Alright, I’ve been quiet lately and some people who know me would say that that’s a good thing! But I have to share this story with you.
I had the misfortune to be driving down the M1 this afternoon around 4.30ish in reasonably heavy traffic. It’s something I don’t do very often. I heard a bike coming up behind me and next thing he was down the right side of me, dived across 2 lanes to pass a few more cars and then kept going. Now you’re thinking “So - it happens all the time!”
Well, what really caught my attention was the t-shirt that was flapping around half way up his back! It went well with the pair of shorts he was wearing.
… what really caught my attention was the t-shirt that was flapping around half way up his back!
It got me thinking. I know there’s no law against what he was doing (well, the clothing I mean - the rest was questionable), and since he was wearing a helmet I think he satisifies all the current laws regarding what we have to wear when we ride a bike. Am I right?
And I also know it’s been said that you can’t legislate against stupidity. But can we EDUCATE against stupidity?
There have been some really good campaigns, especially in other states, on protective clothing. But here in Queensland we see it so often that someone is out on the bike with bugger all on. I’d hate to think how long that t-shirt would last in a crash. Maybe it’s because riders don’t understand the risks or even don’t get educated on what they should be wearing to protect themselves in the case of a crash. I know, I know - we never plan to have one, a crash I mean.
So, end of rant. I just wonder what we can do?
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Can we really do anything? It was only a few months ago that the state govt mailed out info on safety gear. It’s obvious that the rider will be in major trouble if they come off wearing just a T shirt. But so many do - I see this every day.
In a lot of ways it comes down to wont-happen-to-me syndrome. Many people still don’t wear their seatbelts and drink and drive.
Sad, and stupid. My mates and I always wear our safety gear. But I guess we’re a bit smarter than the t-shirt wearing crowd.
Comment by jamesk — Oct 7 @ 9:55 pmIt could possibly be that the rider is making a statement “look at me I do not need those silly safety rules that only apply at work” or “I am in charge of my own life and have medical insurance” which is fine until that day when (of course it won’t be your fault) that it happens and down you go and that expensive “T” shirt is shredded from your body and replaced by burns and body sculpting. Still no problem I will buy a new T-shirt as soon as I get out of hospital and find a new job, as I was off work for awhile. So you see I have it covered and I know what I am doing so leave me alone to ride with the wind I will be fine I know it won’t happen to me and you will be ok because you choose to wear protective clothing.
Comment by Nigel — Oct 9 @ 2:42 amI wouldn’t want to be him when the nurse is scrubbing gravel out, that’s all I can say. It is in my terms of hire that safety gear must be worn and I supply safety gear but people still don’t wear it when they hire a Spyder http://www.spyderryder.com.au yes it has 3 wheels and the electronics but there are still other people on the roads.
Comment by spyderryderaus — Nov 16 @ 9:44 am