[rustynutz]

New Motorcycle Graduated Licensing System : VicRoads

Yet again our bureaucrats are introducing half baked ideas in their quest to be seen to be doing something, this time with learner & newly licenced motorcyclists...
 
Two that stand out are the compulsory use of headlights at all times and the compulsory wearing of a high visibility vest or jacket. 

[AlanHo]

I would consider both those ideas as eminently sensible.

[Surferdude]

I would consider both those ideas as eminently sensible.

Yeah. Me too, Alan.

[TheReaper]

 

[rustynutz]

I expected most on here would think that.....

So, tell me how does a fluoro vest help a rider learn to ride properly?

Would one also work for a learner car driver? 

All motorcycles imported into Australia currently have the headlight already hard wired on so the only difference for learners is that they aren't able to fit a headlight switch. This helps in learning to ride how? 

[Phil №❶]

I assume by being seen by other motorists, they get to complete their learning program, rather than being buried.

[rustynutz]

The Road Safety Committee's "Inquiry Into Motorcycle Safety" had this to say about Hi Vis clothing for motorcyclists...

The Committee is unable to support the proposal to mandate the use of hi-visibility clothing for motorcyclists, because there is no single approach in terms of increasing the visibility of clothing that would work in all riding circumstances.

[TheReaper]

It has nothing to do with learning.  It gives us better vis, of them driving stupidly, so we dont run them over 

[rustynutz]

If only it was true, as has been pointed out in previous discussions, drivers still turn in front of motorcyclists.

When will the onus be put on to drivers to look out for other road users and not expect them (motorcyclists) to be lit up like Christmas trees?

Honestly, motorcycles really aren't that hard to see if only people would look....but no, it's much easier to pass the buck. Pretty typical of our society really....

[TheReaper]

What harm does it place by having the vest and lights on

[Phil №❶]

Personally, I'm in favour of hi vis, but I object in principle to the govt legislating that I must wear particular clothes, just like I won't be told how hot my HWS water is allowed to be. 

[The Gonz]

Legislating to force those with a below average level of common sense is an insult to the remainder.

And yes, I'd like to see a culture where two wheels are regarded as more deserving of safe access to the road than four, placing bicycles at the top of the list for all sorts of health, environmental and economic reasons.

Culture and attitude needs to change before legislation fuels further two-wheel versus four-wheel bickering.

[eye30]

 
Two that stand out are the compulsory use of headlights at all times and the compulsory wearing of a high visibility vest or jacket. 

Anything to improve safety is a good thing in my opinion

I wear a high vis vest when out in my push bike

[eye30]

Personally, I'm in favour of hi vis, but I object in principle to the govt legislating that I must wear particular clothes, just like I won't be told how hot my HWS water is allowed to be. 

Is the wearing of a helmet compulsory?

[Phil №❶]

 Not in my shower. 

Helmets are a protective device that function in the event of an impact. Hi vis vests are a clothing item, providing no more protection than ordinary clothes, during impact.

[TheReaper]

And a vest is a safety device to make sure you are seen. So you don't have to use your helmet

Like the other post, it comes down to, bicycle,  scooters, and motorcycle have not had much legislation against them and if even one thing is going to change, even if it makes perfect sensse and is sensible, all pro two wheelers will whinge.......

What's the main arguement for this? It looks dorky, and it won't fit over my leather jacket? So therefore it is better to be unsafe......

[Surferdude]

And a vest is a safety device to make sure you are seen. So you don't have to use your helmet

Like the other post, it comes down to, bicycle,  scooters, and motorcycle have not had much legislation against them and if even one thing is going to change, even if it makes perfect sensse and is sensible, all pro two wheelers will whinge.......

What's the main arguement for this? It looks dorky, and it won't fit over my leather jacket? So therefore it is better to be unsafe......

Absolutely spot on Reaps.

[Surferdude]

If only it was true, as has been pointed out in previous discussions, drivers still turn in front of motorcyclists.

That's a pretty weird call.
Of course they do, just as bike riders pull out in front of cars.
But the REAL question is, how many more drivers would turn in front of motorcyclists if they DIDN'T hav etheir headlight on?

[Surferdude]

I expected most on here would think that.....

So, are you saying most of us on here are dills?

[TheReaper]

  with surf

[rustynutz]

And a vest is a safety device to make sure you are seen. So you don't have to use your helmet

Like the other post, it comes down to, bicycle,  scooters, and motorcycle have not had much legislation against them and if even one thing is going to change, even if it makes perfect sensse and is sensible, all pro two wheelers will whinge.......

What's the main arguement for this? It looks dorky, and it won't fit over my leather jacket? So therefore it is better to be unsafe......

Spoken like a true car driver, Reaps....

Many cars also turn into the path of cars, what about legislating that all cars should have a fluoro panel on the sides and bonnet so others can see them...  I  bet that would have car owners up in arms! 

Dave, you believe motorcyclists get off light when it comes to legislation, how so?

I think you'll find that not too many motorcycle riders are against sensible legislation, trouble is, sensible legislation and Government doesn't necessarily go hand in hand.

For example, it was only a few years ago that they tried to introduce a law to stop motorcyclists lane splitting which failed miserably because it was so badly thought through.
If passed it would have made it illegal for a motorcyclist to pass a vehicle such as a rubbish truck doing a pickup in the same lane, requiring the motorcyclist to overtake completely in the oncoming lane while cars could freely pass it without having to cross into the other lane.

Our Safetycrats have told us for years how dangerous lane splitting is, in spite of it being legal in many other countries yet cyclists have been free to do it since forever...How can it be dangerous for motorcyclists yet deemed safe for cyclists?

Now to cap it all off the NSW government has made lane splitting legal with other States expected to follow....so much for it being dangerous! 

[rustynutz]

I expected most on here would think that.....

So, are you saying most of us on here are dills?

I'm not buying into that, Trev....but from what I see, most on here aren't particularly fond of motorcycles and will happily agree with any legislation, regardless of the possible consequences. Any good legislation like lane splitting that can benefit all road users is poo poo'd.

Everything seems to be so black and white....I just reckon some lateral thinking wouldn't go astray.... 

[rustynutz]

But the REAL question is, how many more drivers would turn in front of motorcyclists if they DIDN'T hav etheir headlight on?

Or the question could be...Could there possibly be less drivers turning in front of motorcycles or vise versa if people learnt to LOOK properly?

This is the sort of thing I'm talking about, everything is so black and white. You've assumed that having lights on during the day makes them easier to see. What are the down sides of having lights on? No one seems to be in the slightest bit interested in that.....

If drivers looked properly, there is no logical reason why they wouldn't be able see a motorcycle (or car) during the day without the need to have lights on.

[Surferdude]

But the REAL question is, how many more drivers would turn in front of motorcyclists if they DIDN'T hav etheir headlight on?

Or the question could be...Could there possibly be less drivers turning in front of motorcycles or vise versa if people learnt to LOOK properly?

This is the sort of thing I'm talking about, everything is so black and white. You've assumed that having lights on during the day makes them easier to see. What are the down sides of having lights on? No one seems to be in the slightest bit interested in that.....

If drivers looked properly, there is no logical reason why they wouldn't be able see a motorcycle (or car) during the day without the need to have lights on.

There is NO down side to having lights on all day.
A few extra bulb replacements? Meh.

[Surferdude]

Our Safetycrats have told us for years how dangerous lane splitting is, in spite of it being legal in many other countries yet cyclists have been free to do it since forever...How can it be dangerous for motorcyclists yet deemed safe for cyclists?

Perhaps the potential speeds of motorised cycles over pedal power might make a difference?