Do you want to be made to wear Hi-Viz?

[heatherp]

A little while ago there was a news article getting around in which a  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

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.

[loony888]

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.

[MonsterDorf]

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



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

[ungeheuer]

....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.

^^ 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.

[DBEng]

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.

[loony888]

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.

[GK]

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

[MonsterDorf]

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

Ok preparing for the fat jokes!

[loony888]

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

[MonsterDorf]

What about jolly, are you at least jolly?

[loony888]

i'm about as jolly as you are i think mick......

[suzyj]

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
 

[GK]

Just read that article.

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

GK

[reebok]

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?

[dragonworld.]

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
 

Surely NOT!!  Pfffft!!