Modern Vespa

Started wearing one of these vests over my black leather ICON armored jacket. Black was only avail. in my size, but wanted a way to add Hi-Viz.
These have been used in the U.K. for 8 years.
I've tried a couple of different hi viz vests....but I notice that following cars give me noticeably more space when I'm wearing this POLITE vest.



https://equisafety.com/collections/polite?page=3
O.S.

That's a great idea! Never seen those before, but really, a good trick.

Expect more attention than usual from the plod.

There is even one with "Think Scooter" written on the back. Your honour!

I've seen people wearing them. I am too much of a mod to wear high viz though!

I would worry that when people realized they might feel tricked or annoyed and act even worse (at least with the aggressive drivers I see every day in the City). But I have nothing concrete to base that on, and it sounds like that is not your experience?

One reviewer took his off after one week. Was embarrassed to be seen wearing it.
Yep, he rides motorcycles.
Some scooter riders aren't so vain.
Then there are Vespa riders☺

I didn't say that out loud, did I?
O.S.

I wear mine all the time. Drivers only see you for a fleeting moment when they come up on (or you pass them) you and back right off...

Here's an example, I was riding my motorcycle I-70 thru Denver and had a driver comes up on my tail very fast, then he saw my hi viz POLITE vest and backed right off.. like at least 300 feet. after a few miles, I pulled off at my exit and watched him floor it and drive off at least 20 mph over the 65 mph speed limit.

It's probably more effective in the UK because the checkered pattern is commonly used on police apparel. This type of high viz vest started off with horse back riders and migrated to bike riders.

Yeah not for me either, I always laugh at the guys on their white BMW bikes and police look a like helmets

Laugh at me all you want, but that means you saw me.

My point is I would see you just the same in a normal high vis.

In my opinion it is like some sort of 'cheating', definitely not something I will ever consider wearing.

Consider that many do not like the "POLITE" Fleeing criminals, terrorists, etc. Imo there is a small chance this vest could get you hurt. You are not even carrying that which I dare not mention, not that it would help while riding. It looks like a uniform and imo uniforms attract trouble.

Or, as we all know, most criminals aren't all that bright, and there's a better chance they won't think the writing on the vest all the way thru, and just avoid you, rather than think to hurt you.

Now this doesn't look like police apparel.

I wouldnt be so sure!!

Guess not. This must be the new gender neutrality that I hear so much about.

that looks awesome! however, getting one to the US would cost about $70 shipped? Alpinestar hiviz vest is only about $45:
https://www.motosport.com/product/?adpos=1o3&cc=us&creative=189706425745&device=c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIg-yTpbih2wIVllYNCh1GLgmoEAQYAyABEgKhE_D_BwE&key=Alpinestars-Flare-High-Visibility-Vest&matchtype=&mrkgadid=1409988426&mrkgcl=500&network=g&product_id=APN007I-X001-Y002&pssource=true&rkg_id=0&segment=badger-street

I paid @$50 shipped to Ohio from England.
O.S.

This.

The rule for real estate also applies to riding in traffic...
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION !

The best way of being seen is to be riding where you CAN be seen. Riding with traffic, I position myself where I can see the face of the driver ahead of me in both rear view mirrors - roughly 3m (10') behind and inline with the car's tyre. In a LEFT lane, I ride on the RIGHT and in a RIGHT lane I ride on the LEFT, so a lane change for me is only 1 - 1,5m (3-5')

I also wear bright colours to aid the drivers to see me - plain "hi-vis" or yellow are best in overcast conditions. and another trick is not to ride in a straight line, but to weave very slightly so your headlight doesn't imprint as a stationary object.

As for the POLITE vs POLICE - in my country, I would not want to be confused with police right now. We currently have a scourge of cash-in-transit heists where well-trained gangs in multiple vehicles armed with fully automatic weapons attack cash-in-transit armoured trucks. When they jump into action, they shoot at anything and anyone that even vaguely looks like law enforcement!

Passed a Harley Davidson rider early yesterday morning. Both of us up early for a nice ride.
He had on a full and new looking hi viz yellow jacket....and a cloth tied on his head.
I was armored head to toe..with leather gloves...hi viz jacket and helmet...on a 155cc Piaggio.
We waved to each other.
Later, passed by a youngster riding a black sports bike, fully geared in all black.Black on black.
He waved, too.

O.S.

next helmet i buy will be hi viz as well. my regular gear is alpinestar hi viz drytech textile, but if i could have my way I'd wrap the entire BV350 in hi viz vinyl for the added effect.

I don't think my knee/back can handle being cut-off by yet another car...

I totally agree. I have reflective hi viz stickers on my helmet, and I wear a hi-viz vest when I ride. I may look like a complete stooge, but I don't care. As I say to my friends, "If they look at me riding and say LOOK AT THAT DORK, the key word is LOOK--they saw me."