Safety
We are all hypocrits on occasion with regards to bike safety. I have been known to bop along in a crappy sixties era bucket that has no lining and the foam inner just rattles around. And just this morning, I was riding in a full armored jacket, full faced helmet, sturdy Held gloves..but wearing jeans on my legs. Not much protection down there if I surf the pavement at 50 per.
SO with that full disclosure in mind, I spotted an odd duck this morning on my way to work. Picture if you will, a goldwingified 80s BMW airhead RT. Bags, rear box, stereo...the whole bit. And perched on this Teutonappotamus is a gent I judged to be about 50-55 years of age. Certainly old enough to have learned some lessons. And by the way he handled the bike, not new to the activity. Nothing odd there. What caught my eye and puzzled me was that he was wearing tennis shoes, ankle socks, shorts and a t-shirt....under a bright ORANGE visibility vest. Now if he is so concerned with being safe....as just about every vest wearer and conspicuity advocate I have ever met is very much concerned with safety, to the point of being a "Suspenders and belt" kind of crowd...why was he so cavalier about the rest of his gear?
To me, it was like getting a vasectomy and only doing one side. Or like having a spare tire in the car...but no jack or lug wrench.
I suppose it could be said that he is the inverse of me. I personally think the conspicuity stuff is at best a placebo and at worst a hazard. But I do wear crash protection. So he is placing everything in "see me...dont hit me" where I am saying "I know you cant see me...I'm staying the hell outta the way" Sure there are studies about colors and catching the human eye and all. But I dont buy it much...seems the empirical evidence gained by anyone who has tripped over a crack in the sidewalk or crashed a bicycle as a kid is pretty indisputable and weighs a lot more than a theory that leads to a clown suit.
SO with that full disclosure in mind, I spotted an odd duck this morning on my way to work. Picture if you will, a goldwingified 80s BMW airhead RT. Bags, rear box, stereo...the whole bit. And perched on this Teutonappotamus is a gent I judged to be about 50-55 years of age. Certainly old enough to have learned some lessons. And by the way he handled the bike, not new to the activity. Nothing odd there. What caught my eye and puzzled me was that he was wearing tennis shoes, ankle socks, shorts and a t-shirt....under a bright ORANGE visibility vest. Now if he is so concerned with being safe....as just about every vest wearer and conspicuity advocate I have ever met is very much concerned with safety, to the point of being a "Suspenders and belt" kind of crowd...why was he so cavalier about the rest of his gear?
To me, it was like getting a vasectomy and only doing one side. Or like having a spare tire in the car...but no jack or lug wrench.
I suppose it could be said that he is the inverse of me. I personally think the conspicuity stuff is at best a placebo and at worst a hazard. But I do wear crash protection. So he is placing everything in "see me...dont hit me" where I am saying "I know you cant see me...I'm staying the hell outta the way" Sure there are studies about colors and catching the human eye and all. But I dont buy it much...seems the empirical evidence gained by anyone who has tripped over a crack in the sidewalk or crashed a bicycle as a kid is pretty indisputable and weighs a lot more than a theory that leads to a clown suit.
posted by Z at
7:43 PM
1 Comments:
Once, I asked my buddy why he orders a large terriyaki bowl and a diet coke. His reply: "You do what you can". Translates to: I'm not willing to give up my shorts and tennis shoes, but I can wear this vest that may up my chances a bit."
Not sayin' it's right, but that's the mentality as I see it.
Love reading your stuff, man.
bird
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