Category: reflective armband

Road Safety: Update on retro-reflective elements

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.

 

Road Safety: cuff Bond, not neon

A few weeks after the IRB, things become clearer for motorcyclists and scooter riders. No reflective vest to wear, no not fluorescent, but … a cuff on each arm.

 

Updated November 27, 2012: The NSRF suspend the obligation of the compulsory wearing of the Standing Reflective motorcycle and scooter.

Updated January 5, 2012: A point on the legislation of retro reflective elements in motorcycle and scooter.

 

Updated January 4, 2012: The text appeared and brings many details.

Of the 18 measures of the last IRB, one caused a stir: “motorcycle and tricycle drivers should wear retro reflective equipment.” Many have wanted to see the requirement to wear a fluorescent yellow vest. It is true that, as we indicated then, the wording was vague. A few days later, it was more a question of wearing a device equipped with retro-reflective elements on a few square centimeters, without specifying the exact size. Today, the discourse has changed, and everything will go through a “simple” cuff.

 

Visibility: Armbands for all and all the time

The information came from RTL and was relayed by our colleagues from Moto-Info: then conjured an armband. Here are some details about it.

The device in question must be retro reflective and visible from the front, back, and from both sides. It will therefore wear an armband with reflective material on the left, but also right! However, this strap need not necessarily be fluorescent, but only Reflective; phobic of “yellow construction” will be relieved. And as some black textiles can be retro-reflective, if a manufacturer decides to release a cuff meets the standards coming in remaining sober daylight, his fortune is assured. We expect of course the publication of the decrees, but according to our information, armlets worn must measure 3 centimeters in width, be retro reflective over their entire surface and surround the arms. To our knowledge, as the jackets are not equipped, it leaves the choice between elastic armbands and RIBs. In all cases, care should be taken not to lose them when removing his jacket.

 

Some will be skeptical about the usefulness of the device, including its mandatory day when a retro reflective element proves effective at night only. Anyway, when the text will come into force, do not wear the armbands should be punished with 2 points less (68 €). But before you rush to fit you, expect the standard to be clearly established, because there is a safe bet that some unscrupulous will ride the “fear of the fine” to propose in advance armbands sold to vile prices and that may well not protect you from Law Enforcement.

 

We contacted the manufacturers, which have indicated that they will soon offer these reflective armbands in their catalogs, the time for them to adapt their ranges. And if some had taken the lead with removable armband jackets, this innovation involved only the left arm, which will in any way insufficient in the eyes of the law.

Will there be the same outcry (and helmets) against these armbands as against the first decisions of the IRB? To be continued…

Road safety: yellow jacket, it is now

This is the implementation of Decree No 2015-514 of May 7, 2015 concerning the detention and harbor of the high visibility vest. It has long been subject to wear a yellow vest for motorcyclists. A measure caused a scandal and had been abandoned. But it’s failing to admit defeat, the government returned to the charge, but in a different way. Like motorists must have a yellow vest in their vehicles since January 1, bikers will also have the device on them in the event of an asset.

 

And it is partly because of these various turnovers that many users are still lost on the final implementation of this decree. So make it a point to what lies ahead.

 

So yes, from 1 January 2016, the presence of the yellow  reflective vest on a motorcycle is mandatory. It must be under the seat or in his jacket to make it handy in case of emergency stop. In case of control, the non-presence of the device will cost 11 Euros fine and in case of breakdown at the roadside, if you do not wear it, the bill will rise to 135 euro fine. In the end, it’s a simple alignment in the car… The triangle less.

 

Under no circumstances wear the wheelchair is required, as is the requirement to have a second for the passenger. Always in line with the car, one vest with CE enough to be legal (excluding common sense would dictate that we have in a second). However, wearing the reflective armband, which had been mentioned at the time, is not allowed.

 

The majority of bikers are not excited about the introduction of this device. For many, they see this decree as an open door to a requirement to wear it permanently (just like the technical inspection) but also the lack of space on the bike makes a fuss.