to think bikers leathers should be a legal requirement just as much as helmets?

[Bogeyface]

There is a reason why, even on the hottest day of the year, you see bikers in sweltering hot leathers. Its because that is all there is between them and the road if they come off their bikes.

But the number of tossers I see on chicken chasers (usually with L Plates, but not always) riding like twats in canvas shoes, shorts and tshirt (and sometimes not even a tshirt).

Do they not want to stay attached to their skin? It turns my stomach when I think of what could happen and while you could say that its their choice (as H does, he says let them kill themselves if they want to), the damage they could do to themselves would be far more traumatic for others to deal with, and would cost the NHS thousands more in treatment.

AIBU? DH says I am.

yanbu! leathers are a lifesaver.

YANBU. What reason does you DH give for disagreeing?

I can't understand anyone getting on a motorbike without them.

Yanbu and I've long been surprised it's not.

My uncle used to drive a motorbike until the day he was hit by a car, it was the drivers fault. He was wearing a helmet of course but it was the leathers that prevented all the other bloody awful injuries he could have had.

Shak his argument is that if you are stupid enough to not wear them when they are not a legal requirement then you probably wouldnt wear decent ones if they were so it wouldnt make any difference. He likens it to people who refuse to wear seatbelts.

I can sort of see his point in that with some people no amount of laws will make them do the right thing. But I feel that it would make a huge difference, mainly with the numbers of young lads on scooters riding like arseholes. If they have to shell out for leathers, and put the whole motley on every time they go out, I suspect that less will buy the scooters in the first place.

I get irrationally wound up about this. I live in Australia and so it's hot for more than half the year (22degrees this week - end of Autumn, so we're all in long sleeves and long trousers now!), and you see idiots driving bikes wearing shorts, vest and flip flops.
DH has to tell me to calm down as I get a bit ranty.

22 degrees here today, we were all in the paddling pool cooling off :o

I get ranty too, every time I see one, it beggars belief doesnt it?!

I want these motorcyclists to experience gravel burn, it hurts like a bitch when you come off a push bike, treble the speed and you'd be like a skinned rat!

YANBU. Sure, some would wear skanky old worn leathers just as some wear helmets which have seen better days, and you can't legislate for that. But it's better than nothing.

Yanbu

same with cyclists and protective helmets/jackets.

the kamikaze lot whizzing in and out of cars on all sides (usually teenagers).

Personal choice I guess

Yanbu. You may well save your brain but what's the point if you have absolutely no skin left and die anyway?

About 15 years ago when my husband was working for the ambulance service, there was an incident in which a denim-clad girl came off the back of a bike. She skidded (at 50 mph plus) along the motorway, and lost half the skin on her body as a result. She died a few days later. Protective clothing should be compulsory.

Dh used to work with somebody who came off his bike and ended up with half a fence in his arm. V nasty injury requiring skin graft. He WAS wearing leathers at the time. Without them his arm would have come off and he would have bled to death by the side of the road. Yes they should be obligatory and if that deterred people from riding bikes until they could afford the necessary kit (and hopefully be mature enough too) then that would be a good result. Perhaps the thing to do would be say that bikers riding in 40 mph areas or lower do NOT need leathers but above that you do. That would exempt little old ladies nipping down to to Tesco from needing to get kitted out :)

The cycling helmet (pushbike) is a weird one. it has been said on here that motorists treat you with more respect if you don't wear one. I have never understood the argument but some cyclists will argue their right not to.

My hubby is always saying the same. He's a biker & always wears all his gear-whatever the weather.
A young lad lost his life last year but he was wearing a helmet but it wasn't fastened properly as he was only going dwn the road!!!!
My hubby hates seeing them in trainers cos if they come off they can easily break their ankles. That's why they recommend boots!!!
I just think they're idiots-it's their family I feel sorry for if the worst happens. There def should b some sort of legislation to make them wear some protection.
At least it's not like America-in some States helmets are optional.

I agree with your Dh - they have made their choice let them get on with it, they know the consequences. These people are adults and don't need protecting from themselves. I disagree with the helmet law too, if they want to ride without one then let them.

I used to ride when I was younger but haven't been on a bike for 15yrs or so - I stopped because I was nearly knocked off twice. I have had friends who rode who were seriously injured even though they had all the gear on, I've also had 1 friend who has been killed with all the gear on - we all knew of the possible consequences of riding hence the reason I stopped.

I agree with the need for leathers, but can someone tell me what chicken chasers are?!

Low powered motorbikes I think Moln.

I don't really like wearing a cycle helmet. I rode without one for months after my last one broke but family pressure - dh bought me one and the kids told me I had to wear it - have forced me to comply. It is likely to protect my head if I come off. I guess they're right :)
Motorcyclists riding without helmets would do wonders for the transplant waiting list

Chicken chasers are those low powered bikes that are ridden by teenage idiots who always make and absolute fecking racket (usually just outside your window when you are trying to get the baby to bed!). they are the worst offenders ime, which is why I disagree with the suggestion above of only making it law for riding over 40mph. You can still take the skin off at 20mph if you are riding in shorts and a tshirt.

Totally nbu, I ride motorbikes and I dont leave the house without boots and jeans minimum, normally leather. Jeans are the next best thing. Never with any bare skin. Gloves should also be mandatory, first thing that hits the ground is hands.

YA 100% NBU

Just the thought of skidding on gravel without leathers makes me wince.

That's true but small steps you know. Would be nice to not see people riding bikes on dual carriageway in shorts......
Really the most effective overall thing might be to INCREASE the age limit.