A few bikers I have spoken to with regards Hi-Viz have said "they will never bring it in".
FYI
PRESS RELEASE
Riders protest as Irish authorities confirm determination to mandate
hi-viz clothing for bikers
The Road Safety Authority in Ireland has confirmed that it intends to
make hi-viz clothing compulsory for all motorcyclists from 2014.
The Motorcycle Action Group (UK) requested confirmation earlier today
after the RSA told a reporter on Belfast newspaper 'News Letter';
"...at present the RSA's preference is for the voluntary wearing of high
visibility jackets rather than compulsion."
This contradicted the RSA's position in the National Motorcycle Safety
Action Plan 2010-14 which proposes the introduction of regulations for
the mandatory wearing of high visibility upper body clothing with full
sleeves for ride and pillion passenger.
Brian Farrell, Communications Manager at the Road Safety Authority,
emailed MAG(UK) in response to a request for clarification, saying;
"I can confirm that the RSA has not dropped the position outlined in the
Motorcycle Action plan. We do intend to seek to introduce the measure in
2014, subject to consultation with motorcyclists and industry on the
most appropriate type of hi-viz material and possible solutions."
MAG(UK)'s General Secretary Nich Brown said;
"too many riders have been unwilling to believe they will be forced to
wear day-glo clothing in the near future. Until now the RSA has
soft-pedalled its determination to legislate, but now there is no doubt
that the authorities are serious.
Recent research shows drivers who also ride motorcycles watch-out for
bikes and are far less likely to collide with them. Commenting, Nich
Brown said;
"there are too many collisions between road users of all kinds, the key
is to get everyone to look out for each other and to think about who
they share the road with. Forced day-glo will simply marginalise riders
and let unobservant drivers off the hook. Such a lazy approach to road
safety does not deserve to succeed."
MAG(UK) has organised a co-ordinated protest against proposals for
compulsory hi-viz, restrictions on the ability to modify motorcycles to
suit their riders, bans on older bikes in cities, and a raft of other
measures that will affect biking throughout Europe.
Riders will be gathering at 1pm on Sunday 25th September, starting from
more than 100 locations on trunk roads throughout the British Isles they
will be riding in convoys to raise awareness of their presence on the
road and to demonstrate their opposition to further restrictions on biking.
ENDS
