Author Topic: Would you wear this Hi-viz vest?... (Read 7919 times)

Diesel · « **on:** July 03, 2015, 09:09:52 AM »

I reckon I would - because I have seen how differently I get treated on the road when motorists are not sure if I am with law enforcement or not.

Happens most when I wear my normal Hi-viz vest at night/dusk and headlights from behind light it and the reflectors I have on my panniers up - they leave at least 150m between me and them on the freeways!

Problem is - the one pictured will retail here for $79 bucks! (Beats road rage though).

Cheers, Diesel

StinkyPete · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2015, 09:27:58 AM »

I would not wear such a vest. When combined with the checkered band on both the helmet and the vest, it may come pretty close to impersonating police. While the initial reaction of drivers would be to take more notice of your presence, there is a chance that once an agro driver recognizes that you are not a police officer, their reaction could be quite the opposite of what you are trying to achieve.

Wear a High Viz vest by all means, but not one that might work against you in some circumstances, and I'd seek some professional advice before using it.

WendyL · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2015, 11:08:03 AM »

Considering not that long ago a motorcycle copper was taken out by an idiot driver just around the corner from my place, not a lot of point. He wasn't badly injured thank goodness.

StinkyPete · « **Reply #3 on:** July 03, 2015, 04:19:13 PM »

Here's some discussion on the topic.

http://motorbikewriter.com/are-riders-impersonating-police/

Brian · « **Reply #4 on:** July 03, 2015, 06:28:37 PM »

The short answer is a resounding NO!
It's been my experience Joe public does some weird shite when he thinks the Feds are about.
I'd rather a smooth flowing traffic corridor then Ol mate puttering along 5-10 kms under the posted limit because he thinks I'm the law......jus sayin

alans1100 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2015, 07:45:02 PM »

From my own personal experience I would decline wearing hi-viz ever.

Nigel · « **Reply #6 on:** July 03, 2015, 08:09:34 PM »

Take the Slogan off, and............ why not, no different to any other. If it gets you noticed then surely, it must be good?....

Brock · « **Reply #7 on:** July 03, 2015, 08:21:45 PM »

Quote

may come pretty close to impersonating police

Unless the word says police, or you identify yourself as police then you are fine. In WA at least anyway.

There was a guy who had a white 11 here in the west with polite on his bike and had no problems.

I wear a fluoro vest and quite often get taken for Mr Plod, even by Mr plod. It does seem to help, and sometimes does hinder.

I wouldnt wear the pictured jacket tho.

ST2UP · « **Reply #8 on:** July 03, 2015, 08:39:01 PM »

I wouldn't wear this particular vest....(just a little calculated to deceive for me

)

But I do like Hi-Vis garments in adverse weather conditions.....not just when on the bike, but perhaps more importantly when your off the bike or if you come off the bike

Much rather be lying on the road and conspicuous than blending in with the bitumen in the dark

But we are all entitled to our opinion on this matter

Biggles · « **Reply #9 on:** July 03, 2015, 08:51:11 PM »

Some words of wisdom posted already. I think the deception isn't very clever for several reasons already given, but I do think a high-viz vest is a better way to be spotted than in something that blends into the background. ST2UP's example is a good one- a grey jacket won't help you to be seen if you come off on the road and there's a car coming around the bend. The OZSTOC jacket offers a good degree of visibility without looking like a neon tube.

kimmie · « **Reply #10 on:** July 03, 2015, 08:52:11 PM »

Not a fan of that vest. While I have thought about wearing a hi-vis at night or in adverse weather I wouldn't consider wearing one during the day.
I already have issues with folk mistaking me for The Plod, so adding a vest is going to be a pain in my butt.

Biggles · « **Reply #11 on:** July 03, 2015, 08:59:17 PM »

I can just hear some bogan yelling out in a traffic stop, "Hey, tosser! What's with the 'Polite' bs?"

tj189 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 04, 2015, 09:21:04 AM »

the one depicted in the photo above - No

I wear a Hi Vis vest at night and sometimes in inclement weather on LD rides. A new rider to LDRiding once asked one of the old dogs why he wore a Hi Vis vest - the response was simple; if I come off the bike on one of the open roads at night (after hitting an animal for instance) and I am unconscious on the ground (road), I have a better chance of being not run over by another vehicle that may happen along and secondly, if I am off the road a bit there is a better chance of being seen and someone stopping to offer assistance.

It's all about you and what makes you feel good when riding

Totgas · « **Reply #13 on:** July 04, 2015, 09:32:02 AM »

Quote from: tj189 on July 04, 2015, 09:21:04 AM

It's all about you and what makes you feel good when riding

Hear, hear

Shiney · « **Reply #14 on:** July 04, 2015, 11:57:34 PM »

Quote from: tj189 on July 04, 2015, 09:21:04 AM

the one depicted in the photo above - No

I wear a Hi Vis vest at night and sometimes in inclement weather on LD rides. A new rider to LDRiding once asked one of the old dogs why he wore a Hi Vis vest - the response was simple; if I come off the bike on one of the open roads at night (after hitting an animal for instance) and I am unconscious on the ground (road), I have a better chance of being not run over by another vehicle that may happen along and secondly, if I am off the road a bit there is a better chance of being seen and someone stopping to offer assistance.

It's all about you and what makes you feel good when riding

Very well put mate

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

Gadget · « **Reply #15 on:** July 05, 2015, 06:10:21 PM »

I wear high via but not that one. For the reasons TJ mentions but also to be seen in traffic.

West Aussie Glen · « **Reply #16 on:** July 05, 2015, 06:55:47 PM »

Not exactly hi vis but have been wearing a yellow jacket since I found it a few years ago. It will now be my winter jacket as I purchased
one of these for summer:-

http://bikersgearaustralia.com.au/index.php?route=product/product&path=63_67_79&product_id=294

It was on special at the Ulysses AGM.

Also wear a white helmet. I think think light colours / hi vis are safer but if nothing else they are cooler in summer.

PS And bought one of these for Theresa in the summer:-

http://bikersgearaustralia.com.au/index.php?route=product/product&path=63_68_81&product_id=129

Biggles · « **Reply #17 on:** July 05, 2015, 06:58:47 PM »

The white helmet with above-mirror driving lights causes brake lights to come on regardless of bike colour in my experience.

pault · « **Reply #18 on:** July 11, 2015, 06:39:07 PM »

bit hard to judge either way as there are those motorists who pull out in front no matter what one is wearing / driving /riding,
see it every day

blerko · « **Reply #19 on:** July 12, 2015, 12:09:51 PM »

Quote from: pault on July 11, 2015, 06:39:07 PM

bit hard to judge either way as there are those motorists who pull out in front no matter what one is wearing / driving /riding,
see it every day

Too true. As a bus driver I'm surprised how many people will pull out in front of a 19m yellow bus with a surprised SMIDSY look on their face as they look up at the driver. I suspect these people have an image in their head of what they will see at the corner regarding cars (as in how far back a car will be before they will continue cornering without braking) and if it's different (bus, motorcycle, cyclist, truck) they just don't process it in time.

It's made me so much more aware to assume they won't see me on the bike when they miss me in one of these...

Garry_Coates · « **Reply #20 on:** July 12, 2015, 01:03:52 PM »

HI,
I am tempted to try it and have a supporting story. When I bought my ST in 1997 I immediately put a longer screen and stuck a Australian flag metallic sticker on it near the bottom to break the visual line.

The blue sticker reflects on the screen further up and reminiscent of the police blue. This is accidental but effective. I only found out about it when riding with friends and some car drivers talking to me at the lights. All the remarks have been positive as it is eye catching.

I think I will do some research on it to find any police feedback.

Regards
Garry

atoyot · « **Reply #21 on:** July 12, 2015, 01:41:19 PM »

Quote from: blerko on July 12, 2015, 12:09:51 PM

Quote from: pault on July 11, 2015, 06:39:07 PM
bit hard to judge either way as there are those motorists who pull out in front no matter what one is wearing / driving /riding,
see it every day

Too true. As a bus driver I'm surprised how many people will pull out in front of a 19m yellow bus with a surprised SMIDSY look on their face as they look up at the driver. I suspect these people have an image in their head of what they will see at the corner regarding cars (as in how far back a car will be before they will continue cornering without braking) and if it's different (bus, motorcycle, cyclist, truck) they just don't process it in time.

It's made me so much more aware to assume they won't see me on the bike when they miss me in one of these...

I don't know how many times we've had people pull out in front of us in our Cat 1 fire tanker, and it makes NO difference if we're under lights and sirens. I think they often just make a decision that they deserve to be in front of us and decide not to give way. The idea of not letting anyone get ahead of us is something that is becoming the norm, unfortunately, and nothing seems to affect their decision to not give way.

Garry_Coates · « **Reply #22 on:** July 12, 2015, 03:44:28 PM »

Response from Xenonoz

Hello Gary and thank for your inquiry.

....

Police have told me anything that helps avoid a bike being a victim of
SMIDSY is good.

Cheers, Frank

pault · « **Reply #23 on:** July 12, 2015, 05:42:18 PM »

In the same job as Blerko. makes for long days having your buffer pinched. Often think its a case of people pushing the limit of what they can get away with.

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Author Topic: Would you wear this Hi-viz vest?... (Read 7919 times)

atoyot