What color will it be necessary to wear? Should we change his equipment? Why only big cubes seem concerned? Here is an inventory of the obligation to ride with retro-reflective equipment from 2013. Good news in the lot: fluorescent allergic are spared.
The IRB’s implementing decree, issued yesterday, surprised motorcyclists, scooters … and equipment manufacturers. Indeed, it was suspected that the wearing of elements improving the visibility of motorized two-wheelers (2WD) would be made mandatory, but the announced surface is much talked about. While some agitate the spectrum of the yellow vest and that, the visibility of day leaves many doubts, it seems important to us to make a point on this measure and what it will imply.
Visibility on a motorcycle: It will be necessary to reflect
The Order of 3 January 2012 relating to retro-reflective equipment worn by all drivers or passengers of a motorcycle with a cylinder capacity greater than 125 cc or a vehicle of category L5e with a power greater than 15 kW [NOR: IOCS1134710A is clear enough:
Not later than 1 January 2013, all drivers or passengers of a motorcycle with a cylinder capacity exceeding 125 cc or a vehicle of category L5e with a power of more than 15 kW must wear a garment equipped with a retro reflective equipment, corresponding to either French standards or other standards guaranteeing an equivalent level of safety. This equipment, in one or more parts, must have a total surface area of at least 150 cm². If this equipment is not integrated into the garment from the beginning, it is superimposed on it by any means. The equipment should be worn on the upper body, with the exception of the helmet, from the belt to the shoulder line to be visible to other road users.
Motorcycle jacket with enough retro-reflective part for 2013It will not necessarily wear a yellow reflective vest. The equipment must be retro reflective (for night visibility), not fluorescent. We contacted Road Safety about this. According to what we announced in August 2011, the retro-reflective material will not necessarily be fluorescent yellow or white. If the standards EN 471 and EN 1150 (corresponding to the yellow vests required at night by bicycle) constitute a minimum, the standard EN 13356 is admissible.
However, this standard is much more interesting for those who do not wish to alter the aesthetics of their outfit. Indeed, it does not mention basic colors. A prismatic film, transparent, affixed to a color of your choice, provides the retro-reflective function. We can therefore consider finding jackets with more than 150 cm² of retro-reflective surface at night, which will remain black (or blue, red, etc.) the day. It will be the same for armbands that will use those whose jacket or jacket will not have enough surfaces.
When buying, the question will quickly arise: how do you know if the jacket meets the correct specifications? Manufacturers have a few months to upgrade their current range. If the jacket has enough retro-reflective surfaces, the manufacturer will be able to send to the dealers a certificate, to present in case of control. If not, we will probably find additional retro-reflective armbands. It remains to be seen how the manufacturers will react for future ranges, which will have to be sold all over the world, and not only in France. The choice of retractable elements, like what Axon offers, seems relevant, but it is not applicable on all types of jackets, especially leather jackets.
Nevertheless, the validity of this measure annoys many bikers, who quite rightly specify that the daytime wearing of this equipment is useless and that it is only a means to draw up easy tickets. If we cannot certify the second part, we must recognize that verbalization (€ 68 and 2 points less) should dissuade those who ride without a jacket, and who will be the first controlled. Regarding the limitation of displacement, since the 125 cm³ are not concerned, this is, according to our information, only a question of time. Some will remember that in 1973, when the wearing of the helmet was made mandatory.