Re: DSA dictate what to wear on test
don't see any issue with the legislation. the more protected riders are when they come off, the less it'll cost in NHS bills patching them back together. The more it costs the more tax we pay..so for those political activists among us, you can't have it both ways :P
I think it's perfectly acceptible for them to require safe and protective clothing. no different to when you need protective clothing at work - do people kick up a fuss saying "i won't wear goggles while I weld, it's my human right not to?" no they don't...so why is it any different when riding a bike?
Re: DSA dictate what to wear on test
Quote:
Originally Posted by noisy_lightning
[quote author=Squashed_Fly link=1309193622/1#1 date=1309196038]That all sounds quite reasonable to be fair.
Lost count of how many times I've seen moped riders going round in shorts & flipflops in the hot weather...
Thats their choice, we are already enough of a nanny state without people telling me what I can and cant wear when I go to the shops. I know it wil hurt if I come off in shorts and a t-shirt, but its MY DAMN CHOICE![/quote]
If people are stupid enough to ride like that, then they obviously need to be told. If they were sensible of their own volition, it wouldn't need making law?
You forget, if you hit someone and come off, and smear your carcass all down the road, with skin & limbs coming off everywhere, it's not just you that that affects. It's pretty selfish to assume it's just all about you?
Re: DSA dictate what to wear on test
Hey Dabz, I know what you're saying. You have to remember that biking was perceived to be a cheap hobby/transport to work. What I'm saying is, you don't have to be wearing pukka bike gear to find a reasonable level of protection. And some folks can't afford it. It's an employers responsibility to clothe an employee, but an individuals responsibility on a bike. Ski gloves (if nothing else was available) was always considered better than nothing. Where is the definition between trainer and walking boot, for example? Asking a 17 year old to go and buy £500 of gear may be considered a bit over the top. We've always tried to recommend cheap alternatives, not necessarily bike gear. How many people ride in jeans? According to the DSA guidelines, it has to be heavy weight denim. Too many reasons for examiners to bail out of doing tests... >:(
Re: DSA dictate what to wear on test
[quote author=Mark_Able link=1309193622/9#9 date=1309204619]Yep, it's all true. Obviously I think anyone riding a bike should wear the suitable clothing. But I have two issues.
1. At the moment we all have freedom of choice as to what we wear when riding, with the exception of the helmet. As much as I hate to see anyone riding in the wrong sort of gear, it's their choice. Educate, not legislate. This could be the tip of the iceberg, where it becomes law that you have to wear motorcycle gear. When I first started riding as a poor teenager, I didn't have (couldn't afford) the proper gear, so wore whatever did the job reasonably well. We have enough laws putting folks off getting on a bike. We don't need anymore.
2. There will be certain examiner's who will take the new rules to the extreme, and bar some from taking their test, maybe because the boot doesn't quite cover enough ankle.
I'm sure there will be scope for legal action. If the law doesn't dictate motorcycle clothing, how can the DSA?
Just from my own point of view, I won't train anyone who doesn't take clothing seriously. I've sent people home who have turned up in hoodies and shorts. I've even had a lady turn up in skirt and stilletoes... ::)
No...It wasnt me lmao !!!!! ;D ;D ;D
Re: DSA dictate what to wear on test
Would've helped with the height issue though Tina... ;)
Re: DSA dictate what to wear on test
Mark, I may be wrong here, but do most training centres carry spare kit for people doing CBTs etc? I've done a few over the years, with 3 or 4 different centres, and they all had kit that we could use. This extended to the bike test also if required.
I was always told, if you can't afford safe kit, you can't afford to ride. You can get fully kitted up in George Whites for less than £100. I'll never forget my first CBT instructor telling me that as you slide down the road at 20mph, you lose the 1st layer of denim within 2 metres, then it's 1mm of skin/flesh for every extra metre you slide afterwards. That's a hell of a mess for other people to have to see and/or clear up.
I've ridden in jeans before, so I'm half playing devils advocate, but it's not something I do very often, and I have almost 12 years of riding experience. I certainly wouldn't recommend shorts & t-shirt to a 17 year old who is out for the first time on a 'ped, possibly trying to keep up with his/her mates etc.
IMO, it's a good lesson to teach at the start of someones motorcycle career, then when you have some experience, age & wisdom, you can perhaps take some minimal risks. Even when in jeans, I still have my leather jacket, and boots or very sturdy trainers on.
Re: DSA dictate what to wear on test
Incidentally, the DSA didn't even have the decency to inform most of the Training Bodies like ourselves. We only heard by word of mouth. DSA is a complete shambles, but that's another story... >:(
Re: DSA dictate what to wear on test
Yes SF, we do carry some kit. But boots of every size? Leather trousers to fit all? Gloves keep getting nicked as well... ::)
We should ask for donations of old kit really. Don't chuck old kit away, chuck it our way... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
Re: DSA dictate what to wear on test
Between gw's bargain basement and the infrequent lidl bike gear discounts it's not too expensive to get kitted up - I think I did my test in jeans and a leather jacket I was given, got gloves and boots from Phoenix!
I rode up to Tina and kev's this weekend in jeans, trainers and bike jacket and while it was lovely in the hot sun I was on edge the whole time! (for the whole half a mile!)
Re: DSA dictate what to wear on test
I agree with it with a bit more notice to schools and students and I sent people away when I was instructing for not wearing correct kit or refusing to wear loan kit (not many refused after I offered them to stick their hand on a grinder as that was daft but pointing out same as the road!) We had a donation of old kit from customers and would give it to trainees who were on a budget and would see the kit returned once they could afford better kit. I still give away kit now or sell cheaply when I replace kit.