Boots law in Vic from July 1

[Sundog]

If Hi-vis vests become mandatory, the incorporation of flouro and reflective material will at some point merge with leather one and two piece gear. We'd all end up looking like Rossi in "clown leathers".

I view the Hi-vis argument similar to the helmet laws. I'm sure at the time, and our Yank friends still do, that it was argued that wearing one should be a choice and they're to ridiculous to consider blah blah. Yet here we are.

[FIFO]

 

[GK]

Victoria: The Nanny State!

"Come on kiddies, do up your booties!"

I certainly see the point of such legislation, as I wear boots every time I ride (almost every) but I also wonder if this is the tip of the iceberg.

I also see the libertarian argument that says that you should be allowed to wear whatever when you ride, as you do so at your own risk.

Let's see where this goes though.

GK

[Mishka]

The f**king future.

[GK]

The f**king future.

The jacket looks great, if you're into Power Rangers! LOL!

GK

[ungeheuer]

Victoria: The Nanny State!

"Come on kiddies, do up your booties!"

I certainly see the point of such legislation, as I wear boots every time I ride (almost every) but I also wonder if this is the tip of the iceberg.

I'm conflicted.  I don't like being told what to do either, but then again I'm clever enough to wear appropriate safety gear without legislation  .

I also see the libertarian argument that says that you should be allowed to wear whatever when you ride, as you do so at your own risk.

I understand this view too..... But in fact on our roads you do NOT ride at your own risk.  You ride at MY (and every other taxpayer's) risk.  When you turn up at an emergency ward it's - more often than not - the State $$$ which picks up the bill for reattaching your missing toes.... it's the State which finances your rehabilitation.... and to some extent I feel this muddies the waters of "do whatever you like".  I want my government to not waste the money they extract from me....  so if it costs less to repair your accident damage by insisting you take a little responsibility for your own personal protection.... then on balance... I guess I'm fine with that.

[ungeheuer]

We are funny creatures...

These are fine....



But this would never do....

The f**king future.

[koko64]

Can I wear steel capped boots that have heel protection, a steel shank in the sole and double leather over the ankle?. They are heavy duty "industry" boots, but you cant buy them in a moto shop, (you can buy them in worksafety shops).

[ungeheuer]

Can I wear steel capped boots that have heel protection, a steel shank in the sole and double leather over the ankle?. They are heavy duty "industry" boots, but you cant buy them in a moto shop, (you can buy them in worksafety shops).

Yeah.... you're right.  This IS the problem..... when is a boot a motorcycle boot?

Bureaucrats will waste reams composing a definition... 

[Sundog]

Yeah.... you're right.  This IS the problem..... when is a boot a motorcycle boot?

Bureaucrats will waste reams composing a definition...  

Which will require a common standard and ASA approvals and logo to signify that it is indeed a motorcycling boot that meets the requirements. It'll be no different to any other OH&S classified protective clothing, in that there has to be a standard for policing the law to work. It may take a while but there will be a standard definition and then we'll have to go out and buy boots again.

I wonder if any other country has a boot standard? It'd be a big ask for the boot manufacturers to have to maybe redesign their standard boot models which are good enough for other countries except for a small market like AU. It might shrink the options we have for buying different types of boots, i.e. racing, street, summer, winter, low cut etc.

[koko64]

Well Im pretty much AGATT. Just need to buy a boot I can stand in all day. I hope these boots are passable for when I ride to work.

I have not seen one ad or got one pamphlet about this. Just the normal bullshit propoganda. So much for concern for our safety.

It'll be up to the cops use common sense and discretion and recognize a riders attempt to protect themselves. Its enforcement on the coal face that will be the issue, so it pays to be respectful.

If I was a cop I'd fine a rider in thongs for being a dickhead. I'd also fine grown men for wearing baseball caps backwards!

[brad black]

I'm conflicted.  I don't like being told what to do either, but then again I'm clever enough to wear appropriate safety gear without legislation  .
I understand this view too..... But in fact on our roads you do NOT ride at your own risk.  You ride at MY (and every other taxpayer's) risk.  When you turn up at an emergency ward it's - more often than not - the State $$$ which picks up the bill for reattaching your missing toes.... it's the State which finances your rehabilitation.... and to some extent I feel this muddies the waters of "do whatever you like".  I want my government to not waste the money they extract from me....  so if it costs less to repair your accident damage by insisting you take a little responsibility for your own personal protection.... then on balance... I guess I'm fine with that.

well put.  I posted a similar thing on the ducati.net email list and got a fair amount of agro from various us guys about how we in aust have no civil rights, etc (all pro gun guys) and how they wouldn't do this in the usa.  ie, no helmet laws.  I don't get it.  it's all about the money, and nothing we do is done in isolation.  people who say it shouldn't be about the money need to accept reality.

how pissed off do you get when the navy spends a million $ rescuing some solo, round the world, yacht sailing make the beast with two backswit?

[koko64]

True, we'd all like our TAC premiums go down.
Thongs in a crash = anglegrinder.

[koko64]

Anyone seen a formal document so we know what the law actually is? Is it on the TAC or VicRoads sites?

[ungeheuer]

Haven't seen or heard a word about it (other than here - maybe Sundog made it up  ).