{"id":2775,"date":"2016-06-27T07:00:34","date_gmt":"2016-06-26T18:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/?p=2775"},"modified":"2020-01-21T07:33:37","modified_gmt":"2020-01-20T18:33:37","slug":"high-visibility-equipment-for-motorbike-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/high-visibility-equipment-for-motorbike-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"High visibility equipment for motorbike safety"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>With a smaller size and profile, motorcyclists and cyclists are much less visible than cars and heavy vehicles, especially in low light and at night. Equipment designed to improve visibility is readily available, though, even if the bike itself is dark.<\/p>\n<h2>High-visibility helmets<\/h2>\n<p>A bright-coloured helmet makes a huge difference, and you can get them in white or yellow. Remember to purchase your helmet based on the best rating from either <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/helmet-crash-testing-choosing-the-safest-helmet\/\">SHARP or CRASH<\/a> to give you the most protection in an accident.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2776\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/high-visibility-motorbike-helmet.jpg\" alt=\"high visibility motorbike helmet\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/high-visibility-motorbike-helmet.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/high-visibility-motorbike-helmet-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/high-visibility-motorbike-helmet-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/choosing-motorbike-protective-clothing\/\">Jackets, gloves and pants<\/a> are also available in day-glo colours or with reflective strips.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1869\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/motorbike-jacket.jpg\" alt=\"reflective motorbike jacket\" width=\"347\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/motorbike-jacket.jpg 347w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/motorbike-jacket-300x259.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 347px) 100vw, 347px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Illuminated or reflective bands<\/h2>\n<p>Reflective bands and light waistcoats can be bought for <a href=\"http:\/\/www.dx.com\/s\/reflective?category=720\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">as little as a few dollars<\/a>, and LED technology is now available to give bright, illuminated clothing which is rechargeable using USB. These can be worn around the shoulders.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s important to not project red light forwards or white light rearwards.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2777\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/relfective-belts.jpg\" alt=\"relfective belts\" width=\"444\" height=\"340\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/relfective-belts.jpg 444w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/relfective-belts-300x230.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 444px) 100vw, 444px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>There are even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lightmodehelmets.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">retrofit kits for your helmet<\/a> to make you look like you are in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0084827\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tron<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_6410\" style=\"width: 560px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6410\" class=\"size-large wp-image-6410\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/lightmode-helmet-600x381.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"349\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/lightmode-helmet-600x381.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/lightmode-helmet-300x191.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/lightmode-helmet-768x488.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/lightmode-helmet.jpg 914w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-6410\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Illuminated strips around the helmet make it more visible<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>Adding lights and reflectors to your motorbike<\/h2>\n<p>Aftermarket options are available to enhance your numberplate. Some come with integrated indicators. Motorcycles are only allowed one pair of rear indicators so you will need to disable\/remove the existing indicators if you add better aftermarket ones. You&#8217;ll need to have some tools to install them, or you can take them to a motorbike repair shop to have them fitted.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2778\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/number-plate-light-strip.jpg\" alt=\"motorbike safety numberplate light\" width=\"502\" height=\"335\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/number-plate-light-strip.jpg 502w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/number-plate-light-strip-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 502px) 100vw, 502px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Lights can also be installed on panniers or saddlebags &#8211; this shows a rear-facing red light.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2779\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/motorbike-light-strip.jpg\" alt=\"motorbike light strip\" width=\"522\" height=\"491\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/motorbike-light-strip.jpg 522w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/motorbike-light-strip-300x282.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 522px) 100vw, 522px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>There are some rules around fitting extra lights to your motorbike. This is from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzta.govt.nz\/resources\/get-your-lights-right\/get-your-lights-right\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NZTA<\/a>:<\/p>\n<p><em>You may fit additional main beam headlamps (driving lamps) as long as you don\u2019t have more than the maximum allowed for that type of vehicle. All vehicles except motorcycles may have up to four main beam headlamps (motorcycles may have up to two).<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Motorcycles can also have up to two stop lamps, \u00a0and\u00a0one or two front position lamps and one or two rear position lamps.<\/p>\n<p>Reflective tape can also be useful on wheels and body panels.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2781\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/reflective-wheel-tape.jpg\" alt=\"reflective wheel tape\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/reflective-wheel-tape.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/reflective-wheel-tape-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Cosmetic lights (neons)<\/h2>\n<p>There are rules around putting cosmetic neon lights on your motorbike. They are excellent to improve visibility but generally must face downwards and not be confusing to other motorists. They are mainly used to decorate a vehicle and come in a range of colours such as green, blue and purple. There are no manufacturing standards as they are not specifically designed to serve a safety function.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2780\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/neon-lights-motorbike.jpg\" alt=\"neon lights motorbike\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/neon-lights-motorbike.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/neon-lights-motorbike-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>You can ensure that your cosmetic lamps are legal by checking out the <a href=\"http:\/\/vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz\/virms\/in-service-wof-and-cof\/motorcycles\/lighting\/cosmetic-lamps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">cosmetic lights WoF guidelines<\/a> for inspectors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With a smaller size and profile, motorcyclists and cyclists are much less visible than cars and heavy vehicles, especially in low light and at night. Equipment designed to improve visibility is readily available, though, even if the bike itself is<span class=\"ellipsis\">&hellip;<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/high-visibility-equipment-for-motorbike-safety\/\">Read more &#8250;<\/a><\/div>\n<p><!-- end of .read-more --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2781,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2775","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advice","category-motorbike"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2775","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2775"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2775\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21904,"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2775\/revisions\/21904"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2781"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2775"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2775"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2775"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}