Happytime6210
Member
I was just wondering what people's views were on Hi-Viz clothing? And if there were any rules and regulations on what you had to wear? x
Hi-Viz clothing?
- Thread starter Happytime6210
- Start date
AmyMay
Situation normal
This weeks H&H had an interesting piece on this.
It would seem that there are no rules and regulations (which I think we all knew), and this even extends to your insurance. However, if you were to ride out in poor visability and did not make every effort to be seen by perhaps wearing HiViz, then you could be found to be negligent.
I've battled with the whole HiViz thing for quite some time. Feeling that I shouldn't have to wear it to encourage vehicles to slow down for me. However, I do accept that the tendnacy for most riders to wear dark clothing, and for many not to have much road sense can lead to accidents. So I have given in and now usually wear a tabard if the weather conditions or time of day require.
I also have a lovely bright yellow Musto riding coat for the winter.
It would seem that there are no rules and regulations (which I think we all knew), and this even extends to your insurance. However, if you were to ride out in poor visability and did not make every effort to be seen by perhaps wearing HiViz, then you could be found to be negligent.
I've battled with the whole HiViz thing for quite some time. Feeling that I shouldn't have to wear it to encourage vehicles to slow down for me. However, I do accept that the tendnacy for most riders to wear dark clothing, and for many not to have much road sense can lead to accidents. So I have given in and now usually wear a tabard if the weather conditions or time of day require.
I also have a lovely bright yellow Musto riding coat for the winter.
Baileyhoss
Well-Known Member
Absolutely essential for road work. Don't know re' rules etc, I think it's only a hat that is against the law not to wear.
Mine has 'pass wide & slow on the back' and it works! some drivers really do need it spelt out.
What tarts me off, is that I can't find a hv vest with this print, with zipy pockets, so I can wear a tshirt under it in the summer and not have to stuff my phone down my drawers!
F x
Mine has 'pass wide & slow on the back' and it works! some drivers really do need it spelt out.
What tarts me off, is that I can't find a hv vest with this print, with zipy pockets, so I can wear a tshirt under it in the summer and not have to stuff my phone down my drawers!
F x
dwi
Well-Known Member
if you do a search on this site there have been several posts recently where people have posted pictures of riders not in hi viz to show how difficult they can be to see even in normal conditions.
BHS research shows that drivers see you an average of 2secs earlier wearing hi viz even in normal conditions. If they are doing 60mph down a country lane think about how far that is to travel.
My personal opinion is that it shows drivers you have thought about road safety and aware of the potential for a problem so you are showing them respect and asking them to do the same for you
BHS research shows that drivers see you an average of 2secs earlier wearing hi viz even in normal conditions. If they are doing 60mph down a country lane think about how far that is to travel.
My personal opinion is that it shows drivers you have thought about road safety and aware of the potential for a problem so you are showing them respect and asking them to do the same for you
leo_04
Well-Known Member
I never used to wear hi-viz until I moved to my current yard which you have to hack directly onto a 60mph road, when I moved there my horse was only 3 years old. He is now 4 and hacks happily down the road but I always wear my tabard with 'Caution Young Horse'. Although I have recently been told that if I was involved in an accident my tabards as good as accepts liability as it basically says 'not traffic proof!!!' I wonder why the hi-viz companies print this on their clothing? I shall be getting a plain 1 very soon.
amzy
Well-Known Member
I don't think there are any rules as such but it makes sense to wear as much as you can so motorists etc can spot you a lot quicker than if you're not wearing any, possibly avoiding any accidents. You could also kit your horse out in hi-viz too which is even better.
I was stopped a couple of years ago by a friendly motorist who told me that she didn't notice me or my horse when I was riding under some trees next to the road on a sunny day (and my horse is black) and she only just avoided me
So now I never go out without our high-viz.
I was stopped a couple of years ago by a friendly motorist who told me that she didn't notice me or my horse when I was riding under some trees next to the road on a sunny day (and my horse is black) and she only just avoided me
vennessa
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I don't think there are any rules as such but it makes sense to wear as much as you can so motorists etc can spot you a lot quicker than if you're not wearing any, possibly avoiding any accidents. You could also kit your horse out in hi-viz too which is even better.
I was stopped a couple of years ago by a friendly motorist who told me that she didn't notice me or my horse when I was riding under some trees next to the road on a sunny day (and my horse is black) and she only just avoided me
So now I never go out without our high-viz.
[/ QUOTE ]
I am always horse aware but i was driveing in the country one day and came across a lady/horse rideing in a shadey area. Did not see them at all, and it was bright sunshine. I make sure my children wear hi viz clotheing and the horse wears hi-viz every time out now.
We are lucky with our off road rideing here but i can spot the kids far away because of their clotheing.
I don't think there are any rules as such but it makes sense to wear as much as you can so motorists etc can spot you a lot quicker than if you're not wearing any, possibly avoiding any accidents. You could also kit your horse out in hi-viz too which is even better.
I was stopped a couple of years ago by a friendly motorist who told me that she didn't notice me or my horse when I was riding under some trees next to the road on a sunny day (and my horse is black) and she only just avoided me
[/ QUOTE ]
I am always horse aware but i was driveing in the country one day and came across a lady/horse rideing in a shadey area. Did not see them at all, and it was bright sunshine. I make sure my children wear hi viz clotheing and the horse wears hi-viz every time out now.
We are lucky with our off road rideing here but i can spot the kids far away because of their clotheing.
amandathepanda
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Absolutely essential for road work. Don't know re' rules etc, I think it's only a hat that is against the law not to wear.
Mine has 'pass wide & slow on the back' and it works! some drivers really do need it spelt out.
What tarts me off, is that I can't find a hv vest with this print, with zipy pockets, so I can wear a tshirt under it in the summer and not have to stuff my phone down my drawers!
F x
[/ QUOTE ]
Actually (and yes I know this is a completely different debate) it isn't illegal to ride on the road without a hat if you are over the age of 16. I wear hi-viz if the conditions aren't the best or I'm on something a bit young but even if I'm not wearing hi-viz I tend to wear a very bright (fuschia) coat with reflective bits on it so this is the next best thing to hi-viz. What really annoys me is around my area there are dozens of dog walkers who think it is accpetable to walk along unlit lanes in the dark wearing a black jumper/coat with a black labrador... I have come too close to squashing their dogs on a number of occasions
Absolutely essential for road work. Don't know re' rules etc, I think it's only a hat that is against the law not to wear.
Mine has 'pass wide & slow on the back' and it works! some drivers really do need it spelt out.
What tarts me off, is that I can't find a hv vest with this print, with zipy pockets, so I can wear a tshirt under it in the summer and not have to stuff my phone down my drawers!
F x
[/ QUOTE ]
Actually (and yes I know this is a completely different debate) it isn't illegal to ride on the road without a hat if you are over the age of 16. I wear hi-viz if the conditions aren't the best or I'm on something a bit young but even if I'm not wearing hi-viz I tend to wear a very bright (fuschia) coat with reflective bits on it so this is the next best thing to hi-viz. What really annoys me is around my area there are dozens of dog walkers who think it is accpetable to walk along unlit lanes in the dark wearing a black jumper/coat with a black labrador... I have come too close to squashing their dogs on a number of occasions
WCCHIC
Well-Known Member
I never wore Hi-viz clothing when hacking out even though my horse was black, my friend always wears a please pass wide and slow tabard no matter what the weather is after a horse she new was hit by a car. I think with an increasing number of cars on the road it is probably advisable for all riders and horses to wear reflective clothing.
BeckyD
Well-Known Member
This is no criticism but I'm just surprised to hear your view, as that isn't one I've heard before. I can understand your sentiment - everyone should be equal on the road and we should all get equal respect.
For me, I think the most important hing is being seen. I don't expect hi viz to make any difference to people's speed once they have spotted me, but I expect that it means they CAN spot me. Having had numerous near-misses with gloomy-coloured cyclists on gloomy days, and me cursing them for not being more visible, I wouldn't want to be a near-miss as someone couldn't see me. Or even worse, not being a miss. It can be so difficult to see things when you're driving and there's lots happening, or strange background or something. Anything that makes people aware of my presence must be good in my eyes. It gives them the choice of whether to slow or not
I now would not go on the road without hi-viz except in an emergency.
For me, I think the most important hing is being seen. I don't expect hi viz to make any difference to people's speed once they have spotted me, but I expect that it means they CAN spot me. Having had numerous near-misses with gloomy-coloured cyclists on gloomy days, and me cursing them for not being more visible, I wouldn't want to be a near-miss as someone couldn't see me. Or even worse, not being a miss. It can be so difficult to see things when you're driving and there's lots happening, or strange background or something. Anything that makes people aware of my presence must be good in my eyes. It gives them the choice of whether to slow or not
I now would not go on the road without hi-viz except in an emergency.
Diggerdog
Well-Known Member
Why <u>wouldn't</u> you wear hi-viz every time you ride on the roads?
For the minimal effort of put on a vest, you could avoid an accident in which you or your horse could be killed. Its irrelevant whether your horse is 4 or 24 if a car driver doesn't see you in time.
Seems like a no brainer to me.
For the minimal effort of put on a vest, you could avoid an accident in which you or your horse could be killed. Its irrelevant whether your horse is 4 or 24 if a car driver doesn't see you in time.
Seems like a no brainer to me.
catembi
Well-Known Member
I've always worn hi-viz but after we moved & had to do more roadwork o/h (who comes out on his bike) & I got some new, v bright tabards with flashing red leds.
We both noticed that people slow down a lot better for us. The mentality seems to be, 'if you've made an effort to be safe, I'll make an effort to slow down'.
They were about £15 each from the saddlery.
We both noticed that people slow down a lot better for us. The mentality seems to be, 'if you've made an effort to be safe, I'll make an effort to slow down'.
They were about £15 each from the saddlery.
Orangehorse
Well-Known Member
Dress Your Horse for the Road.
A local vet said this, after she had attended a horse fatality on the roads.
Riders put all sorts of protective wear on their horses for travelling/cross country, even schooling, so just look at it as doing the same for road riding.
I have a hgh viz coat with zip out sleeves, so it can be a waistcoat in t he summer. I also take a dressage whip with pink bit at the end I can hold out at driver's height, so he can see how wide the horse is.
A local vet said this, after she had attended a horse fatality on the roads.
Riders put all sorts of protective wear on their horses for travelling/cross country, even schooling, so just look at it as doing the same for road riding.
I have a hgh viz coat with zip out sleeves, so it can be a waistcoat in t he summer. I also take a dressage whip with pink bit at the end I can hold out at driver's height, so he can see how wide the horse is.
Happytime6210
Member
Thank you all very much. What do we think about LED's in garments then? x
WCCHIC
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Why <u>wouldn't</u> you wear hi-viz every time you ride on the roads?
For the minimal effort of put on a vest, you could avoid an accident in which you or your horse could be killed. Its irrelevant whether your horse is 4 or 24 if a car driver doesn't see you in time.
Seems like a no brainer to me.
[/ QUOTE ]
I agree it is a no brainer and something I would definitely do in the future, if I were to get the opportunity to hack out again.
Five years ago very few people wore Hi-viz unless they were riding in bad weather conditions and there were far fewer cars around, I guess as a later teen young adult it never occured to me that I might be hit by a car... No excuse really
Why <u>wouldn't</u> you wear hi-viz every time you ride on the roads?
For the minimal effort of put on a vest, you could avoid an accident in which you or your horse could be killed. Its irrelevant whether your horse is 4 or 24 if a car driver doesn't see you in time.
Seems like a no brainer to me.
[/ QUOTE ]
I agree it is a no brainer and something I would definitely do in the future, if I were to get the opportunity to hack out again.
Five years ago very few people wore Hi-viz unless they were riding in bad weather conditions and there were far fewer cars around, I guess as a later teen young adult it never occured to me that I might be hit by a car... No excuse really
jen1
Well-Known Member
I Always wear it, living near London and the speed that cars go round here I think anything to help is a necessity.
Then again I mentioned to a couple of riders last summer who were on dark horses wearing dark clothing that it was hard to see them when I was driving along a tree lined road and what did I get? A lot of F's and mind my own bl*&dy business so with riders like that no wonder dirvers couldn't give a T8ss either!
Also read a post on here a while ago saying that if you have an accident in a remote area you are more easily spotted by the emergency services so if you have been knocked out they will see the 'body' sooner if in high viz.
I have a Luna Rider jacket and it's fantastic positively glows and wear a tabbard in the summer, horse wears Hi Viz brushing boots all round apparently the movement of the legs is a trigger to motorists to spot you earlier than if not wearing them. Used to use a tail thingy but it kept slipping off.
Then again I mentioned to a couple of riders last summer who were on dark horses wearing dark clothing that it was hard to see them when I was driving along a tree lined road and what did I get? A lot of F's and mind my own bl*&dy business so with riders like that no wonder dirvers couldn't give a T8ss either!
Also read a post on here a while ago saying that if you have an accident in a remote area you are more easily spotted by the emergency services so if you have been knocked out they will see the 'body' sooner if in high viz.
I have a Luna Rider jacket and it's fantastic positively glows and wear a tabbard in the summer, horse wears Hi Viz brushing boots all round apparently the movement of the legs is a trigger to motorists to spot you earlier than if not wearing them. Used to use a tail thingy but it kept slipping off.
Angelbones
Well-Known Member
Oooooh don't get me started! I'm an absolute hi-viz addict and don't believe that you can ever be too easily seen on a horse. Even if you don't mind being hit by a car, would you want your horse to be?
Basically (as I've put this on other posts) I think you should always wear a hi viz hat cover - especially if you ride around rural lanes with high hedges. I've actually been stopped by motorists who said they saw my hat over the hedge before they got round the bend and braked accordingly, thank god!
I don't see the point of tabards really, I don't think they are wide enough. If you add on the sleeves you are practically twice the width visually and surely that must be a good thing. (We all have padded bomber jackets for winter, and mesh type long sleeved shirts for summer).
A bright colour is not enough (fuschia, red etc), it must have the reflective strips on. These show up in sunlight, and under car lights.
Leg wraps are all very well but have you ever driven up behind a horse wearing them? Most of the time the horse's tail covers the wraps.
Bright days are as bad as dull days for seeing horses - if you drive from light into shade (under trees etc) it takes a moment for your eyes to adjust, and it only takes a moment to hit a horse...
You can tell I'm a ballbuster about this, but having had a horse hit by a car transporter many years ago, I am oh so bl**dy grateful this stuff is now so readily available and so cheap - check out ebay for workmanlike stuff, much cheaper and you can buy in bulk and spread them around your pals too!
Come on, if you don't do it for yourself, do it for your horse!
Rant over! XXX
Basically (as I've put this on other posts) I think you should always wear a hi viz hat cover - especially if you ride around rural lanes with high hedges. I've actually been stopped by motorists who said they saw my hat over the hedge before they got round the bend and braked accordingly, thank god!
I don't see the point of tabards really, I don't think they are wide enough. If you add on the sleeves you are practically twice the width visually and surely that must be a good thing. (We all have padded bomber jackets for winter, and mesh type long sleeved shirts for summer).
A bright colour is not enough (fuschia, red etc), it must have the reflective strips on. These show up in sunlight, and under car lights.
Leg wraps are all very well but have you ever driven up behind a horse wearing them? Most of the time the horse's tail covers the wraps.
Bright days are as bad as dull days for seeing horses - if you drive from light into shade (under trees etc) it takes a moment for your eyes to adjust, and it only takes a moment to hit a horse...
You can tell I'm a ballbuster about this, but having had a horse hit by a car transporter many years ago, I am oh so bl**dy grateful this stuff is now so readily available and so cheap - check out ebay for workmanlike stuff, much cheaper and you can buy in bulk and spread them around your pals too!
Come on, if you don't do it for yourself, do it for your horse!
Rant over! XXX
Enfys
Well-Known Member
Workmens tee shirts are available now in the usual hi viz yellow or orange with reflective strips on....usual place I believe.
Has anyone got a link for the hi viz 'headgear' (for the horse) that I have just been reading about elsewhere?
Not that I use the stuff as I rarely ride on the roads and they are boringly long, straight and flat with visibility for about a mile in each direction.
Now, in the shooting (poaching) season I know people who ride in hi viz to avoid getting shot and also use hi viz rugs for grazing horses in case some trigger happy dimwit mistakes a horse for a deer or whatever.
Has anyone got a link for the hi viz 'headgear' (for the horse) that I have just been reading about elsewhere?
Not that I use the stuff as I rarely ride on the roads and they are boringly long, straight and flat with visibility for about a mile in each direction.
Now, in the shooting (poaching) season I know people who ride in hi viz to avoid getting shot and also use hi viz rugs for grazing horses in case some trigger happy dimwit mistakes a horse for a deer or whatever.
Sugarplum Furry
Well-Known Member
I agree with Angelbones about tabards not being wide enough, also about the leg bands.
If you are in a car, your line of vision is initially around the horse's chest height. I think more hi viz products should available for that area of the horse, the chest and maybe a long tail wrap of some kind that shows up clearly on the horse's back end.
* goes off to invent something*
If you are in a car, your line of vision is initially around the horse's chest height. I think more hi viz products should available for that area of the horse, the chest and maybe a long tail wrap of some kind that shows up clearly on the horse's back end.
* goes off to invent something*
Toby_Zaphod
Well-Known Member
I am a motorcyclist, I ride a 800cc BMW & I wear hi viz to ensure being seen.
When my horse goes out on the road he has hi viz boots, exercise sheet & breast plate & the rider has a tabard. I cannot understand why anyone would go out hacking on a road without the bare minimum i.e. a tabard.
There is little doubt that if you are involved in an accident & are injured that any compensation would be greatly reduced if as a rider you had taken no steps to increase your visibility on the road.
When my horse goes out on the road he has hi viz boots, exercise sheet & breast plate & the rider has a tabard. I cannot understand why anyone would go out hacking on a road without the bare minimum i.e. a tabard.
There is little doubt that if you are involved in an accident & are injured that any compensation would be greatly reduced if as a rider you had taken no steps to increase your visibility on the road.
misshubblebubble
Well-Known Member
I never hack out without it - you could probably see me from space.
Yep, theres the great wall of china, and there's holli out hacking!
I'm probably more in danger of blinding the riders than not being seen by them! LOL!
It does seriously annoy me though when I see people out without hi-viz.
It gives the rest of us a bad name.
Yep, theres the great wall of china, and there's holli out hacking!
I'm probably more in danger of blinding the riders than not being seen by them! LOL!
It does seriously annoy me though when I see people out without hi-viz.
It gives the rest of us a bad name.
Chunkie
Well-Known Member
I too have difficulty in understanding why some people still don't wear hi-viz.
My mare is mid/dark bay, and in the autumn and winter, she just blends into the trees and hedges! Whenever we go out - all year round, as a minimum she wears wraps on all 4 legs, I have a hat band and either a long-sleeved coat or a waistcoat, all in yellow hi-viz. She also wears an excercise sheet if it's cold or a very dark day.
Sometimes I only go 200yards down the road before turning onto bridle paths all the way home, but would NEVER, EVER, go out without it.
I am also very careful when driving, but once came up behind a horse I just didn't see - it was a dark chestnut, being ridden by a rider completely dressed in brown along a shady, tree-lined country lane. As I passed, there were 5 horses, and only the rider at the front had a tabard on, yet there was far more danger from behind!
My mare is mid/dark bay, and in the autumn and winter, she just blends into the trees and hedges! Whenever we go out - all year round, as a minimum she wears wraps on all 4 legs, I have a hat band and either a long-sleeved coat or a waistcoat, all in yellow hi-viz. She also wears an excercise sheet if it's cold or a very dark day.
Sometimes I only go 200yards down the road before turning onto bridle paths all the way home, but would NEVER, EVER, go out without it.
I am also very careful when driving, but once came up behind a horse I just didn't see - it was a dark chestnut, being ridden by a rider completely dressed in brown along a shady, tree-lined country lane. As I passed, there were 5 horses, and only the rider at the front had a tabard on, yet there was far more danger from behind!
Happytime6210
Member
I agree that there are some riders out there who don't give riders a good name. When im in the car with my mum, it really annoys me when rider's dont say thank you for the car slowing down.
I am having a look at some of the hi viz on the net, but does anyone know of any fashionable hi viz jackets that are out there? Some of the stuff looks awful.
x
I am having a look at some of the hi viz on the net, but does anyone know of any fashionable hi viz jackets that are out there? Some of the stuff looks awful.
x
lizzie_liz
Well-Known Member
Up until recently I only put hi-viz gear on when it poor weather or hacking in the evenings incase I got caught out in sudden darkness. However after an incident over Easter I now make sure everytime I hack out both horse and I are kitted out in hi viz gear.
The incident involved me getting thrown off my horse and her galloping off onto a busy road at rush hour. She thankfully had a hi viz exercise sheet on and the motorist who caught her said she really stood out in it.
I am also going to put tags on her saddle with my home and mobile number on it, then if I was ever to be dumped again and she was to gallop off, someone would know who to ring.
The incident involved me getting thrown off my horse and her galloping off onto a busy road at rush hour. She thankfully had a hi viz exercise sheet on and the motorist who caught her said she really stood out in it.
I am also going to put tags on her saddle with my home and mobile number on it, then if I was ever to be dumped again and she was to gallop off, someone would know who to ring.
custard
Well-Known Member
I try not to bang on about what I do for a living as it sometimes gets me a load of grief, but speaking as a traffic bobby, I cannot stress enough the importance of making yourself visible. My bread and butter is dealing with RTC's, usually the more serious/fatal ones and time and time again it's motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders who end up on the receiving end of others poor driving. If you go on the highway with little or no Hi Vis you are a fool and a liability to yourself and everyone else on the road, period!
Hollycat
Well-Known Member
I agree with Enfys
There are loads of nice, well priced high vis made for workmen. T-shirts, fleece jackets (great for spring and autum as has pockets unlike a tabbard), tabbards, winter jackets etc and all about half the price of products specifically made for riders. I hadn't thought about seeing a headband above hedges but it is a good point.
There are loads of nice, well priced high vis made for workmen. T-shirts, fleece jackets (great for spring and autum as has pockets unlike a tabbard), tabbards, winter jackets etc and all about half the price of products specifically made for riders. I hadn't thought about seeing a headband above hedges but it is a good point.