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.

And Normal, you're actually wishing gravel rash on people? That's just sick.

Given that Bogey says you can skin yourself at 20mph, surely pedal cyclists will also be required to wear leathers, for their own safety? After all, they can easily reach 20mph.

Gravel rash is probably the smallest injury they'll experience if they came off a motorbike without leathers and without a helmet as many have shown in this thread

And gravel rash for a pedal cyclist is nowhere near as bad as it is for a motorcyclist.

Still painful but that extra 30-40mph makes a massive difference

subtle I really don't understand, You are posting as if a nerve has been touched or something?

I am a biker, I am reading posts which wish me to experience a painful and debilitating injury. Damn right a nerve has been touched.

FWIW, I wear protective gear most of the time, but I do it out of personal choice not because some civil servant - or vindictive mumsnetter - has decided what's good for me.

I'll agree to making leathers compulsory when we also make it compulsory that car occupants must wear crash helmets and neck braces while sitting in seats fitted with five-point harnesses.

Because heaven forfend we treat adults like adults who can make up their own minds.

Used to do rta claims yanbu.

It's not wishing you an injury. It's saying a bit of gravel burn may teach you to wear the right equipment because going by the experiences on here gravel burn is the least of your worries!

Hiding the thread now. I find it offensive.

Darwin in action

And yes, go ahead and tell me I deserved it because I was speeding.

All Normal was saying is that of some of these kids not wearing protective gear experienced the gravel rash they may want to wear it.

People can make up their own minds, nobody says they can't. But there is also making the wise choice isn't there?

It should be law for people to not be idiots when it comes to personal safety.

Yanbu ...and if anyone is after leathers/jackets to fit 5'6 size 16 ish (big boobs) pm me as I have various bits to sell!!!

Were you doing 90mph? IME Bikes doing that speed tend to weave in and out of traffic in a highly dangerous manner.

Want me to put you in touch with a few traffic officers who have peeled people like you off the roads? You're bloody lucky to still be here tbh

I think leathers should be worn but people choose not to. I have seen the aftermaths of many injuries where you can see bone due to riding in trainers and shorts. A good friend lost his leg after not wearing his usual boots, another burnt the skin off his leg when on pillion wearing jeans and they crashed with him under the exhaust.

I have one friend with a beautiful battered leather jacket where you can see where it has been worn away on one shoulder from a crash, it saved his shoulder.

You can't make people abide by a law when it comes to their own safety, they will only do what they feel is the minimum. For some that is full kit for others it is a pisspot helmet and that's it

Exactly sparkling

Learn by experience

I usually mutter "he obviously hasn't fallen off yet" and hope I will not be first on the scene when he does.

iamnotachewtoy you can get leathers made to measure if you're short with bloody big boobs, if you contact the factory. I got mine made at Scott Leathers, same price as in normal riding shops.

It should be law for people to not be idiots when it comes to personal safety.

So you'd agree with car drivers being forced to wear helmets and neck braces while strapped into five-point harnesses then? They are proven to reduce injuries and save lives so you'd have to be an idiot not to use them wouldn't you?

Sparkling I have to disagree that "It should be law for people to not be idiots when it comes to personal safety." Simply because where will it end? You can't make human stupidity vanish that easily (sadly, lol!) and even if you could, we'd have a pretty pointless existence if anything with the slightest risk of injury or harm was banned. No more riding, climbing, hiking, etc.,

Now if, however, you wanted to increase awareness of the difference leathers can make, or create changes in insurance etc., that made it a bonus to go out and buy leathers due to much smaller premiums or whatever, then I'd agree 100%. Because that involves making it easier for people to make a safer choice, rather than foisting it upon them in the name of the law. It's also more likely to create a change in mindset (I used the example of horse riders earlier. It's only a few decades back that wearing a hat was just for children and beginners. Go on a riding forum these days and tell everyone you went out hacking with no hat on, and see how well you're received).

And it still allows for those few who, for whatever reason, absolutely do not want to wear leathers.

That is not the same thing at all Howard. i don't see the relevance.