France: Reflective vests mandatory for cyclists starting in Sept.

Short version:
This is really stupid and counter-productive.


***

Long version:

 From www.prettyboring.com:


"Fashion living (we think) legend Karl Lagerfeld put on this nifty 
dayglo vest to promote a French road safety campaign that requires all 
drivers and cyclists to carry reflective vests and a triangle. Traffic 
deaths in France was up 10% from last year, and rather than enforce 
speed limits or DUI laws, those crafty French are making everyone carry 
vests and triangles....


<http://www.prettyboring.com/?q=node/8064>

...The ad reads, /"It's yellow, it's ugly, it doesn't match anything, 
but it can save your life."/ 
<http://www.towleroad.com/2008/06/karl-lagerfeld.html> Of course if an 
inebriated driver comes along they will more than likely "zoom in" on 
your bright reflection, so good luck with that"

Here is another story about it:

<http://www.whytraveltofrance.com/2008/07/02/karl-lagerfeld-and-the-ugly-yellow-vest/>

There are lots more you can find by Googling... in fact I am not 
entirely sure this is not some viral campaign by the relevant French 
ministries.

***

Equating cyclists behaving normally with drivers and their cars stuck on 
the side of the road in unusual or dangerous situations is so completely 
absurd. I have been telling people here in the Czech  Republic to not 
wear vests voluntarily, or pretty soon it will become law. And here we 
go in France. I am curious how the numerous public bicycle programmes in 
France - programmes which have done so much to make cycling safer, more 
than any clothing accessory ever will -  will handle this. People are 
going to carry vests around? There goes spontaneity, /hors la fenêtre!

/And the European Commission is supporting this kind of nonsense... even 
going further. From their Road Safety Charter website:

"Since we moved to a suburban village, we go for walks wearing 
reflective safety vests, and our dog wears reflective elements. The 
neighbours tell us that our good visibility convinced them to wear 
reflective vests when they go for walks, ride bikes or drive cars. We 
have given several reflective vests to neighbours, cyclists and 
schools." Maria Maciewicz-Talarczyk, Poland

<http://www.paueducation.com/charter/index.php?page=doc&doc_id=1224&doclng=2&menuzone=11>

Walking?

Boycott countries which make helmets and/or vests mandatory for cyclists 
at the national level:
Signatories:
1. Todd Edelman
2.
3.
4...


***

So... what is the state of cycling in places where vests are required? 
Even if it is increasing in modal share... are vests.... putting the 
brakes on it? How is state of walking?

-- 
--------------------------------------------

Todd Edelman
Director
Green Idea Factory

Korunni 72
CZ-10100 Praha 10
Czech Republic

Skype: toddedelman
++420 605 915 970
++420 222 517 832

[email protected]
http://greenideafactory.blogspot.com/
www.flickr.com/photos/edelman

Green Idea Factory is a member of World Carfree Network
www.worldcarfree.net

CAR is over. If you WANT it.


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