Death and injury are so unbecoming. They are two styles that basically suit no-one. So why do city riders avoid safety gear? Style. That's why. Here we've assembled a bunch of great gear from helmets to gloves, pants and boots that will keep your skin in place and keep you looking good.
Yes, most safety gear makes you look like either a track racer or a Hell's Angel. Hence the number of inner-city commuters avoiding it, and ending up looking like the TAC campaign "
What's between you and the operating theatre?". It is a fallacy that bike gear makes you look like a dork. Let's face it, a woman dressed in full black leathers is hot. Are you familiar with
Cat Woman? Guys, why would you not want to look like
this guy on the right?
The law says all you need is a helmet. But if you're serious about losing minimum skin in an accident, you need gloves, pants and a jacket too. Rick Williams from
Honda Australia Rider Training recommends leather, as it is naturally abrasion resistant and has a low heat transfer. That means it won't melt to your skin if you skid across the road, like synthetic materials can.
David Healy, senior manager road safety at the TAC agrees, and says you should be wearing leather even if you're riding a scooter. "The reality is that the risks are as dangerous on a scooter as on a bike. If you come off a scooter you will rip through denim or fabric so you should be wearing leather."
Your helmet should be full face, to avoid losing your mandible and
tearing your face off. Pants should have knee protection to aid when
sliding along the road and smashing your joint. Your jacket should have
a spine guard to disperse any impact. Elbow and shoulder armor too.
There are scooter riders out there who will refuse to wear a full face,
so we have found some nice open face ones too. If your face isn't that
important to you.
The dirty stats are that bikes and scooters are 1% of road traffic and 14% of deaths. So while the new Vespa is just so cute, and it costs so much less to fill than a car, riding it puts you at much greater risk than driving. Wear the right gear and you will be better off. It won't take all the idiots off the road, but at least you will keep your skin on.
Stockists:
Alpine Stars 03 8327 8888 www.alpinestars.com
Dr Martens 03 9427 9422 www.drmartens.com
Dainese 03 8327 8888 www.dainese.com
Deus ex Machina 02 9557 6866 www.deus.com
Tiger Angel 03 9326 5836 www.tigerangel.com.au