New Clothing Laws (UK)

[UncleBigBad]

Was in local Halfrauds earlier today - chap in there was telling a customer that he was already breaking the law by riding in trainers, and that UK laws change later this year to "award" penalty points for every item of non-approved biking gear being worn.  This of course will seriously jeopardise the future of the twist & go riding, short and flipflop wearing youth of today.

Has anybody heard of this, and who will define "approved" riding gear ?

[snowy]

I think if this was the case we'd have heard about it from MCN / MAG etc etc! - WALOB!
Think the insurance companies would be the first to require this to lessen payout for personal injuries!
Common sense and budget should rule what each rider is prepared to equip themselves with, we're all aware - and guilty of that - not bureaucrats in government!
Think Halfords' are dishing out their usual high quality advice!   

[O.C.]

I'm inclined to agree with snowr0,  a quick search doesn't show anything to confirm the Halfords claims

[beegee]

In belgium we are obliged to wear pants and jacket with long sleeves, and gloves
Since a few years now
No tshirts or shorts permitted or biking without gloves
(But the chance for getting a fine is rather small until now)

[STX1300man]

Nope the law is changing in the way the riding gear can be described and tested.

You can still ride naked with a visorless helmet (ooo err missus) and be legal. If you wear a visor it must carry the approved mark/number.

http://www.fema-online.eu/website/index.php/2016/01/20/new-european-rules-for-motorcycle-gear/

[snowy]

Nope the law is changing in the way the riding gear can be described and tested.

You can still ride naked with a visorless helmet (ooo err missus) and be legal. If you wear a visor it must carry the approved mark/number.

http://www.fema-online.eu/website/index.php/2016/01/20/new-european-rules-for-motorcycle-gear/

So.......this is protecting the consumer that protective clothing is built to a standard, not that it hast to be worn.
No issues with that at all, knowing that something is "Fit for purpose".
So mankini, stadium "7" and flip flops can still be worn if preferred!   

[O.C.]

the mind boggles     

[PRD]

So.......this is protecting the consumer that protective clothing is built to a standard, not that it hast to be worn.
No issues with that at all, knowing that something is "Fit for purpose".
So mankini, stadium "7" and flip flops can still be worn if preferred!   

sounds good to me!

[STX1300man]

It does sound good as most kit sold now adheres to no standards. The CE markings generally just refer to the body armour and not the jacket /trousers they are in. There are CE versions of gloves/boots that cover the whole product but not many.

The bad news is that as this will be a big issue for the manufacturers they have been busy lobbying and part of the changes are some of the standards being down graded. Money still talks!   

[ChrisB]

Don't believe anything said by a Halfords employee, they are just a bunch of know nowts.

[Ant]

Who in their right mind would ride a high powered machine in trainers and shorts ?  Just asking for trouble, skin just does not heel well the older you get.

[PaulB]

On holiday in Greece last year I lost count of the riders I saw wearing literally nothing but shorts and flip flops. Usually with a lass on the back in just a bikini. No helmets. No protection at all.

And we're talking Fireblades here, not mopeds. And riding like idiots.

My flabber was quite literally ghasted.

Cheers

Paul B.

[davetherave]

Who in their right mind would ride a high powered machine in trainers and shorts ?  Just asking for trouble, skin just does not heel well the older you get.

(but) You must see plenty ride like that in the south of France ?  I have in the central regions, saw a couple on a FJR, he was wearing shorts and sandles, she was in a bikini and sandles (great body !!). Idiots. A pal of mine will ride in the summer in trainers, no gloves and ordinary jeans, now we are all adults capable of making our own decisions and I totally disagree with his, I put his risk adverse attitude down to the fact he uses chainsaws and hydraulic equipment at work.

Went into Hood jeans Saturday afternoon and after purchasing 2 pairs of kevlar (fully) lined and armoured jeans, we had a good chat about "safety" gear.   

[Rusty]

I'm sure if the UK vote to "Remain" we shall have plenty of new legislation coming our way ! It won't make any difference .. if you live somewhere hot and sunny all year round you're not going to go out and purchase a load of bike gear just because some arse in Brussels has said you have to !

[O.C.]

  and it would surely be very difficult to enforce,  mind you plod has nowt else to do.......eh Rusty old chap