For those of you who think that the recent panic about potential EU legislation affecting uis here in the UK is mere heresay and all a fuss about nothing, then maybe you need to bear the following in mind:-
"The Road Safety Authority in Ireland has confirmed that it intends to
make hi-viz clothing compulsory for all motorcyclists from 2014.
MAG(UK) requested confirmation earlier today after the Irish Road Safety Authority told a reporter that the RSA wanted voluntary wearing of high visibility jackets rather than compulsion.
Asked when the RSA had changed it's mind about mandatory wearing of high visibility upper body clothing with full sleeves for rider and pillion passenger, the Communications Manager at the RSA emailed MAG(UK) 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."
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. Surely, this shows that the key to road safety lies in getting 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 in Ireland, France or here in the UK.
So, don't forget Sunday 25th September, MAG is co-ordinating mass-protests against this and other threats to biking that are springing-up throughout Europe - let's get out their in convoys to raise awareness of bikes on the road and demonstrate our opposition to further restrictions on biking."
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