. However the three lights do stand out in traffic.
My GSA always has the fogs switched on for the same reason. When running a decent set of lights I really cant see that a dayglo jacket will add much value. Flickering daylights might be effective though very annoying for other road users.
Back in my early biking days, I was T boned by driver who looked right at me and promptly right turned into me. It taught me to assume they are all out to get me.
I was recently on a traffic island. A driver approaching gently from my left looked right at me but oddly didnt really slow down for the give-way. I eased off and he just kept going only to panic brake and stop right across my path. Thankfully I was now hard on the anchors and pulled up about 1 foot from his back wheel. The W**ker then woke up and drove off.
No amount of dayglo, daylights or otherwise (except maybe blue flashing) would have woken up this 2@ who clearly cant see and hits his brakes in response to every hazard no matter what.
I understand we all make mistakes but to compound it by stopping right in the worst possible place is verging on criminal. Thankfully had that old 6th sense and anticipated. But had I been anywhere between 2ft and 20ft further down the road (or not entirely 100% myself) it would have been very different.
My GSA always has the fogs switched on for the same reason. When running a decent set of lights I really cant see that a dayglo jacket will add much value. Flickering daylights might be effective though very annoying for other road users.
Back in my early biking days, I was T boned by driver who looked right at me and promptly right turned into me. It taught me to assume they are all out to get me.
I was recently on a traffic island. A driver approaching gently from my left looked right at me but oddly didnt really slow down for the give-way. I eased off and he just kept going only to panic brake and stop right across my path. Thankfully I was now hard on the anchors and pulled up about 1 foot from his back wheel. The W**ker then woke up and drove off.
No amount of dayglo, daylights or otherwise (except maybe blue flashing) would have woken up this 2@ who clearly cant see and hits his brakes in response to every hazard no matter what.
I understand we all make mistakes but to compound it by stopping right in the worst possible place is verging on criminal. Thankfully had that old 6th sense and anticipated. But had I been anywhere between 2ft and 20ft further down the road (or not entirely 100% myself) it would have been very different.
"No amount of dayglo, daylights or otherwise (except maybe blue flashing) would have woken up this 2@ who clearly cant see and hits his brakes in response to every hazard no matter what."[/I]
Sure, we could all cite instances of criminally stupid driving (as well a riding sometimes too, if we're honest!), but so what? Everyone knows no amount of hi-viz or extra lights can protect against some dangerous idiots, which is why we all need to ride defensively. I wear hi-viz and have extra lights because I believe they make it easier for the all rest to spot me. Lots of others believe differently and good for them!
Sure, we could all cite instances of criminally stupid driving (as well a riding sometimes too, if we're honest!), but so what? Everyone knows no amount of hi-viz or extra lights can protect against some dangerous idiots, which is why we all need to ride defensively. I wear hi-viz and have extra lights because I believe they make it easier for the all rest to spot me. Lots of others believe differently and good for them!
I have noticed more and more recently a growing number of riders wearing what may be termed standard design jackets incorporating integral saturn yellow hi-vis panels.
Setting aside debate about fashion victim status and recognizing freedom of choice etc, I foresee a time when such a garment becomes required by law or, just as likely, insurance companies consider to not wear hi-vis as contributory negligence in the event of an accident.
That is my only point of contention with Dayglo Derek types - their choice will eventually be forced upon us all.
Alan R
Setting aside debate about fashion victim status and recognizing freedom of choice etc, I foresee a time when such a garment becomes required by law or, just as likely, insurance companies consider to not wear hi-vis as contributory negligence in the event of an accident.
That is my only point of contention with Dayglo Derek types - their choice will eventually be forced upon us all.
Alan R
Delboy777
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Cheeky fecker...............Delboy, aka Derek 
Deer Stalker
Registered user
Maybe, however France overturned their decision to force the use of reflective material this week which was due to become effective in January.
That's a good start
There is a chap I see quite regularly that has a Hi Viz with POLITE on the back. Quick look and it looks very much like POLICE.
Bugbear
Registered user
Don't forget though that Hi-Vis is still a requirement for stopping/breakdowns on the side of the road in France, that hasn't changed.
Deer Stalker
Registered user
Yes, in four wheels or above - not for PTWs
Bugbear
Registered user
Wrong it is also motorcycles, I'll dig the legislation out when I've got a minute.
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