Hi Viz clothing .... Opinions

[Rossendale Rider]

As Justin Haywood once said ...."and darker days are drawing near"

What's peoples opinions on Hi Viz jackets that look like police clothing?  We had a little discussion about this at the Lower Lode Inn meet and was undecided whether it constituted impersonating a police officer (unless you are one ).  I'm thinking about wearing one over my jacket that has the blue/white battenburg reflective strips but no 'police' markings (albeit it clearly is).  In the past, I've seen white pan europeans marked up with wannaby police officers and thought ...Knobs!

Being seen is one thing; being seen as a knob is another?

[Mogster]

I use the Hi Viz bib with the Blue and White striping and big lettering on the back that says 'POLITE' ...  not been pulled yet and the company that supplies them assures me that they have been examined and approved by the the MET plod.

[viper]

in my opinion dressing to look like the police is very sad, especially the jackets that say POLITE.

there is a guy round here who has the white pan with almost all the markings , the police outfit with the Polite jackets, even the pole on the rear of the bike with a purple light on it , he rides around intimidating other drivers. my bike cop police friend says he is well known but until the day he actually stops someone pretending to be the police , there is nothing they can legally do about it.

however , wearing a high viz for safety is each to their own, i have dark jackets that has the scotchbrite tape on the arms ect, im not a fan of a neon green jacket.

[viper]

I use the Hi Viz bib with the Blue and White striping and big lettering on the back that says 'POLITE' ...  not been pulled yet and the company that supplies them assures me that they have been examined and approved by the the MET plod.

why do you want people to think you are the police ?

[Lonewolf]

I wear the same POLITE top which Mogs wears, it says POLITE notice, Think Bike. http://think.direct.gov.uk/  its a variation of the Govenment inititiave to reduce statistics regarding KSI's These tops are perfectly legal, they are eye catching, impactive and effective in encouraging other motorists to be aware of your presence and hopefully drive/ride accordingly.
My bike does not look anything like a Police bike nor does it have any high viz markings suggesting that it may be. I dont ride in a manner which may intimidate others while wearing the top, I simply wear it because hopefully it will improve my odds of being seen.

Rusty mentioned only recently that he and many other civilian bike riders in London wear unmarked Police high viz style jackets to 'protect' themselves. I see no issue with this, each to their own. I personally dont care what others think I may or may not look like, for me it's about self preservation 100% . Regrettably in my former role I've been to incidents involving bikes and their riders which have even made paramedics puke in front of me at what they were looking at. Any opportunity to avoid that is a win, win situation in  my book.....

Now where's the ladder to climb off my soap box

[coman37]

Wholeheartedly agree with all the above, never thought I would advocate hi-viz bibs, but having done a Bikesafe course wearing one it is defo the way ahead. The instuctors said in the briefing that it would be your best days biking, no knobs pulling out in front, everyone giving way/room. Now if thats cos they think I'm a copper then let them, all I know is that it was like Moses parting the sea. I just dont want to be made to wear one !!

Coman

[viper]

well if you are wearing these polite jackets for reasons other than people thinking you are the police then fair enough. Im sure there are people who buy such tops to get a buzz or ego trip out of it, they are the ones who are sad, personally id just wear a normal high viz top  if it was a matter of visability. Wearing one in london is probably a must , remonds me of the ad with the biker and the flasking light sign above him, riding his scooter in london.
I dont do the dailiy commute thing on my bike, it just goes out a couple of times a month when the weather is good. im thinking twice tho about the colour of my new helemt, i always have black , maybe the white would be more sensible

[coman37]

well if you are wearing these polite jackets for reasons other than people thinking you are the police then fair enough. Im sure there are people who buy such tops to get a buzz or ego trip out of it, they are the ones who are sad, personally id just wear a normal high viz top  if it was a matter of visability. Wearing one in london is probably a must , remonds me of the ad with the biker and the flasking light sign above him, riding his scooter in london.
I dont do the dailiy commute thing on my bike, it just goes out a couple of times a month when the weather is good. im thinking twice tho about the colour of my new helemt, i always have black , maybe the white would be more sensible

Flip-up with boom mic ??

Coman

[Lonewolf]

I have a flip up but no boom mike. (Although I did used to have one).
Dave, (2kwacks) and I earlier this year, do we look like cops?

[Rossendale Rider]

Only if you have a doughnut to go with the coffee

[Mogster]

why do you want people to think you are the police ?

Well it makes it easier to pull over the Drivers who are using a mobile phone and tazer them till they wee themselves....  ... not that I have a Tazer  mind you 

[coman37]

I have a flip up but no boom mike. (Although I did used to have one).
Dave, (2kwacks) and I earlier this year, do we look like cops?

Which one is Cagney ??

Coman

[2kwacks]

I have a flip up but no boom mike. (Although I did used to have one).
Dave, (2kwacks) and I earlier this year, do we look like cops?

my own hi-vis dose not have blue and white markings, do use the blue and white markings hi-viz jackets as supplied but only when riding police bikes. hi-viz vest with blue and white markings with "POLITE" written on the back can be at a quick glance mistaken for "POLICE" but people see what they want to see.. and this tends to be when they have been riding or driving like a "KNOB" or have got something to hide! it's all in the mind.. "me thinks" ho! providing it dose not say "POLICE" then can't see the arm

[Lonewolf]

By the way Dave is the small chap on the left....

[tommytool]

Here's my tuppence worth. For 4 years I've been commuting the A303 (plus 50 miles each end) on Friday and Sunday's. Most of that on a tiger. I've got HG Tuareg goretex for summer and HG voyager goretex IN HIVIS for winter. Also have white and metallic grey multitecs with boom mikes.

I can say 100% that the HIVIS gear plus the white lid gets me seen more (or gets drivers to drop the phone, check their speed or correct whatever the dumb thing their doing as I go  past). In that half second of "is he or isn't he" time,  I'm out of danger and making progress. I usually go by slowly at wide berth shaking my head despairingly. The effect is more pronounced now I have the GTR!

These dumbass drivers on their mobiles can't multitask at best so working out whether you're the old bill or not as you sweep by is beyond them. The POLITE jackets are great but not for me - at least not until I've got my white 1200RT !

The standard Tuareg gear just doesn't get the same response except from the usual courteous drivers who I always thank.