Hi-vis law in France and Ireland passed, who's next??

[Nooj]

Against EU Member States Introducing Mandatory High Visibility Clothing For Motorcyclists


Responsible department: Department for Transport


We the undersigned urge the British Government to put pressure on the European Commission to discipline any member state that imposes clothing standards on motorcycle riders. We view any such requirement as an expression of prejudice against motorcyclists and a barrier to the free movement of people within the EU. With regard to the current proposals on mandatory high visibility clothing being considered by some member states, we consider this to be ill advised and naïve. We challenge the speculation that high visibility clothing will reduce accidents involving motorcyclists. We question the right of motorists to hold driving licenses if they are incapable of seeing a rider and motorcycle unless clad in high visibility clothing. We challenge the logic that imposes unreasonable requirements on the victims of accidents in order to accommodate the failings of those who cause them

[size=78%]https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/26931[/size]

[Ton13]

cant click on the link?! 
 

[Grahamm]

Try http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/26931 I've just signed.

[locksmith]

So when I ride in France I need to wear HI-viz?

[Slaninar]

More and more the EU is becoming one big cage. Germans...

[HarryHornby]

signed

[ghostbiker]

Signed, not many sigs yet though.

[Phil TK]

Signed, not many sigs yet though.

 
 I'm not surprised, it's such a badly written letter you'd forgive anyone for passing it by. Why is it addressed to the DOT? It should be addressed to the Transport Minister himself.
 
And let's be honest folks, the reason we don't want flourescent clothing is because it can make you look a prat and not because we don't believe in the safety aspect.

[ghostbiker]

I have no doubt at all in "some" situations hi vis can help, and i am not against hi vis. some of it even looks ok now if your prepaired to pay for the good looking stuff.

I even offten wear hi vis arm bands and belt, but the issue here for me is not so much hi vis but being forced to wear it at all times.
we all started riding bikes for many reasons but one of those reasons for me at least is the sense of "freedom"
a freedom that is slowly being eroded and mostly by the EU impossing laws upon us.

[Chillum]

In truth, as long as I wore a hi-viz armband and was wearing a lid I'd be perfectly legal to ride a motorbike in France - ok AND something to cover the wormy. That would make me feel so safe I could start taking extra risks like not thinking for all those clueless cagers out there yes?

[Tormentron]

Hasn't been passed in Ireland yet... and hopefully never.

[eddie]

oops ......Iv just got me self one...the older you get the more you fear SMDSY induced pain

[John Silva]

Signed

[Slaninar]

I don't like too much rules. This law sounds like too much interference into one's freedom of choice. Like an obligatory uniform. However, I do believe it is safer and often wear a HiVis jacket on a bicycle and motorcycle. It works.

[Phil TK]

we all started riding bikes for many reasons but one of those reasons for me at least is the sense of "freedom"
a freedom that is slowly being eroded and mostly by the EU impossing laws upon us.

Wimp. Biking has always had a rebel image so let's all be be a rebel, let's just ignore the legislation if it does happen. There are plenty of people in certain states in the USA who ignore the helmet law and make the law look an ass. Perhaps on this occaision we need to do the same and simply stick two fingers up at legislators.
 Freedom you say? It's always had to be fought for! Let's fight for once.

[ghostbiker]

As an individual I can't Dio much, so I joined the BMF and MAG to help fight my corner. Those 2 groups can and do get more done for bikers than I could ever do by getting a ticket for not wearing a lid.

I did attend a few helmet rallys on the back of my brothers bike as a kid and would and do attend most protests in my area, but they have little effect unless a larger % turn out and stand up for what they belive.

Power to the mass, but in this case the mass is BMF. And MAG

Btw the club has a small Bmf membership so even in that small way some of us also contribute to the fight lol small Bmf plug for tori there :p

[Phil TK]

Power to the mass, but in this case the mass is BMF. And MAG

 I'm a member of neither but would support any action they organise.
If a law was passed to force me to dress like a demented lollipop man I wouldn't obey it, I wear a flourescent bib by choice when commuting but on sparkly summer afternoons and weekend rides I simply wouldn't wear anything like that.

[Ton13]

signed it...id just like to say thou...  most of my friends that have been hit were wearing high viz
 
i wear one all day at work... i dont want to have to wear one on my bike too 

[Chillum]

When the only off I've had involving another vehicle happened it wouldn't have mattered if I'd been wearing a feckin nightclub round me neck - if they don't look it doesn't matter.

[pitternator]

The point is surely none of us are convinced high viz will make any diffrence to our safety. As such by accepting this,and doing bugger all to stop it, we almost condone future legislation like reduced power limits etc. If we dont stand up and be counted, we definitely will get trodden over.

[Phil TK]

The point is surely none of us are convinced high viz will make any diffrence to our safety.

I think it does make a difference, at this time of year certainly.

[pitternator]

Phil
Only if the feckers are looking. I have been involved in several smidsy accidents...especially older drivers with poor vision.In those cases its irrelevant whether you have lights on or off, hi viz or not ...the distracted or impaired drivers still pull out. This high profile case of the elderly driver knocking down a girl on the path is typical of such.Let alon epeopl etexting whil edriving , taking eyes off road while chatting , turning round to sort kids out etc. All oblivious to the effects of their negligence.Whats needed is better driver awareness not us having to look like lighthouses in the dark !
 
 I dont think its harmful to wear hi vis, except it might give the rider a sense of confidance that other drivers have seen you , and then not ride defensively.Yes by all means take steps to make oneself visible...but ultimately it is not  a guarentee they have seen you.Hence why I am concerned about implementing it like this.
 
What next ?..rotating lights on our heads !   

[wraith600]

high vis is bollocks and will never replace good road skills .


didnot help this copper either

heavy police motorbike accident on camera

[locksmith]

Fekkin suicide bid I'd have thought.

Has the hiviz actually become law in France yet?
Had a quick look around and haven't found confirmation of it.

[Phil TK]

 I dont think its harmful to wear hi vis, except it might give the rider a sense of confidance that other drivers have seen you , and then not ride defensively

 I don't think anyone is actually dumb enough to stop riding defensively because they decided to wear hi-viz 'instead'.