Hi-Vis or Not

[quote="lynw"]

Originally Posted by Tigerrrr.......

but then add the front light will drown out the background and my point is you wont see it until the bike is very close and then only a small bit at that.

But I guess Im just not as superhuman and perfect as some of you.

I'm in training today and I put this stuff about hi-vis to my instructor. I have him sitting right next to me and he's happy to contribute. Over to you sir!

Hi Lynn. I can assure you that high visibility apparel is a considerable aid in safety and visibility. I ride a black pan and wear a yellow high visibility overvest. What you say about not being seen is not true. We would not ride pans if our students could not see us and we go to lengths to make sure we are seen.

To say you can only view high visibility apparel when close to the bike behind is also untrue. From student feedback I know that I can be seen from a considerable distance away right up to a few meters.

When I'm training students I have to be the eyes and ears of up to 4 riders who can often be split up. If a student gets split up, then if neccessary I can get visual confirmation when they have seen me by way of a nod signal then they can move off again. Again, the high vis gear makes this easier since to rely on lights alone may cause a student to pull out in front of another bike and end up anywhere.

I ride in high vis gear every day but I can assure you that it makes a big difference to the time it takes other road users to notice your presence. I also notice drivers slowing down more when they see me. An extra second or two can make a huge difference in any situation. However you should always ride as if you have not been seen no matter what gear you wear.

Your point about the lights drowning out your mirror interests me. I've never had a student inform me they could not see me becuase my of lights. If what you say about his lights drowning out your mirrors is true then you may wish to try setting your mirrors slightly differently or it may be possible that his lights are set incorrectly.

Which ever way ride safe and good luck.

Originally Posted by stuartyboy

Never said she did and I'm sure she's well respected but the other stuff she said was complete rubbish [it's nothing personal]. Newbies tend to take advice from more experienced members and form opinions from what's said. I make no apology for pointing out what she said as wrong and irresponsible.

So apart from hi-vis looking crap can you tell us all what the arguments against wearing it are? I can't think of a single argument against it.

lol, I don't believe I've actually said it looks crap? Perhaps you should read before lecturing and name calling?

You don't agree with Lynw, and? Am I supposed to bow down to your superior knowledge? Afraid not, I don't actually give a crap what you think. You want to wear hi-vis thats your choice. Lynw and I actually agree on this and don't think its worth wearing it. Thats our choice.

Originally Posted by stuartyboy

Never said she did and I'm sure she's well respected but the other stuff she said was complete rubbish [it's nothing personal]. Newbies tend to take advice from more experienced members and form opinions from what's said. I make no apology for pointing out what she said as wrong and irresponsible.

So apart from hi-vis looking crap can you tell us all what the arguments against wearing it are? I can't think of a single argument against it.

Hi-vis does enhance safety and increase visibilty etc - fact. If anyone can prove it otherwise then come forward for the benefit of us all.

End of.

What aload of ********. At no point did Lyn say that Hi-Viz made you less safe, she simply questioned if it did anything to make you more safe (while on the bike). That's a perfectly reasonable statement for which there are no facts, dispite what you think, that say otherwise.

Updated list by my reckoning (apologies if I've missed anyone out, it's been a long day!)

1 sv_dan - Used
2 jim@55 - L - Used
3 leegriffths - XL? - Used
4 Cheeky lemon - L? - Used
5 Thor - M - Used
6 Lucky Strike - XXL - New
7 21 Quest - XL - New
8 Mr K - M - Used
9 Kylie - S? - Used
10 Stu - New
11 Andyb - M - New
12 Jabba - XL - Used

Stu, I think I may have said XL in my pm to you, but it should have been XXL!

Thanks

Originally Posted by Kate

lol, I don't believe I've actually said it looks crap? Perhaps you should read before lecturing and name calling?

You don't agree with Lynw, and? Am I supposed to bow down to your superior knowledge? Afraid not, I don't actually give a crap what you think. You want to wear hi-vis thats your choice. Lynw and I actually agree on this and don't think its worth wearing it. Thats our choice.

Who was name callin who? What names? FYI I did read it before I wrote. Instead of falsely accusing me of name calling remarks to deflect heat, answer the actual points and give yourself some credibility.

You still haven't answered - what are the arguments against wearing it then???

Originally Posted by flamin_squirrel

What aload of ********. At no point did Lyn say that Hi-Viz made you less safe, she simply questioned if it did anything to make you more safe (while on the bike). That's a perfectly reasonable statement for which there are no facts, dispite what you think, that say otherwise.

Er... read it through first. I never said she said it was unsafe. I said the other stuff she wrote was rubbish and it really is. Someone else pointed it out before as being rubbish and she hasn't denied it.

I'm off home now in my high vis gear.

Originally Posted by stuartyboy

Er... read it through first. I never said she said it was unsafe. I said the other stuff she wrote was rubbish and it really is. Someone else pointed it out before as being rubbish and she hasn't denied it.

I'm off home now in my high vis gear.

Nothing she's said is rubbish, it's her opinion which is no less valid than yours. Suggest against being so pretentious.

Originally Posted by Flamin_Squirrel

Nothing she's said is rubbish, it's her opinion which is no less valid than yours. Suggest against being so pretentious.

Pretentious? Moi?

Er...she was stating facts such as...it isn't nas effective as people think...you can't be seen from the front...it's only effective when off the bike...etc

Where's the fact in all that?

Anyway (Lynn) - like I said it's nothing personal towards you in any shape or form. Perhaps for the benefit of everyone else you can back this stuff up with facts and prove me wrong. I'll be more than happy to eat my words if you can show us all otherwise.

I really am heading home now

Originally Posted by stuartyboy

Utter crap

Originally Posted by stuartyboy

********!

Originally Posted by stuartyboy

Sorry but I have never read such irresponsible comments on this forum.

There you go, hardly reasoned arguments.

*sigh*

You really don't seem to get it. All we are saying is that wearing hi-vis is your choice.

And its lovely that you could get your instructore to write his opinion. But thats all it is, its his opinion. I have had 3 different instructors, 2 out of the 3 said they wore hi-vis because the H&S rules require it when teaching but when riding on the road themselves, they don't bother. I have ridden with an advanced rider, he doesn't bother wearing it either. I think that says it all.

IMO wearing hi-vis doesn't make you safer, in fact I would say it can give a false sense of security, that because someone is wearing hi-vis they are assuming they can be seen which is one of the most dangerous attitudes a biker can have.

As I have repeatedly said, its your choice but stop trying to stuff your opinion down other people's throats.

Nice to see that we are all getting on.

Hi-Vis - i wear it and yes I don't look cool but I want to be seen.

It's everyones choice and veryone has opinions

Now can we stop getting on at each other, gather the toys up from outside the pram and get on. Remember what happened the last time!!


Rant over

Thank you

[21QUEST]

Ok..it's like this.

When visibility is poor, someone wearing Hi-Viz is more likely to be noticed than someone who isn't--Fact

Whether anyone thinks it's a good idea doesn't change that fact. Yes it's your choice whether you want to or not but the reasons for that choice is another matter. My opinion like

Nothing cool about a cool cold biker - Another fact :P


Cheers
Ben