Someone needs a slap for making these

[GazHyde]

Followed a motor biker today who was wearing one of these, over black waterproofs with a white helmet.

Clearly designed to make him appear from a distance to be a Police rider. His bike had a big locker on the back, so all you could see was a white helmet, and "polite" which blurs at a short distance to Police.

Seriously, what the hell. I think I'll paint blue and white stripes on my car, and see how much quicker I can get to work in the morning

Rant over...

 

[t-tony]

Perhaps he ought to get pulled for impersonating a Police officer?

Tony.

 

[g8jka]

Always see loads of horse riders wearing them. If we fit blue lights to our cars we get arrested for impersonating the police, but whats the bet the police encourage bikers and horse riders to wear these.

Fair enough it might make them safer but they shouldn't be allowed to have something that similar to a police uniform!

 

[t-tony]

There was a business in Gainsborough that had some yellow and blue "cones" which had on them "Polite Notice - No Parking" on them to discourage people from parking outside the premises. I always thought that was a bit naughty too.

Tony.

 

[Mac Romans]

I HATE these. The wearer is welcome to spend a day with me and I'll let them face down a knife wielding maniac completely by themselves or tell a child you've just picked (most of what's left of) their dad up from the roadside the day defore Father's Day or hold a grieving mother back as her child's body is pulled out of a river in front of her or cut a hanging man down and perform CPR in the middle of the street, or face-down a pack of feral football fans as the people you're protecting from them do little more than stand and film you on a phone so keyboard warriors on YouTube can offer their (ahem) expert opinion on what you did wrong. All true stories and I've barely scratched the surface.

Only then they can they decide if it's actually what they want to be.

And then if it is they can train solidly for 12 weeks before being tuned out on the street for another 2 years and that way they MIGHT earn the right to wear it if they can prove they've got the minerals.

Rant over.

 

[Stevo7682]

There is something missing from this thread can't put my finger on it mmmmm...............










Aha i know !!!!

Its missing a bit of

 

[Stevo7682]

I'm surprised that the reflective bands are allowed to be blue and white.

 

[andyglym]

Clearly missing something in their lives. Bless

 

[Jack Ratt]

These have been around for a couple of years at least. I first came across them when I was working in London

 

[Zeti]

This tricky jacket , similar with police , using word games is a safety device for a biker, as long as he doesn't want to take advantage of it. You all have to admit that always, when you see a police biker you release instantly the throttle and take a check to the speedometer...isn't so?
Some how these false alarm jackets are useful. Like the cartboard policeman posted on the side of the road in dangerous road segments.

 

[oldcarman]

As a, for many many years, biker we need all the help we can get just to survive out on the roads so I personally see nothing wrong with his strategy. But I''m also glad that you are watching what's going on around you and noticed him on the bike. Well done! JIM

 

[Bozzy]

I have to own up to owning one of these for the last few months of my biking days.
For me it was not about trying to impersonate a policeman,it was about being more noticeable to other road users as you are so vulnerable on two wheels.
It was great on motorways,those middle lane hogers,soon moved over into the inside lane.
And my daughters would use it when they were horse riding on the roads,they said cars etc gave them a wider birth than usual.
No one takes any notice of the usual high vis jackets
They have been around for a few years now and when they first came out,I heard a police force was giving them out free at Croft race track if I remember right.
Worn for the right reason i agree with,for any other reasons I do not.

Steve

 

[Mac Romans]

Truth moment then Steve....as a wearer of one of these, did you wear it knowing people would think you were a police officer and a just their behaviour accordingly?

 

[Bozzy]

I wore it because it's far more visible than the the usual offerings tbh.
I must say when I first saw one from a distance I thought it was a police biker until it was closer.
Seeing the way most other drivers reacted,giving the bike plenty of room as it filtered through stationary traffic was suprising,quite often car drivers see a bike doing that and will close any gap,or worse and not see the bike at all till it's too late.
My point is if it makes you more noticeable on our busy roads,it will save lives. How can that be wrong ?
My intention was not to make people think I was a police officer,which quite obviously with my race rep leathers and sports bike doesn't fit the police bikers look.
I have the upmost respect for you and your colleagues Mac with the demanding work you do and the service you provide and in no way wish to offend.


Steve

 

[Bozzy]

Oh I forgot to mention I taped over the "polite" bit on mine.

 

[Nodzed]

Followed a motor biker today who was wearing one of these, over black waterproofs with a white helmet.

Clearly designed to make him appear from a distance to be a Police rider. His bike had a big locker on the back, so all you could see was a white helmet, and "polite" which blurs at a short distance to Police.

Seriously, what the hell. I think I'll paint blue and white stripes on my car, and see how much quicker I can get to work in the morning

Rant over...

View attachment 49717

@GazHyde
You wasn't speeding now was you Gaz ... Hmmmmmmmmm

 

[Mac Romans]

Oh I forgot to mention I taped over the "polite" bit on mine.

Sometimes at work I'm not very polite either!

 

[Uncle_Clanger]

I HATE these. The wearer is welcome to spend a day with me and I'll let them face down a knife wielding maniac completely by themselves or tell a child you've just picked (most of what's left of) their dad up from the roadside the day defore Father's Day or hold a grieving mother back as her child's body is pulled out of a river in front of her or cut a hanging man down and perform CPR in the middle of the street, or face-down a pack of feral football fans as the people you're protecting from them do little more than stand and film you on a phone so keyboard warriors on YouTube can offer their (ahem) expert opinion on what you did wrong. All true stories and I've barely scratched the surface.

Only then they can they decide if it's actually what they want to be.

And then if it is they can train solidly for 12 weeks before being tuned out on the street for another 2 years and that way they MIGHT earn the right to wear it if they can prove they've got the minerals.

Rant over.

I don't agree entirely, I think you may have missed an important point. Where as the odd person might be juvenile enough to enjoy playing police, speaking from experience (commuting by motorcycle in Bangkok... Read the stats!) As a vulnerable vehicle the appearance of the "law" sometimes gives you a chance with drivers that are "in a hurry" or shall we say less than courteous... Quite often respect for the law translates into not wanting to receive a financial penalty. I think modern motorists Instinctively recognise police quicker than they might recognise other "hazzards"... I actually wore a replica police safety jacket riding in Bangkok and I did actually feel safer doing so. I really don't think it's an issue of " devaluing" the police its more a safely mechanism that really should be temporary until the number of bikers and cyclists being killed decreases.... I think people are offended slightly because they feel like they are being "duped" but really, when is the last time you flagged down a mounted police officer only to realise it was a 12 year old girl on a pony?

 

[Uncle_Clanger]

Of course if everybody was bright orange like @Mac Romans then maybe we will all be safer and wearing shades

 

[Zeti]

As you know I recently got the motorcycle virus and I hope I'll get my driver license for it, this summer. I know, I started that when people usually give up bike and stay happy just with cars...but "a man's got to do what a man's got to do". I drove lorry and cars for 34 years, bicycle since childhood and moped in the last 3 years and with all this experience, I still been very worried about my safety on motorbike, knowing how most part of the drivers treat bikers in my country/ city. So I'll try to use any legal way to make myself visible and increase my chances to un equal right on the road, I hope without offending nobody and driving more defensive as possible, as I did all my life. I just hope that with such tricky cloths I'll stop, for a moment, the people talking or taping SMS on the phone, in traffic, things that I see all the time. And maybe that moment will save my life.