If you HAD to wear ' proper' gear

[Supervox]

Ok, well having read the T-Shirt & Shorts thread I thought I'd conduct a little survey.

I personally think that before too long some form of protective gear will be compulsory when riding - & i don't have a problem with that at all.

I dont ride without the "proper" kit, so technically I shouldn't have a problem. But once the state gets involved they will have th define what is "proper" and we will have British Standard Glove, Boots, etc. This will drive up prices,. making it more difficult for newbies, the eventual goal perhaps, but one I can't support.

it depends entirely on to what extreme it went to. I would not be happy being made to wear full leathers for my 1.4 mile ride to work everymorning but would happily accept it if gloves were made a requirement as i would for boots. I ride alot with only demin jeans on and a textile jacket so wouldnt be happy if they made you have leather trousers.

Originally Posted by Supervox

Ok, well having read the T-Shirt & Shorts thread I thought I'd conduct a little survey.

I personally think that before too long some form of protective gear will be compulsory when riding - & i don't have a problem with that at all.

the next step being leg protectors, speed limiters, etc,etc................

ok, so does being in leathers make you a safer rider as opposed to riding in shorts/t shirt? it may give you more protection AFTER an accident but doesnt stop the problem in the first place.

picture the scene, you've just been hit by an uninsured, unlicensed driver and you are in jeans and t shirt. who do you think will get prosecuted by the police? you! - for not wearing the "right" gear.

[Supervox]

The way I see it, the only way that any 'control' would work would be as it is now with helmets - ie all kit will have to conform to some standard or other whether it's leather / kevlar / textile or whatever.

I don't see this as an issue about being a safer rider - just less likely to get damaged.

I totally understand where people are coming from with this idea, but TBH am sick of the increasing number of nanny state policies that are being brought out about stuff like this.

IMO better to educate and leave it as a choice, especially since people and the way they ride/the risks they take are different. For example you can't reaonably expect a scooter rider who only ever does 30mph round town on their moped to wear full leathers like someone going for a high speed country blast on a bike - the risks and situation are totally different.

Given that I always ride with kit anyway it wouldn't really affect me, so I'm not gonna go out campaigning against the idea, but i still think it's a step too far.

When in South Africa recently i rode quads over some pretty full on tracks, and also through some swamps with hippos, crocs, etc. I didn't have to have a bike licence, I didn't have to wear body armour, I didn't have a health and safety breifing, and there was noone there with a rifle. Just a 12 yr old girl in fact. And guess what - i didn't die, get injured or even come close. And i had a great time!

We don't need more ****ing meddling.


How about they remove those bright yellow rider killers they've started putting on the end of crash barriers first please.

Originally Posted by Fizzy Fish

When in South Africa recently i rode quads over some pretty full on tracks, and also through some swamps with hippos, crocs, etc. I didn't have to have a bike licence, I didn't have to wear body armour, I didn't have a health and safety breifing, and there was noone there with a rifle. Just a 12 yr old girl in fact. And guess what - i didn't die, get injured or even come close. And i had a great time!

All lies! I read the papers you know! Accidents are inevitable!

Im not sure who the people are who have clicked they would ride regardless of the laws. you would find yourself without a licence very quickly im sure.

I dont agree with legislation about personal choices that have no direct effect on anyone else, in any area.

Who are policy makers, who in this instance, probably have less biking exeriance than this forum to tell us what is safe.

And as someone previously mentioned, protective gear only helps after the acident, it dose in no way prevent it!

What i think the governement should do is remove tax from protective gear that adhears to a regulated standard, much the same way as helmets.

restrive policy on personal choices!

[northwind]

I'd object, but I never ride without full gear anyway so it wouldn't directly affect me. But how do you administer it? What qualifies as gear? Very few suits are CE approved frinstance, so 99/100 of all our leathers and textiles which work perfectly well wouldn't be legal. Helmets were easy because there was already a standard. If gloves become a requirement, what sort of gloves? Marigolds