What a waste of money

[Momz]

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/michigan-state-police-announce-giveaway-of-9000-highvisibility-vests-for-motorcyclists/32102982

[Pepmyster]

Wow, I wish they would do that here, I think, personally, that it is great thing to do.

[Momz]

REALLY!!!!

Well then, come to MI, take a $25 rider class and get a $38 Hi-VIZ yellow vest.

What type of fool would think that HI-VIZ replaces "looking out for distracted drivers texting".

[sandy]

I can't believe you're an ABATE member and think this is a waste of money. I recently spent a bundle on a new Tourmaster Hi Vis yellow mesh coat. My coworkers ask me to turn off the switch when I walk into the lounge. Then they tell me it's a great color. I ride to work daily year round. Leave the house before 6AM in the dark all winter. Most of the other riders have black leather jackets and a black helmet (if any). Once they're more than 100' away, all I can see is a taillight and sometimes they're small. We wonder why cagers say "I didn't see him". Maybe it's because we camouflage ourselves in the name of some style points down at the bar. My helmets have SOLAS grade reflective tape and the jacket is as mentioned earlier. More lighting is on both bikes as well. I think Michigan should be commended for their commitment to "motorcycle enthusiasts".

[Bighead]

I don't think he is saying it is a bad idea for a rider to wear them I think he is saying it is crazy for the government to spend 250k on vest to hand out at the tax payers expense.

[Momz]

I don't think he is saying it is a bad idea for a rider to wear them I think he is saying it is crazy for the government to spend 250k on vest to hand out at the tax payers expense.

EXACTLY!!!!!

[Jess from VA]

They think 9,000 folks will take a class to get a vest?  (they be smokin' good stuff)

When they give out .357 magnums, I'll take a class.  (PS I already had a couple.... classes)

As far as giveaways go, this one is fairly cheap and for a simple good cause.  

Apologies to all drunken sailors here, but this Federal propensity to give money away that belongs to us needs to stop.  Yeah right.  

Of course, it's not a large step to give away 9,000, then claim that the improved safety is so good, they can't help but to require all riders wear them (with a $1000 fine for forgetting yours).  And the approved vests are only sold by the State, and now cost $100 a copy.

I wear helmets, good gear, have good lights, and good skills.  I'm not wearing bright green yellow clothes.  They can pound them where the sun don't shine. (OSHA has already made every industrial workplace in America look like a clown convention as it is)

A better idea is to make all politicians and federal regulators wear a shirt with a bright green ASSHOLE printed on the back.  This might instill a little sorely needed humility.

[Romeo]

Like absolutely everything the government gets involved in, once again, we have good intentions by unknowing people trying to help out folks that aren't asking for it. Fortunately, this isnt too big of a deal, or too much of a waste. My leather is not for style points, its for protection. I have a mesh jacket with all the armor as well. I love it when I see a truck driver in a semi wearing a dayglow yellow vest, because he spends five minutes a day at a loading dock. ITS A SEMI, FOR GOD SAKE.
I find it rather ironic that all the reflective gear really is only effective in the dark, when my motorcycle is lit up like a Christmas tree.

[Robert]

I understand all the concerns but at least something good finally trickles down to the motorcycle riders. Different things could have been done but hell with the way things are going Ill take any positive action. At least it wasn't spent on doughnuts or any other thing that did not benefit many people and the fact is it would get spent. So what should it have been spent on?

[Serk]

Using the same rationalization that is used to justify things like Obamacare, if this stops just one traumatic accident that the government has to pick up the tab for, it'll easily cover the $250,000 price tag of the project...

(Note - I still don't agree with it, government shouldn't be buying vests OR paying for healthcare, just explaining how one could justify this sort of thing.)

[Bugslayer]

I'm all for it.
It's money well spent compared to the millions spent on feeding the bums on food stamps.

[old2soon]

As long as folks are behind the wheel of a cage ATTEMPTING to drive and generally failing to drive we as Motorcycle riders have to be and remain on a high level of alertness. Figured out a long time ago that on the highways and byways trust NO ONE. I always play-WHAT is the most stupid assed idiotic moronic move THAT cage could possibly make?  Lets just say I'm right more often than not!  And even IF they don't accomplish scenario # 1 they most generally make up with scenario # 2!  I've also noticed more of my P G R brothers and sisters switching-as I have-to high viz gear. BUT I have also seen on P G R missions running with our 4-way flashers on AND a L E O escort-cages still cutting thru our ranks. As to the content of the O P-least ways some money didn't go to making illegals legal.  RIDE SAFE.

[Rams]

Regardless of all the other issues, I'm in support of a rider's right to choose whether to wear a vest and a helmet.   Don't get me wrong, I always wear a helmet and wear the bright colored vest frequently but, I do it because I want to, not because I have to.   

I'm all for the states to enforce the laws they have on books, if they're not going to enforce them, then eliminate them.   I really hate selective enforcement of the legal system.

[Black Pearl's Captain]

REALLY!!!!

Well then, come to MI, take a $25 rider class and get a $38 Hi-VIZ yellow vest.

What type of fool would think that HI-VIZ replaces "looking out for distracted drivers texting".

Damn straight, we all know loud pipes save lives not that hi-viz crap.

[Pepmyster]

At the end of the day over here, to get a motorcycle drivers licence, it is close to 1000$ . I still think it is and was a good gesture.

[da prez]

obummer way of tracking bikers. ????  They will come take the Valks along with the guns and knives.

     I believe in the hi viz clothing. I also belieeve in choice of riding gear.

                       da prez

[DK]

Just the color of my favorite mesh jacked & close to the color of my trike.

I like being seen. Maybe I'm safer that way, I'm sure at least some of the time.

Every little bit helps.

Dan

[Willow]

Sometimes we get so accustomed to bitching at what the gov does that it's more a reflex than a thought out process.

It's not a huge waste of money.  I'm not completely sold on how many collisions it will prevent but someone is.  It does show that someone in the gov is trying to do something effective.

If your numbers on the price and count are accurate it's about three and a half cents for each Michigan resident that someone is choosing to spend for what he or she thinks will help save some motorcycle riders lives.  I likely wouldn't wear one, but were I a Michigander I wouldn't cry about my three and a half cents. 

[paul246]

Sometimes we get so accustomed to bitching at what the gov does that it's more a reflex than a thought out process.

It's not a huge waste of money.  I'm not completely sold on how many collisions it will prevent but someone is.  It does show that someone in the gov is trying to do something effective.

If your numbers on the price and count are accurate it's about three and a half cents for each Michigan resident that someone is choosing to spend for what he or she thinks will help save some motorcycle riders lives.  I likely wouldn't wear one, but were I a Michigander I wouldn't cry about my three and a half cents. 

+1

[Gryphon Rider]

I just need to convince two of my buddies to wear the hi-vis stuff, and I'll ride between them.  I'll be safer, and look even cooler compared to them!

[Firefighter]

Some of you are trying to justify this, crunching numbers, deciding what is not that much money or going for a good cause (one that you yourself support then it's OK). The problem is, the government has no business or right deciding for me what I wear while riding my motorcycle.

I don't believe liberals care about my safety or my health, every time they make a new law or program to help the children, we all loose more of our rights.

We have programs on top of programs and have 15 programs for the same thing. These are not to help your little children, but control us and cause uninformed people to vote a certain way. It's all about power.

If you take time to look into these good intention programs you will see they start small, sound good, and turn into a monster. Read your constitution.  Thanks Firefighter

[Jess from VA]

 

[Willow]

...programs you will see they start small, sound good, and turn into a monster. Read your constitution.  Thanks Firefighter

Firefighter, you caused me to question myself.

I went back and reread my copy of the Constitution.  I didn't find anything prohibiting the government from giving away jackets.

BTW, I didn't see anything in the story that implied the government of Michigan was going to require the wearing of hi-vis.  The military bases already do that.  They didn't when I was in.  I am strongly opposed to the requiring of hi-vis wear by motorcyclists. 

[crow]

The greatest risk to losing rights, is loud pipes!  If  y'all believe that loud pipes save lives, then why don't you just drive with your horn on at all times?

[Firefighter]

yea I cant find a reference to motorcycles or jackets in the constitution. So after reading the constitution do you think the founding fathers wanted the government to make you pay the price for all the wasted money spent on needless programs, give aways, income tax returns for voters with no income, free breakfast and lunch at schools, fines if you dont have health insurance, pay voters not to work, free phones for voters who don't work, bail outs, waste and more waste, oh and free jackets?

[Jess from VA]

As a matter of fact, there is not a word in the Constitution authorizing the spending of money for the general welfare.  Not a word (beyond raising and maintaining an Army, but in no event past two years; and to raise and maintain a Navy).

[hairyteeth]

When I passed the MSF course I recieved a kickstand puck...
Most semi drivers wear high vis because they are in and out of  places requiring them worn while on property.
I didn't read where they were requiring them (high vis) to be worn just given away with a completed pass of the course. HT

[Firefighter]

Says the money came from a federal grant.

[Chrisj CMA]

The main thing that bugs me isint the free vests.  Its not that much money.  And Carl your math is skewed because it came from Federal money that means we all paid for it, not just those in State.  Oh wait a minute......none of us paid for it.  We don't pay for anything anymore, we just put it on a tab......BUT someday if the world lasts a couple few hundred more years maybe it will get paid for.

What always bugs me is the fact that our Federal government keeps taking up causes to fix things that are not broken and are NOT their job while at the same time stonewalling or flat out refusing to do their jobs where action is grossly overdue.  Its also pretty obvious that the person responsible for new programs (many times) know nothing about what they are meddling with.  AND, it seems to cost so freeeking much money for them to do almost nothing.  Then, when they actually sometimes do accomplish something there is never enough money to do it so we have to increase taxes again or borrow more.

[Hooter]

Some of you are trying to justify this, crunching numbers, deciding what is not that much money or going for a good cause (one that you yourself support then it's OK). The problem is, the government has no business or right deciding for me what I wear while riding my motorcycle.

I don't believe liberals care about my safety or my health, every time they make a new law or program to help the children, we all loose more of our rights.

We have programs on top of programs and have 15 programs for the same thing. These are not to help your little children, but control us and cause uninformed people to vote a certain way. It's all about power.



If you take time to look into these good intention programs you will see they start small, sound good, and turn into a monster. Read your constitution.  Thanks Firefighter

As long as you live in a helmeted state the government is making decisions for your safety. Do you live in a state requiring seat belts in your personal vehicle?  Do you wear a seat belt in your working apparatus?  You are governed every day of your personal life by the government for your health and safety. OSHA - NFPA - Risk Management - and insurance companies to name a few dictate what goes on in the fire service.
   

[Firefighter]

I understand and some things do start out as good, but as I said they turn into monsters. You mentioned NFPA National Fire Protection Association. Done a lot of improvements over the years, and have gone overboard. One area is they dictate how long our 1500.00 minimum bunker gear can be used. Was 5 years then 3 years then must be replaced. Depending on the quality (price) can go as long as 5 years again. Don't matter if the gear was ever worn or not just the age. This year we have to start inspecting the gear at least on an annual basis, don't know how often yet. Our department has to send individuals to school to learn how to inspect bunker gear and keep records. They think it will be cheaper to get individuals certified to do our own inspections than to have an outside company do this. Also the gear has to be cleaned professionally  every so often, so it is sent off for a spell, meanwhile we need a second set that complies with NFPA standards for the firefighter to use. The government sends inspectors to check records and bunker gear in this case to make sure regulations are followed. The cost is overwhelming for our small city, and that is only bunker gear. 113 firefighters. 

[Hooter]

  The NFPA is a PIA in our business to be perfectly honest. You know as well as I  do they don't care about budgets (especially when it comes to small departments) and most of their self imposed rules are not based on common sense. Turn out gear has dramatically increased in price over the past 10 years. The quality is much better but the price is outrageous. The quality has changed and is much better than 30 years ago but we pay for it. All I'm saying is we are governed to death and it's on an every day basis. Government is all around us and some of which we take for granted because we've lived with it most of our lives. You stay safe!

[Firefighter]

I agree, you too!

[fudgie]

Im not sold on the hi viz vests. When a mc is coming at you its hard to see the vest. Saw one today and didnt realize he had on a vest till he was stopped 30' from me.

[Hooter]

   High viz all looks good going away, hard to tell the difference coming at you especially with a bunch of light to the front. I like light to the front the best.

[fudgie]

   High viz all looks good going away, hard to tell the difference coming at you especially with a bunch of light to the front. I like light to the front the best.

[Firefighter]

People drive like there's no tomorrow! When I started in the FD 27 years ago drivers would pull to the side of the road to let us pass, now they don't even know were there. The expressways are scary as they pass us at 70 mph. We use the trucks as a barrier and the trucks have been run into before. We had a policeman hit on the expressway while working a wreck about a month ago.
I try hard to ride in the country were there is the least traffic, enjoy a relaxing ride.

[Jess from VA]

I try hard to ride in the country were there is the least traffic, enjoy a relaxing ride.

Yes sir.  

I live in pretty heavy traffic area and just have to suck up an hour out and back (even an hour out has traffic, but way less maniacs).

Went out for a few hours today to scuff in a new tire (traffic everywhere).  Came home, made food, ate, fell asleep in my chair, came upstairs in the dark and opened the window, and it was still almost 70 outside.  Holy moly. I don't do much night riding anymore, but could not pass this up.  Just got back from 2.5 hours riding in full moon.  Ran down to Old Town Alexandria which used to be bike night on Thursdays.  Just late diners and walkers.


Didn't see one drunk, which is rare.  Could be all the cops out.  Rode out of town, and stopped at a light and a nice lady was off the side of the road with flashers.  Asked her if she was in trouble.  She said she just hit a deer, did I see a dead one?  Nope (and I'm looking for the little rascals).  Are you OK?  Yep, but my car isn't, I gotta get a cop for a report (on the Cphone).  OK, I just passed one staked out two miles back.  Turned around to go find him but he was gone.  Motored home.  Midnight and it's still nearly 70.  Man I am digging this retired life.  

[Firefighter]

January 12, 2016 for me. Hope I can adjust!

[Robert]

We all must remember the governments accounting system is if you don't spend it you get less next year. They don't care if you throw out stuff then re buy the same stuff, just as long as you spend the money. That is why its the most inefficient system there is so the motorcycle jackets are good, look its not military equipment spending either.