Month: March 2018

Everything you need to know to ride two wheels

You know what documents you need to handle it, what your helmet and safety vest should be like, what are the maximum speeds and how do you have to authorize someone else to handle it?

 

The use of motor vehicles has increased in recent years and 2017 started with the kick-off of more than 61,800 bikes only in January, reported the Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Chamber (CAFAM). That figure represents 55% more than in the same month of the previous year.

 

Be one of the means of transportation most chosen to move around the cities, above all, it is convenient to know all the requirements to have it. As we already told you in the article about the “Tips to get your driver’s license,” when you opt for a motorcycle you will have to take the A-class driver’s license and with it you will be able to drive mopeds, motorcycles and motorized tricycles.

 

To drive it, whatever model or size you have, you will always have to carry: your ID, driver’s license, identification card of the motorcycle, proof of payment of the patent, proof of current insurance and the Certificate of technical revision of the motorcycle. Of course, the reflective vest is necessary for the road safety. By legal requirement, in Argentina from the age of 16 you can drive mopeds as long as you do not carry passengers and you will need the authorization of your parents (or legal representative) to get the license. A moped is a motorcycle that has up to 50 cubic centimeters of displacement and cannot go more than 50 kilometers per hour.

 

For your safety, you will have to use a standardized helmet and if you are of legal age you will be able to take a companion, but you must wear a helmet. In addition, the driver must wear glasses if the motorcycle does not have a windshield.

 

The standard helmet is a special helmet for riding a motorcycle that has some of these characteristics. Hard and smooth exterior with retro reflective markings, interior with a high density cushioning padding, flexible padding adhered to the padding, which adjusts the helmet to the head; tape restraint system and buckle that goes under the chin correctly holds the helmet to the head, the standard helmet ensures that, in case of accidents, your head is protected. Always wear it fastened. Remember that industrial helmets can not be used to ride a motorcycle.

Considerations for traveling by car in these vacations

Road safety capsule: If you are going on vacation in your car in the next vacation period, consider the following:

Safe driving yes, it seems the most obvious, but it is the first thing that fails. The most important thing is to respect the maximum speeds. Do not use the cell phone while driving under any circumstances, as it distracts us from our position as a pilot, leaving everything ready for an accident to occur. Low lights on and all occupants always with seat belts and boys and girls behind with the corresponding fasteners.

 

Another important factor is the lights. Cleaning any type of dirt will substantially improve the lighting capacity of our vehicle. On the other hand, we must review the distribution bands – attention to the squeaks, if so we must change them – hoses and air conditioning. Tires it is necessary to look in detail if the drawing is well marked. Smooth tires are very dangerous. Check that the pressure is adequate and before going out it is ideal to make an adjustment of alignment and balance. The safety vest is necessary for the car, because the reflective tape for clothing can enhance the visibility.

 

Fluids there are an indispensable quartet: the engine oil level, the antifreeze level, the brake fluid, and the water for the windshield wipers. Always with the engine cold and stopped, the first fluid is controlled with the rod for that purpose, removing it and checking the marks between minimum and maximum. If necessary, make the corresponding oil / filter change. The antifreeze must be at your level to avoid irreparable heating. When checking the brake fluid, do not forget the brake pads either, since if they are not in good condition they are responsible for the liquid coming down. After filling the windshield water tank, make sure that the feathers are in good condition and show no signs of being parched.

 

Final check When you have already set all the above, do not forget to check if you have the spare tire in good condition, a reflective vest, tool and extinguisher in good condition. A first aid kit can save you, and finally you have to check that you have all the necessary and current documentation. Secure the luggage. It is important not to carry loose things in the passenger compartment (inside the vehicle). It is true that many times, you need to bring several, but you have to consider your safety and that of your family.

Motorcyclists need to wear reflective clothing for safe

In the Netherlands, 47 motorcyclists without safety vest died in traffic in 2016. The number of serious road injuries among motorcyclists has not been reliably determined since 2009, when there were around 1,300, due to poor registration. In the Netherlands, 1.4 million people have a motorcycle license, but with only 656,000 registered engines, less than half have an engine.

 

These motorcyclists drive on average 1,200 to 3,400 km per year, so most do not really build up routine. The risk of dying in traffic (per distance traveled) was 30 times greater for motorcyclists between 2010 and 2014 than for motorists. Of the deceased motorcyclists in 2016, almost 30% were between 40 and 49 years and 98% were men. Of all serious and fatal motor accidents in the Netherlands, 40% is a single accident (an accident in which no other road user is involved). In the case of the other serious motor accidents, motorists in particular are the counterparty.

 

The state of the engine and of the road only plays an identifiable role in a small part of the motor accidents. It has not been investigated how big the role of speed is in the origin and impact of motor accidents in the Netherlands. Foreign studies suggest that speed is a more important accident factor in motor accidents than in car accidents. The visibility and prominence of motorcyclists also plays a role in motorcycle accidents. Fluorescent clothing and lighting can improve the visibility of motorcyclists, but mainly the contrast with the environment that increases the safety of motorcyclists.

 

Clothing also plays a role in the outcome of motor accidents. In the event of a motorcycle accident, the motorcycle helmet and proper motorcycle clothing protect the motorcyclist from injuries. In the Netherlands, almost all motorcyclists wear helmets and motorcycle reflective clothing.

 

In order to further improve the safety of motorcyclists, the technical / intelligent vehicle developments for the car are followed with interest. However, it is not yet easy to adapt ITS systems for the car to the engine. The use of ABS (anti-lock braking system) on engines probably reduced the number of motor accidents. Education can also have a positive effect: research into the one-day advanced driving course (VRO) of the Dutch motorcyclist association (KNMV) has shown that this has a positive effect on safe driving and hazard perception of motorcyclists. However, in the majority of the evaluations of (continued) driving training for motorcyclists, no effect is found on crash involvement and offenses.

Northwave winter jacket uses reflective fabric

Summer really starts and Northwave is already wearing a new winter coat. The Italian brand is rightly proud of the new DV stretch membrane in the Arctic Reflective Jacket.

 

After a hopefully fantastic bike summer, you have to prepare yourself again for a cold Belgian winter. Northwave wants to respond to this through a new collaboration with event fabrics. The Italian manufacturer will use the latest event membrane technology, called DV stretch, in the Northwave Arctic Jacket, which will be on the market in October.

 

The Arctic Jacket offers protection and comfort thanks to the windproof DV stretch membrane, which is used in the three-layer BP Puma laminate from ITTTAI, which is exclusively able to make fabrics with DV stretch technology. The BP Puma laminate covers the entire front and back of the jacket to provide good protection from the wind, to breathe and to stay elastic. The reflective fabric can stretch 35% and return completely to the original state. In addition, Northwave uses Lombardi fabric, a very soft and open material, under the arms to better match the body.

 

DV stretch uses event’s Direct Venting (DV) technology, which means that the membrane is air-permeable and has a porous structure so that heat and sweat can pass directly through the membrane. Moreover, DV stretch is windproof and water-repellent. “This combination of benefits is ideal for aerobic sports such as cycling,” says Chad Kelly, Global Product Manager at event fabrics. “Cyclists generate a lot of heat and moisture that has to be removed quickly by clothing, but they also need essential protection from wind and weather.”

 

The Arctic Jacket is in the ‘Be Visible Be Safe’ collection from Northwave, which is designed for maximum visibility and safety, which is especially important when the days are getting shorter and it is faster dark, foggy or rainy. There are also reflective Pixel details in the jacket. This unique technology allows reflective elements to be printed directly onto the fabric so that a larger part of the jacket can reflect. They are also softer than normal reflective elements. They are in this jacket on the neck collar, the sleeves and back.

Volunteer in yellow vest growth at neighborhood prevention

Nowadays you see it everywhere, signs with neighborhood prevention, or neighborhood group to deter potential ‘gear’. The volunteers of neighborhood prevention in yellow vest, together with the local community police officers and BOA’s held a walking tour through the village on Tuesday evening.

 

A group of about ten people gathers in the Lantern. All of them can be recognized from afar by their clothing, reflective vests with neighborhood prevention on them and blue uniforms with large white letters that spell HANDAVING. Only the local police officers are dressed in civilian clothes, but that also makes them stand out more quickly.

 

Neighborhood prevention

The evening is dedicated to neighborhood prevention, to bring residents and to inform them about safety in the neighborhood. Only the heat and problems with the ‘advertising’ ensure that no one comes to mind. However, those present did not get out of the way and the evening turns into an extra training for the neighborhood prevention members.

 

The two community police officers in safety vest, Fred van Postal and Johan Damen, supervise the group. In every possible situation, an explanation is given about what can happen or how they would act. For example, the group stops a few times at a car where the window is open or an easy access a burglar can use. Yet Perry Sep, coordinator of the volunteer group, had hoped for more participants. It is just very important for the neighborhood and we would have liked to see more ‘potential members”, says Sep. The group now consists of 26 volunteers, all help is welcome and we can use it well. ”

 

The local police and the BOAs would also like to have seen more people. According to them, neighborhood prevention has become almost indispensable. ,, They are extra eyes in the field, ” said the local boarder. “We, the local police and I, are only three of us. It is impossible to keep an eye on everything. Those extra eyes are then just very important for our work. ”

 

Johan, community agent Snit, noticed how important this aid could be, shortly after setting up the group. “Less than 24 hours after the group app was in the air, someone had reported a pencil vendor in the area. 20 minutes later the conscious man was sitting in the van in the direction of the desk”, says Damien. So you see how important a neighborhood prevention can be, that is great!” That is mainly the task of neighborhood prevention. That is also the reason why I do this, you do something about it ”, says Marian in reflective clothing. “Everyone complains about everything, or they sometimes see what happens. However, it often stops there. You can also choose to do something with it.

 

Of all neighborhood prevention groups in the municipality of Ruche, that of Snit is the youngest of the couple. It started as a very small club of five or six men. It took more than a year before it slowly grew, “says the coordinator of the group. However, it is still difficult to recruit new members in the village.” According to the group, you should not make it bigger than it is. We only signal and help to make the neighborhood a little safer, but we are not scapegoats.”

Victims without safety vest at transition to wintertime

The transition to wintertime costs more deaths and serious injuries annually, especially among pedestrians without wear reflective vest, according to Belgian research. This weekend it is dark an hour earlier at the start of the winter season. We give you tips to prevent accidents in the dark or at dusk:

 

Pedestrians

It is vitally important that you are clearly visible as a pedestrian. Choose reflective clothing. This makes you better noticed by motorists. You can already see up to 150 meters with reflective clothing. With dark clothing, car drivers only see you from 20 meters. Look extra good when crossing. Due to the light from the headlights, it is often difficult to make eye contact. Be sure that the driver stops when you cross. Having priority does not mean that you also get this.

 

Cyclists

Check your bike. Bicycles have reflectors and lighting. Check that all reflective material are on the bike and that the lighting is working. You will find all cycling requirements in our checklist. You can also stand out with clothing: In case of rain, twilight and in the dark, bright or light-colored clothing is the best. In the case of fog during the day, you see dark-colored clothing the best. Reflective strips also help to stand out better.

Do you have children? Discuss at home how you can stand out in traffic. Make, for example, see the rebus with your child, and be seen!

 

Motorists

Try to drive more slowly near pedestrian crossings. As a driver, you should always be able to stop for each crossing. It is always possible that a pedestrian does not have a good view of what is coming or is distracted. A pedestrian without safety vest can hide behind another pedestrian. If you stop to cross a pedestrian, it is advisable to look before you go to see if there is no other pedestrian.

Three quarters of poorly lit cyclists in town

Cycling may be a healthy, silent and non-polluting means of transportation, but its practice entails risks that can be partly avoided thanks to good safety equipment. A recent study unfortunately shows that this is not the case: three quarters of cyclists are poorly lit at night.

 

A recent survey conducted by the Road Safety Association and the MMA insurer raises a major problem in the world of urban cycling. The study took place between January and March last in 11 French cities including Paris and the result is not glorious: three cyclists out of 4 have a luminous device absent or defective and thus increase their risks of serious accident.

 

City lighting is often enough to see but the cyclist does not think enough to be seen. On average, 13% of cyclists are equipped with accessories to optimize their visibility and only 1 in 10 wear a helmet. However, bicycle lighting is mandatory as well as a reflective safety vest (off-agglomeration). This equipment is essential for the safety of the cyclist because it allows him to be visible on 150 meters against 30 meters without accessories.

 

So do not forget that cycling can be dangerous, motorists do not necessarily pay attention to cyclists and often do not even see them, that’s why it is important to mark your presence on the road. In 2012, 155 cyclists unfortunately lost their lives in a car accident and 20% of them were driving in the middle of the night and without wearing any reflective material.

Preventive examination on the two-wheelers of the students

At College, Thursday was dedicated to prevention and safety. The gendarmes in safety clothing carried out checks to inform their owners of the defective two-wheelers. An unexpected controls of the two-wheelers, Thursday early in the morning, by four gendarmes, somewhat surprised the students of the College Fleuron.

 

Adjutant commander of the Amoles brigade of the Retirement COB, accompanied by Franck Isabelle, volunteer deputy constable (GAV), and two gendarmes of the Retirement COB, thus verified various points safety of a dozen two-wheelers (bicycles and scooters): lighting, brakes, tires, reflective devices, audible alarms as well as mirrors, exhaust, helmet for two-wheeled motor. During this audit, Isabelle Boucher, principal of the colleges of the canton of Plumbers, and her principal assistant, were present.

 

The purpose of this operation is to allow young college students to talk about it later and be more cautious.

 

There were very few anomalies noted. From year to year, this kind of operation renewed at the beginning of the school year begins to bear fruit; as the day and time are never communicated in advance, the users of two-wheelers are attentive.

 

The non-compliant points were noted on a card, given to the students to have them sign to the parents, asking to quickly do what is necessary for their two-wheelers to comply with the regulations. Some lighting defects in the front and rear, or reflective devices and brakes were noted. The gendarmes took advantage of the operation to encourage college students to wear a yellow reflective vest and a helmet.

 

Make people aware of the dangers

This preventive action and advice are very useful during this autumnal period for the safety of schoolchildren: it is a bit of a reminder to tell young people that riding my bike or scooter can not be improvised. “Today, no verbalization, this is not the goal, we just want to make young people aware of the dangers of traveling with a machine that is not up to safety standards,” said adjutant Chard. In the afternoon, accompanied by the GAV Franck Isabelle, he also spoke with the two classes of the 3rd to raise awareness about the dangers of the Internet and develop for one hour: “On the internet, your words should be reasoned”, a declared in preamble the commander of the Amoles brigade.

Reflective jacket optimize your presence on the road at night

To optimize your presence on the road at night or in dark weather, Lead Wear offers its MK1 jacket, which will suit all those wishing to travel by bike. Since September 1, wearing a reflective vest is mandatory at night or by insufficient visibility out of town. The Conceal approved this measure after a finding that showed that 20% of bicycle users were killed or injured at night, at dawn or at dusk. That is why we wanted to test an effective and original product to pedal the night safely.

 

Indeed, the winter days are short and when leaving school or work it is sometimes difficult to train or go home by bike, to relax, and do his daily activity. Lead Wear products are not just reflective vests; they combine both a reflective fabric and LEDs that greatly enhance your presence on the road. Motorists will see you from a distance and will not be surprised. We will share with you our feelings about this jacket that will illuminate your night outings by bike…

 

Technical characteristics:

The Led Wear MK1 jacket has two strips of ten LEDs, white at the front and red at the back, with 3 lighting functions: slow flash, fast flash and continuous lighting. Therefore, you can choose the way you want to be seen! The ten LEDs have impressive lighting power for a power supply with three simple RLC batteries. Its neon yellow fabric on the front, sleeves and lower back accentuating visibility. This jacket does not look like a simple fluorescent vest that is mandatory in your cars, its design and perfectly studied for use for cycling. A net in black mesch allowing a good evacuation of perspiration ventilates the back. A back pocket closed by a zip will allow you to store portable tools, and why not take spare batteries just in case. The Led Wear MK1 comes in four sizes: S, M, L and XL.

 

This jacket is comfortable to wear and offers a feeling of increased security when you are driving at night or at night. To change the lighting mode it is necessary to open the jacket because it is difficult to access the button placed inside. We preferred to ride with the permanent light mode, which does not distract motorists. Removable raglan sleeves can be easily removed with the zip. We find that rolling with the sleeves removed is more pleasant because the fabric tends to make us sweat if we use this jacket for training. Nevertheless, this fabric has a windproof power that is still not negligible. The jacket does not float; the finish at the waist by elastic prevents the air from coming down.

 

In conclusion:

The test of the Led Wear MK1 has proved to be very pleasant and we think that many people may be interested in a jacket like this. During the test, a cyclist stopped us to ask us where we could get this kind of reflective jacket. To optimize your presence at night on the roads, it will be perfect for the simple person wishing to travel by bike (contributing to sustainable development) but also competitors frustrated with not being able to ride the day or wishing to lengthen their outings. Its price is very correct: 54.90 Euros (batteries not included).

 

Road safety: Cuff requirement with reflective tape

A few weeks after the IRB, things are becoming clearer for bikers and scooters. No vest to wear, no fluorescent either, but an armband is equip. The CNSR suspends the obligation to wear mandatory permanent retro-reflective motorcycle and scooter. An update on the legislation of retro-reflective material on motorbikes and scooters is announced.

 

Among the 18 measures of the last IRB (Interdepartmental Committee on Road Safety), 1 made a big noise: “Drivers of motorcycles and tricycles will have to wear retro-reflective equipment. “Many wanted to see the obligation to wear a fluorescent yellow vest. It is true that, as we said then, the wording was rather vague. A few days later, it was more a question of wearing equipment equipped with retro-reflective elements on a few square centimeters, without specifying the exact size. Today, the speech has changed, and everything will go through a “simple” armband.

 

The information came from RTL and was relayed by our colleagues Moto: Michele Merle (landed since) evoked then an armband. Here are some details on this subject. The device in question must be retro-reflective and visible from the front, from the back, and from both sides. It will therefore be necessary to wear an armband on the left, but also on the right! However, this cuff should not necessarily be fluorescent, but only retro-reflective; the phobic’s of the “yellow building site” will be relieved. And as some black textiles can be retro reflective, if a manufacturer decides to release an armband matching future standards remaining sober in broad daylight, his fortune is assured. We expect of course the publication of the decrees, but according to our information, worn armbands should measure 3 centimeters in width, be retro-reflective over their entire surface, and surround the arm. To our knowledge, as long as the jackets are not equipped, this leaves the choice between the elastic cuffs and the RIBs. In any case, it will be necessary to be careful not to lose them when one removes his jacket.

 

Some will be skeptical about the usefulness of the device, including its mandatory daytime character when a retro-reflective tape is only effective at night. Anyway, when the text comes into application, not wearing these armbands should be punished by 2 points less (and 68 €). But before rushing to equip you, wait until the norm is clearly established, because it is a safe bet that some unscrupulous will ride the “fear of the fine” to propose in advance sold armbands at low prices and who may well not protect you from the Forces of the Order.

 

We contacted the manufacturers, who told us that they would soon offer these armbands in their catalogs, the time for them to adapt their ranges. In addition, if some had taken the lead with detachable cuffs, this innovation involved only the left arm, which will be insufficient in the eyes of the law anyway.