Dayglo Knobbers

[Waldorf]

'Round in circles', indeed, but a possibility and I promise I make no assumptions about the common sense or lack of it amongst any group of bikers. I did add a wink (am I stirring things? Moi? )

You know I respect you, Ged - I have a quote of yours in my signature, after all - even if we don't see eye to eye....and you closed with a

[Bluebottle]

We can and do fool ourselves, just as higher training/high miles can lead to over-confidence or feeling in control.
The thing to do is take that possibility into account.

Personally I see it the other way around.
One day I am going to cock up and when that happens I want a last ditch line of defense.

It is protection against me getting it wrong/getting immobilised/lying in the road helpless/misjudge a situation etc.
Getting noticed more often out of the corner of somebodies eye is a bonus

[capitano]

'Round in circles', indeed, but a possibility and I promise I make no assumptions about the common sense or lack of it amongst any group of bikers. I did add a wink (am I stirring things? Moi? )

You know I respect you, Ged - I have a quote of yours in my signature, after all - even if we don't see eye to eye....and you closed with a

...and at the risk of being seen as mutually massaging egos, Mike I only expounded the subconscious risk compensation theory on here because I knew you (and other Muppets) would actually understand it, even if you did think it was utter bollocks.

I've stated it in the recent past on other forums and (rather ironically given this thread) been called a knobber by folk who blatantly don't even comprehend what I'm talking about!

[Sylar]

Tarka certainly started something didn't he, I often smile when i see bikers wearing full race leathers on the road, but if that makes them feel good they are not hurting anyone. If some people feel safer riding in dayglo outfits where is the harm?I recall some years ago on my daily commute to Manchester, i used to turn left down a one way St(one way in my favour of course). One morning as i took the turn there was a car coming towards me up the one way St. The following morning the same car again coming up the one way St, i stopped and told him it was a one way St and he was going the wrong way, he said "yes, i know but it's a shortcut for me". After reaching work, i visited the nearest Police station and told them what had happened. The desk seargant said that happens a lot on that St. I pointed out i was riding a bike with a large white fairing with headlight on . I was wearing a white helmet and a Sam brite belt, what more could i do for my safety. Was it a one way St or not? The following morning as i turned into the St there was the car driver being booked by the Police, i waved as i went past. In those days Police men worked for us not the government

[GTscootz]

Don't have dayglo clothing myself - but my helmet is fluoro yello. I'm told by folk who see me on the road that its very visible and helps a lot.

Nuff said

[gn2]

Back in the 80s the worst car drivers on the road bar none were Volvo drivers.
Volvo's main marketing strategy was to push the safety aspects of their cars.
So people got in their Volvos, their subconscious thought to itsself "ooh a Volvo, I'm perfectly safe in here" and their hazard perception just switched itsself off.
I doubt a bike rider's subconscious would be fooled to anywhere near the same extent by hi-vis clothing.

[Zed]

Heh heh..it`s warming up

So you're just trolling?

But i'm a knobbler too.

I do NOT think it should be compulsory, but as an everyday commuter in London, i DO think it makes you that little bit safer to catch a cagers eye. I might be wrong, but on a gloomy grey day the dayglo knobblers appear more visible to me than the all-in-black brigade.

On a Muppet ride-out i'm happy to take off the hi-vis, and join the black-brigade, as a pack of angry scooters is probably visible enough

[Waldorf]

I've stated my views from a rider's perspective; from a driver's point-of-view I prefer riders to be wearing HiViz.
I've been driving for a great deal longer than I have been riding* and have always striven to drive considerately, even more so since I took to two wheels.
That HiViz riders give me a greater chance of my spotting them is good for me.

I came over to England the Saturday before last, the weekend of the gales for a lunch-time party. For various reasons I came over slightly later than usual, having planned to stay overnight at Days Inn at Maidstone services then complete my journey to NE London on Sunday morning.
The weather in the Channel was so bad that we had to wait off Dover for an hour while the two older ferries in front of us were escorted by tugs into Dover Harbour. (NW Gale Force 8, gusting Severe Gale 9, Seas Rough)
My 40-minute ride along the M20 to the motel were the worst I've ever experienced - violent gale-force cross-winds and driving rain. It's the first time I've been scared riding and had I been able to stop and shelter, I probably would have although there was no sign of the storm abating. I was down to 40 - 50 MPH.
Not least of my problems was caused by cars hacking past, not slowing for the conditions in spite of the warning signs of water on the road and certainly not giving any consideration to a biker. Some van drivers cut in close, not good in the best of conditions because of the turbulance, diabolical in the wind on that evening.
I was not alone in my experience; a Belgian couple on a 400 Burger had arrived at the motel a little while before me having decided to break their journey (an unscheduled stop overnight) because of the weather conditions.

Sunday was less windy although it was still strong and there was much less rain.

I was poodling along at between 50 and 60 when I noticed a 40-tonner closing quite rapidly from behind.
I don't know why but I put up my hand, I suppose hoping he'd see that I knew he was there, upon which he pulled out to overtake - he was a considerable distance behind - and I sensed slowed somewhat. As he came past, giving me as much room as he could (I'd moved almost on to the hard-shoulder, too!) I waved a thank-you and he waved back, not pulling back into my lane until he'd gone more than far enough past me that I wouldn't be affected by the turbulance.
I flashed my lights to acknowledge it and received a light-show in return.
It was a Polish lorry.
Would that all drivers were as considerate.

* Edited for mistake.

[mottza]

I've been driving for a great deal longer than I have been driving and have always striven to drive considerately, even more so since I took to two wheels.
.

A mistake there Mike?

[SpikeOne]

For my money, (and I do wear a hiviz waistcoat, despite not having had a waist for 10 years!), I don't believe that it makes the slightest bit of difference during the day, and probably, the hiviz bit, not at night either. I do, however, think that the reflective strips are hugely beneficial at night. Certainly when I see bikers wearing them at night, they stick out like a soar thumb in the headlights many hundreds of yards ahead.
Thinking about it has made me question whether I really need to wear it during the day. On the other hand, will it do any harm - probably not...