Ducati Monster Forum

A little while ago there was a news article getting around in which a  [leo] insisted that we will be made to wear Hi-Viz whilst riding in Victoria. 

Yep just wearing a little brightly coloured vest is going to save your life.

If you don't think it will there is a little email you can send off to the politicians contained in this blog:

http://damiencodognottooam.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/hi-viz-vest-law-7.html (http://damiencodognottooam.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/hi-viz-vest-law-7.html)

This doesn't just affect us Mexicans but anybody who rides in Victoria.  If it becomes law if could affect your insurance if you don't wear it.

i've just done my bit, really though, they have been here before, with "headlights on" and it was eventually proved to be a dismal failure which i can attest to from personal experience. The same pitfalls await though, if this hi vis becomes law every single car driving menace who texts or pisses around with a GPS while driving etc. etc. will have complete immunity for their careless behaviour by stating "i didn't see him" because this law will deem the rider 100% responsible for being seen by law.
it sucks and is just another example of ignorant misguided views based on a lack of knowledge or real world experience.
geez i hate governments.

Hi Viz and leather chaps with no arse.............that might work!

(http://www.americas-best.com/graphics/pics_ass-chaps2.jpg)

What about a flashing red light on top of the helmet?

(http://makezineblog.files.wordpress.com/2006/06/71233433_e91cd327a9.jpg?w=500&h=500)

^^ This. 

Putting the legal onus on the rider to be seen, rather than on all road users to proceed with due care and attention  can not be allowed to happen.   

Which has got nothing to do with whether I do or do not think wearing HiVis riding gear is a good idea, making yourself visible can't hurt, but if you're relying on "them" seeing YOU as your primary survival strategy you're already in serious peril IMO.

Visibility isn't everything.
In my limited riding experience I have had a number of drivers look me square in the eye and then still pull out in front of me forcing me to firmly brake to avoid hitting them.

riding defensive is.
which brings up another valid point, there's an awful lot of young and/or inexperienced riders on the roads thanks to the govt.s misguided idea that the bike industry should licence it's own customers (dumbest idea i can recall).
I wonder if a new rider wearing hi vis gets a feeling of invincibility? after all, everyone must see me right????
It's unfair and irresponsible to poorly train a new rider then burden every rider with the obligation to be responsible for what every road user sees and does around them.
As an experienced rider with an intimate knowledge of the consequences of a collision with a car i view every road user as blind, stupid and a psychopath. I take responsibility for my own safety and assume no one can see me, ever, and always ride within myself and prepared to take avoiding action.
Rider safety is an attitude, a frame of mind, and while not every accident is the same, regardless of who is "legally" at fault it's the bike rider who pays the price, The idea that a hi vis vest can protect us is as ignorant as believing not being seen is the only reason riders get hurt.

I amended the letter and sent it to Mr Andrews and Mr Ryan.

I've emailed my copy of it to a few of my riding buddies not on OZ Monsters also, hoping that they'll do likewise.

GK

Loony good assumption on your part, cause you're so tiny that it's probably true  ;D

Ok preparing for the fat jokes!

i'm no longer on the tools so i am no longer tiny, well, as tiny as a short fat guy can be!

What about jolly, are you at least jolly?

i'm about as jolly as you are i think mick...... [drink]

Anyone would think there was a conspiracy to demonise motorbikes:

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/motorcycle-safety-taken-for-a-ride-20120718-22alv.html (http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/motorcycle-safety-taken-for-a-ride-20120718-22alv.html)
 

Just read that article.

Yep, it certainly seems that there's an orchestrated campaign being waged against us.

GK

On the way home tonight, there were quite a few pedestrians dressed in black that were almost hit by cars ( and almost not seen by me too) who could have done with hi vis vests.
Considering  that pdestrian deaths are so high, why dont we flip the scenario and make sure hard to see pedestrians are mentioned in the press everywhere?

Surely NOT!!  [evil] [roll] [roll] Pfffft!!

             I've had the same experience. you make eye contact and think "ok, I'm fine they've seen me" then they pull out directly in front of you !
   Years ago I read somewhere that its best to avoid making eye contact with car drivers who you suspect are about to pull out in front of you, because they interpret that as aggressive or a challenge .  .  . and pull out in front of you. Advice was, its better to avoid any eye contact AT ALL, and keep an eye on their front wheel, the instant it starts to move, take your emergency action.

 

Wow. What a fu€kwit. It's amazing that a news outlet would publish that type of uneducated rubbish. But then again...

Perhaps when he's finished with motorbikes, cigarettes, alcohol, push bikes, horse riding, skate boards, roller skates, sex and the internet, everybody can finally be protected from themselves. Can't wait...

Where does this idiot think seatbelts and windscreen wipers came from? Developed for racing cars. But racing cars are dangerous and they dont have airbags or ABS? How can the drivers stop without ABS? Their skill and experience?! Oh no. That's no good. Just can all racing altogether.

Nice work on the Lit up like a Christmas tree line. What lights up a Christmas tree? Lights?! What do motorbikes have, lights?! Idiot.

Good advice that  [thumbsup].

Anybody in Albury/Wodonga (or know anybody there) that can help out with this? It's happening tonight.

Good morning all.

I've just had a call from Danielle at Prime TV in Albury. They want to
do  a  TV  interview with a local rider on the Wodonga Ridesmart forum
tonight  and  in  particular  on  the  police  proposal  to  make high
visibility vests law in Victoria.

If  you  can  do  the  interview  or know a motorcyclist in the Albury
Wodonga area who can do the interview, please call Danielle on

02 6049 4716

Damien Codognotto OAM
Spokesman
Independent Riders' Group
Melbourne

This guy offered to do it..
(http://www.northern.co.nz/images/products/8418.jpg)

But the segment couldn't go to air as the cameraman was unable to keep the camera steady due to sustained hysterical laughter.

It's yellow for girls [roll] [clap]

VicRoads is now running trials on Active Hi-Vis motorcycle safety... 

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1044344_542836765752437_852578972_n.jpg)

..and in a surprising amendment to the recently announced Victorian Motorcycle Boots legislation, you're exempt as long as you have Superman socks  [thumbsup].

Awesome.

Perhaps at every set of traffic lights and every pedestrian crossing the government can supply a little box full of hi vis vests for people to cross the road (like the ones at the dog park for the dogcrap bags), because surely if drivers aren't responsible for looking out for bikes, they can't be held responsible for hitting pedestrians either.

The stupidity of the entire idea astounds me.  I weep for the future.  Someone just invent a huge electric powered rubber ball already so we can all just roll down the highway bouncing off each other like a giant pinball machine.