Florida Bikers Encouraged To Ride Proud, Dress Loud

Posted on July 26, 2008

Expect to see motorcyclists in bright chartreuse jeans riding down the highway.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and the Florida Rider Training Program have launched a statewide “Motorcycle Conspicuity Campaign” to promote motorcycle visibility.

The departments are encouraging risers to “Ride Proud/ Dress Loud.” The ad material shows a biker with chartreuse chaps on that match his motorcycle. Another has a bright yellow slicker and a corresponding canary yellow Harley.

The state will put on a presentation in Orlando and one in Tampa at the end of August.

Bikers are encouraged to wear brightly colored upper-torso apparel and reflective gear on their clothing, along with vibrant-color decals on the motorcycle. Typically riders wear black, grey beige or other nondescript color, which are difficult to see.

That’;s the number one complaint of motorists who hit and kill motorcyclists every year — they didn’;t see them.

This move is designed to make motorcyclist more visible or conspicuous so they are less likely to have their right-of-way violated.

According to the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, in 2007 there were 550 motorcycle fatalities in the state and nearly 9,000 injuries involving motorcycles.

In 2006, there were 521 motorcyclists killed and nearly 8,000 injured.

Florida counties with the highest number of fatalities in 2006 include: Miami-Dade, Broward, Hillsborough, Volusia, Orange, Palm Beach, Brevard, Pinellas, Duval and Polk respectively.

Interestingly, the Florida Highway Patrol has no plans to follow its own advice. FHP officers will continue to wear taupe colored uniforms and ride black and tan bikes — the very colors they suggest bikers avoid wearing while riding.

We hope the move dramatically reduces the number of fatalities on our highways.

We hope you don’;t need us, but if you do we are here, or visit the Motorcycle Accident section of our web site to have some of your questions about accidents answered.