Is it a legal requirement for motor cycles to have their headlight on 24/7? If not it should be.
Dougwe said
12:44 PM Dec 24, 2021
The bright safety vests to be worn as well. On push bikes too. So many of both have dark tops on.
gdayjr said
01:20 PM Dec 24, 2021
Motorcycle headlights for daylight use are not compulsary on all bikes.
It depends on the year of the bike.
It is certainly an A.D.R rule now that they have them on.
-- Edited by gdayjr on Friday 24th of December 2021 01:22:23 PM
dogbox said
01:59 PM Dec 24, 2021
i think that bike riders should be aware of were they are and what they are doing ,they should be responsible for themselves and not rely on others for their safety . in a lot of cases they are the ones that are placing them selves in bad places ,travelling quicker than than the flow and not wearing high vis clothing.
i must confess i did travel AUST on bike
Aussie1 said
02:30 PM Dec 24, 2021
dogbox wrote:
i think that bike riders should be aware of were they are and what they are doing ,they should be responsible for themselves and not rely on others for their safety . in a lot of cases they are the ones that are placing them selves in bad places ,travelling quicker than than the flow and not wearing high vis clothing. i must confess i did travel AUST on bike
My view is that all vehicle drivers and motorcycle riders have a responsibility to look out for each other. Not that difficult. Just a matter of showing some tolerance. All drivers and motorcycle riders can make a mistake occasionally.
-- Edited by Aussie1 on Friday 24th of December 2021 02:33:10 PM
Izabarack said
05:53 PM Dec 24, 2021
My experience is that many car drivers are on the lookout for cars and motor bikes are just not seen. I have lost count of the number of times a car has simply pulled out in front of me when Im riding my bike. Hi vis clothing and headlight on dose not seem to make a difference. Women drivers around school time also seem to be the worst offenders. I have put a dint in many a drivers side door while under heavy breaking. Standard comment has been I did not see you. My helmet version of the ubiquitous Dash Cam has been of use when these fools try to argue that the problem has been caused by me.
yobarr said
06:15 PM Dec 24, 2021
Izabarack wrote:
My experience is that many car drivers are on the lookout for cars and motor bikes are just not seen. I have lost count of the number of times a car has simply pulled out in front of me when Im riding my bike. Hi vis clothing and headlight on dose not seem to make a difference. Women drivers around school time also seem to be the worst offenders. I have put a dint in many a drivers side door while under heavy breaking. Standard comment has been I did not see you. My helmet version of the ubiquitous Dash Cam has been of use when these fools try to argue that the problem has been caused by me.
You beat me to it,Iza,as my thoughts are the same as yours.Many times I have had cars pull out in front of me from Give Way and Stop signs,with several near misses.As has been your experience,the drivers invariably will try to blame me,with such rubbish as "But you had your indicator on" or "you were speeding" or some such crap.On a bike you have to think for other drivers as well as for yourself.Often I wonder how do some Asian drivers get a driver's licence when they can't even speak English? Cheers
Aussie1 said
10:05 PM Dec 24, 2021
yobarr wrote:
Izabarack wrote:
My experience is that many car drivers are on the lookout for cars and motor bikes are just not seen. I have lost count of the number of times a car has simply pulled out in front of me when Im riding my bike. Hi vis clothing and headlight on dose not seem to make a difference. Women drivers around school time also seem to be the worst offenders. I have put a dint in many a drivers side door while under heavy breaking. Standard comment has been I did not see you. My helmet version of the ubiquitous Dash Cam has been of use when these fools try to argue that the problem has been caused by me.
You beat me to it,Iza,as my thoughts are the same as yours.Many times I have had cars pull out in front of me from Give Way and Stop signs,with several near misses.As has been your experience,the drivers invariably will try to blame me,with such rubbish as "But you had your indicator on" or "you were speeding" or some such crap.On a bike you have to think for other drivers as well as for yourself.Often I wonder how do some Asian drivers get a driver's licence when they can't even speak English? Cheers
Left yourself open to those that like to play the racist card on that post Cobber But I do agree with you
erad said
08:21 AM Dec 25, 2021
More than forty years ago, I used to ride my bicycle a lot around where I live (Cooma). The roads were not particularly wide, but the traffic was light. One day, I was riding on a road out to Lake Eucumbene. I was wearing a pale lemon coloured shirt. I had 2 cars come dangerously close to me on that ride. The next day, I was doing the same ride, but wearing a bright red shirt. Despite heavier traffic that day, no-one came close to me. The light bulb suddenly came on - I was a lot more visible. Thereafter, I made a point of wearing clothing which was as bright as possible. The principle is "I am here - don't hit me".
One important point though - a small percentage of the population is colour blind, and they may not see red as clearly as most people, so if you are exposing yourself to potential risk, don't rely on softer colours - go as bright and flashy as you can.
Nowadays, there is so much high vis clothing available you would be stupid not to use it, yet I still see cyclists and motor cyclists wearing black outfits. Yes - they look smart, but not so good when smeared with blood and guts. It matters not if the car hits the cyclist or the cyclist hits the car - the result is still the same. Only lawyers win out of such instances. Even though I was wearing a bright orange shirt one day, a car pulled out in front of me from a side street - the driver was even looking at me but simply didn't see me, so Hi Vis clothing is not 100% protection from stupidity, but it certainly helps. Sadly a cyclist/motor cyclist has to always be looking for an escape route. I survived riding a bicycle over 1000 km in Central Java, but had to use escape routes a few times as well. Cyclists are very low on the pecking order over there.
Buzz Lightbulb said
08:59 AM Dec 25, 2021
A long time ago whilst riding home from school on my agricultural bike (the type postmen ride) a woman, not Asian, was driving in the opposite direction. She turned straight in front of me despite me having my light on with bright clothes. I ended up on her bonnet with a broken leg, broken ankle and two brakes in my wrist. One quickly learns to ride as if EVERYONE is out to kill you.
One reason why motorcyclists ride faster than car drivers is because they can more easily see the threats coming from in front of them.
After many discussions with other motorcyclists we believe that everyone should have to ride a push bike for a year and then a motorcycle for a year before they are allowed to drive a car. Many, many car drivers do not see bike riders. They have a blind spot for things that don't threaten them.
peter67 said
09:16 AM Dec 25, 2021
Izabarack wrote:
My experience is that many car drivers are on the lookout for cars and motor bikes are just not seen. I have lost count of the number of times a car has simply pulled out in front of me when Im riding my bike. Hi vis clothing and headlight on dose not seem to make a difference. Women drivers around school time also seem to be the worst offenders. I have put a dint in many a drivers side door while under heavy breaking. Standard comment has been I did not see you. My helmet version of the ubiquitous Dash Cam has been of use when these fools try to argue that the problem has been caused by me.
+1
dorian said
09:49 AM Dec 25, 2021
I've lived in several Asian countries and I can say that Asian drivers in general have scant regard for road rules. That's a cultural thing -- Asian city life is a rat race. That said, there are a lot more bike riders in Asia, so I would think that Asian drivers would be more aware of them than are western drivers.
Mamil said
12:24 PM Dec 25, 2021
Some years ago I read an article by an ex-RAF fighter pilot which explains what's going on when a motorist fails to see a motorcycle/bicycle, and I'll give you a hint - it's not just inattention or bloody mindedness.
The article makes VERY interesting so I saved it for future reference....
From the age of 15 years, 364 days when I obtained my first driving licence I learnt to drive on a motorcycle and I am quite sure it taught me much about self survival on the roads. I certainly leaned the skills of acute observation and that of taking action very early in the process when things looked a little unusual. Critically, I also learnt that it didn't matter a toss if I was legally totally in the right and the other bloke totally in the wrong, it was going to be *me* who got hurt.
I suspect youngsters who learn to drive in a car feel, at least for a while, insulated from the concept of danger and bodily harm.
dieseltojo said
08:27 AM Dec 26, 2021
Yep if it was bloody mindedness folks wouldn't hit the low bridges with all bright colours and lit up signs....Inattention on the other hand is a problem. I see folks getting aggressive toward bikes that filter and come to the front of the lines of cars.
It is what we were always told to do. A bike takes of quicker and is out of the way in front of traffic.
Magnarc said
08:43 AM Dec 26, 2021
Mamil I have just read that article from beginning to end. Brilliant! Have driven vehicles from scooters through to trucks and buses in my life but there were points in there that I knew nothing about, in fact, I am amazed that I have got this far without a serious accident.
This fellow makes a lot of sense and I heartily recommend it to all forum users
Many thanks Mamil for such an enlightening article.
-- Edited by Magnarc on Sunday 26th of December 2021 08:46:18 AM
-- Edited by Magnarc on Sunday 26th of December 2021 08:47:33 AM
Mamil said
11:22 AM Dec 26, 2021
Magnarc wrote:
Mamil I have just read that article from beginning to end. Brilliant! Have driven vehicles from scooters through to trucks and buses in my life but there were points in there that I knew nothing about, in fact, I am amazed that I have got this far without a serious accident.
This fellow makes a lot of sense and I heartily recommend it to all forum users
Many thanks Mamil for such an enlightening article.
Yes, it's a real eye opener - if you'll excuse the pun
It was doing the rounds of the cycling community about ten years ago, but is just as relevant now as then.
I've had a couple of those "I just didn't see them" moments just recently which thankfully only resulted in near misses rather than something more serious. So, I'm glad this thread reminded me to dig out that article and read it again, because although I'll never be a fighter pilot, his advice becomes even more pertinent as one gets older and eyesight deteriorates and reactions slow!
Craig1 said
01:46 PM Dec 26, 2021
A good read Mamil, I had a little practice this morning. Only need to remember now.
Mike Harding said
02:04 PM Dec 26, 2021
As mentioned in Mamil's article roof pillars can be an issue; the two front ones in my Holden Trailblazer are huge and, at junctions, I make a point of moving my head in order to look around both sides of them.
I believe they are so big in order to comply with ADRs which require the roof to support the vehicle in the event of an accident, a laudable safety feature one may think but I wonder how many people they have killed? We'll never know.
Derek Barnes said
08:29 PM Dec 26, 2021
I agree with previous writers that the pillars can be a big problem when trying to see other road users such as cars, bicycles, motorcycles, pedestrians. Since I can no longer see properly my partner is the driver and I am the navigator. There have been many instances when I have seen a car coming up to a roundabout where my partner has completely missed the fact that there is a car there at all because it has been hidden behind the front pillar the whole time. This has also happened with bicycles and pedestrians. This is one area that could benefit from some technology such as a display wrapped around the pillar showing what's behind it to the driver.
One problem I have with the whole discussion on who is responsible for looking out for others is that it is usually the car driver who is asked to take responsibility. Who hasn't seen the idiotic government TV ads which indicate that trucks have no idea what is in front, behind or to the sides of them, and therefore it is somehow your responsibility to know when a truck is going to change lanes into you, etc. I personally think that if trucks have no idea what's around them they should get cameras on all sides to show them what is around them. Again who hasn't seen the government TV ads which indicate that it is the car driver's responsibility to look out for bicycles and motorcycles no matter what they do on the roads.
I have seen bicycles and motorcycles do some completely idiotic things on the roads such as speeding between parallel cars going 100 on the freeway, wandering between cars starting off at lights which have changed to green, etc.
I think it is every road user's responsibility to look out for all other traffic and to drive to the road rules so others can gauge where you are going to be on the road in the future. I also think all road users could do with some extra tech to overcome blind spots in trucks and cars.
Aus-Kiwi said
09:15 PM Dec 26, 2021
I think drivers should drive trucks and bikes on our roads for a while !! Bikes must be aware of the blind spots also !!!
Sarco Harris said
10:02 PM Dec 27, 2021
I have been and still am and active motorcyclist since I was 17 years and 9 months old (at the time the legal requirements for starting to learn to ride a motorcycle). I am now 66 YO. I have also qualified as a motorcycle defensive riding instructor and have instructed on numerous courses in QLD, Vic and NSW.
I have a few simple comments to make:
Motorcyclists - please ride like everyone else (including other motorcyclists) are trying to kill you, because they often unwittingly, probably are.
Other road users (including motorcyclists) have a responsibility to all other road users for their own and others safety. Drive/ride accordingly.
Hi Viz is the new black. Look around there is so much Hi Viz about now that it (like high mount brake lights) it is no longer necessarily noticed.
Headlights on, Day time running lights etc. on motorcycles are in theory a good idea. However now so many vehicles on our roads have DRL and auto headlights, similarly with Hi Viz and high mount brake lights they are not necessarily seen/identified.
Current motorcycle training systems are in place for a reason and over time new motorcyclists are most probably going to be far better trained and have better skills than we had, because simply we had no professional/quality training. Look at the current licencing requirements. While they vary state to state, I would think that most these days in their various work places would recognise and be familiar with the principles of competency based training.
In Vic, unlike other states, motorcyclist pay a "Motorcycle Safety Levy" of (currently approx) $74 dollars on their rego (linked through TAC) that IS NOT paid by any other road user in Vic. The money which is raised through the levy, while supposedly used for specific motorcyclist safety matters, I would think, actually probably bring benefits to ALL other road users.
Is it a legal requirement for motor cycles to have their headlight on 24/7? If not it should be.
Motorcycle headlights for daylight use are not compulsary on all bikes.
It depends on the year of the bike.
It is certainly an A.D.R rule now that they have them on.
-- Edited by gdayjr on Friday 24th of December 2021 01:22:23 PM
i must confess i did travel AUST on bike
My view is that all vehicle drivers and motorcycle riders have a responsibility to look out for each other. Not that difficult. Just a matter of showing some tolerance. All drivers and motorcycle riders can make a mistake occasionally.
-- Edited by Aussie1 on Friday 24th of December 2021 02:33:10 PM
You beat me to it,Iza,as my thoughts are the same as yours.Many times I have had cars pull out in front of me from Give Way and Stop signs,with several near misses.As has been your experience,the drivers invariably will try to blame me,with such rubbish as "But you had your indicator on" or "you were speeding" or some such crap.On a bike you have to think for other drivers as well as for yourself.Often I wonder how do some Asian drivers get a driver's licence when they can't even speak English? Cheers
Left yourself open to those that like to play the racist card on that post Cobber
But I do agree with you 
One important point though - a small percentage of the population is colour blind, and they may not see red as clearly as most people, so if you are exposing yourself to potential risk, don't rely on softer colours - go as bright and flashy as you can.
Nowadays, there is so much high vis clothing available you would be stupid not to use it, yet I still see cyclists and motor cyclists wearing black outfits. Yes - they look smart, but not so good when smeared with blood and guts. It matters not if the car hits the cyclist or the cyclist hits the car - the result is still the same. Only lawyers win out of such instances. Even though I was wearing a bright orange shirt one day, a car pulled out in front of me from a side street - the driver was even looking at me but simply didn't see me, so Hi Vis clothing is not 100% protection from stupidity, but it certainly helps. Sadly a cyclist/motor cyclist has to always be looking for an escape route. I survived riding a bicycle over 1000 km in Central Java, but had to use escape routes a few times as well. Cyclists are very low on the pecking order over there.
A long time ago whilst riding home from school on my agricultural bike (the type postmen ride) a woman, not Asian, was driving in the opposite direction. She turned straight in front of me despite me having my light on with bright clothes. I ended up on her bonnet with a broken leg, broken ankle and two brakes in my wrist. One quickly learns to ride as if EVERYONE is out to kill you.
One reason why motorcyclists ride faster than car drivers is because they can more easily see the threats coming from in front of them.
After many discussions with other motorcyclists we believe that everyone should have to ride a push bike for a year and then a motorcycle for a year before they are allowed to drive a car. Many, many car drivers do not see bike riders. They have a blind spot for things that don't threaten them.
+1
Some years ago I read an article by an ex-RAF fighter pilot which explains what's going on when a motorist fails to see a motorcycle/bicycle, and I'll give you a hint - it's not just inattention or bloody mindedness.
The article makes VERY interesting so I saved it for future reference....
From the age of 15 years, 364 days when I obtained my first driving licence I learnt to drive on a motorcycle and I am quite sure it taught me much about self survival on the roads. I certainly leaned the skills of acute observation and that of taking action very early in the process when things looked a little unusual. Critically, I also learnt that it didn't matter a toss if I was legally totally in the right and the other bloke totally in the wrong, it was going to be *me* who got hurt.
I suspect youngsters who learn to drive in a car feel, at least for a while, insulated from the concept of danger and bodily harm.
Yep if it was bloody mindedness folks wouldn't hit the low bridges with all bright colours and lit up signs....Inattention on the other hand is a problem. I see folks getting aggressive toward bikes that filter and come to the front of the lines of cars.
It is what we were always told to do. A bike takes of quicker and is out of the way in front of traffic.
Mamil I have just read that article from beginning to end. Brilliant! Have driven vehicles from scooters through to trucks and buses in my life but there were points in there that I knew nothing about, in fact, I am amazed that I have got this far without a serious accident.
This fellow makes a lot of sense and I heartily recommend it to all forum users
Many thanks Mamil for such an enlightening article.
-- Edited by Magnarc on Sunday 26th of December 2021 08:46:18 AM
-- Edited by Magnarc on Sunday 26th of December 2021 08:47:33 AM
Yes, it's a real eye opener - if you'll excuse the pun
It was doing the rounds of the cycling community about ten years ago, but is just as relevant now as then.
I've had a couple of those "I just didn't see them" moments just recently which thankfully only resulted in near misses rather than something more serious. So, I'm glad this thread reminded me to dig out that article and read it again, because although I'll never be a fighter pilot, his advice becomes even more pertinent as one gets older and eyesight deteriorates and reactions slow!
As mentioned in Mamil's article roof pillars can be an issue; the two front ones in my Holden Trailblazer are huge and, at junctions, I make a point of moving my head in order to look around both sides of them.
I believe they are so big in order to comply with ADRs which require the roof to support the vehicle in the event of an accident, a laudable safety feature one may think but I wonder how many people they have killed? We'll never know.
I agree with previous writers that the pillars can be a big problem when trying to see other road users such as cars, bicycles, motorcycles, pedestrians. Since I can no longer see properly my partner is the driver and I am the navigator. There have been many instances when I have seen a car coming up to a roundabout where my partner has completely missed the fact that there is a car there at all because it has been hidden behind the front pillar the whole time. This has also happened with bicycles and pedestrians. This is one area that could benefit from some technology such as a display wrapped around the pillar showing what's behind it to the driver.
One problem I have with the whole discussion on who is responsible for looking out for others is that it is usually the car driver who is asked to take responsibility. Who hasn't seen the idiotic government TV ads which indicate that trucks have no idea what is in front, behind or to the sides of them, and therefore it is somehow your responsibility to know when a truck is going to change lanes into you, etc. I personally think that if trucks have no idea what's around them they should get cameras on all sides to show them what is around them. Again who hasn't seen the government TV ads which indicate that it is the car driver's responsibility to look out for bicycles and motorcycles no matter what they do on the roads.
I have seen bicycles and motorcycles do some completely idiotic things on the roads such as speeding between parallel cars going 100 on the freeway, wandering between cars starting off at lights which have changed to green, etc.
I think it is every road user's responsibility to look out for all other traffic and to drive to the road rules so others can gauge where you are going to be on the road in the future. I also think all road users could do with some extra tech to overcome blind spots in trucks and cars.
I have a few simple comments to make:
Motorcyclists - please ride like everyone else (including other motorcyclists) are trying to kill you, because they often unwittingly, probably are.
Other road users (including motorcyclists) have a responsibility to all other road users for their own and others safety. Drive/ride accordingly.
Hi Viz is the new black. Look around there is so much Hi Viz about now that it (like high mount brake lights) it is no longer necessarily noticed.
Headlights on, Day time running lights etc. on motorcycles are in theory a good idea. However now so many vehicles on our roads have DRL and auto headlights, similarly with Hi Viz and high mount brake lights they are not necessarily seen/identified.
Current motorcycle training systems are in place for a reason and over time new motorcyclists are most probably going to be far better trained and have better skills than we had, because simply we had no professional/quality training. Look at the current licencing requirements. While they vary state to state, I would think that most these days in their various work places would recognise and be familiar with the principles of competency based training.
In Vic, unlike other states, motorcyclist pay a "Motorcycle Safety Levy" of (currently approx) $74 dollars on their rego (linked through TAC) that IS NOT paid by any other road user in Vic. The money which is raised through the levy, while supposedly used for specific motorcyclist safety matters, I would think, actually probably bring benefits to ALL other road users.
Sarco