Cycling UK Forum

There are quite a few cyclists at work and a current concern is the requirement to wear Hi-Viz at all times. We are all provided with a vest for our use, but concern is over wearing this over cycling clothing for reasons of likely to produce discomfort for reason of heat, also because of its tendency to flap when open/ act like an air brake when closed and restrict freedom of movement. There has been considerable discussion on this and the line is that garment conforming to EN471 class 2 or 3 MUST BE WORN.

I have just done a search on EN471 to find a definition of this standard, without success, all I found was traders of workwear. So all I know is that it is this sickly flourescent yellow with broad reflective strips across the shoulders and around the waist.

At first I thought that my Altura Dryliner jacket met this definition, but now I doubt it and with winter receding and summer approaching, my thoughts turn to long sleeved and short sleeved tops, of which mine certainly don't. . The only conforming wear that I can find is not conducive to good cycling. I checked out the CTC shop, also several others and although Hi-Viz/nightwear/rainwear type garments are indicated, (e.g. Craft Activity Safety Vest + Silva L4 light Twin Pack) none of them specify EN471.

So, does anyone know of any suitable solution to this dilemma. Is there such a thing as a shirt that meets this spec and is comfortable to wear?

Quite a lot of protective clothing firms do a flo-yellow tee shirt with the reflective stripes that complies with the standard. I have one, although when I just looked, they are no longer available from where I bought it.

I think the problem is that hi-viz stuff fades with washing (as well as exposure to daylight.) With some sort of waistcoat, you only need wash it when it's dirty. With a shirt worn as a shirt, it's going to need much more frequent washing.

I just rang up Evans Cycles and completely befuddled the trying to be helpful gentleman on the other end. He did suggest wearing one of those belts with the shoulder strap over a yellow jersey. Apart from the irritation of it constantly slipping off the shoulder, I somehow doubt that combining two items would be acceptable. There has been considerable discussion about this; yes I could carry my vest in my bag and put it on at the gate, but I dont want to risk (a) forgetting to bring it (b) being rear-ended by the following motorist as he is distracted by rummaging in the glove compartment for his pass. The feeling is that nobody wants to wear the company issue vests home because we don't want to draw attention to ourselves.

I don't understand the context. Do you cycle *for* work, or simply to work? I'm assuming the former since there's no way that your employer can make you wear anything whether you walk, cycle or drive in a private capacity. In which case, I'm afraid you may just need to suck it up and wear whatever complies with the standards they require.

As an alternative to a high-viz t-shirt (which I'd have thought you'd need a few of to allow for washing!) I think you can get mesh ones which have better ventilation than the standard 'boil in the bag' offering.

Alan D wrote:... I have just done a search on EN471 to find a definition of this standard, without success, ...

In with a lot more, there's a definition here, if you scroll down

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-visibility_clothing

Briefly, it has to look like the hi-viz togs worn by utility workers etc. (That's because their togs are made to comply with the standard.)

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PS Another drawback with the tee shirt idea is that they tend to cost about £20-00, with a standard hi-viz waistcoat from a trade supplier coming in at under a fiver.
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Alan D wrote:.... The feeling is that nobody wants to wear the company issue vests home because we don't want to draw attention to ourselves.

Yes - I could see a real risk of that happening - although there is another view often expressed on here that they make no difference...... Come to think of it, I'm not too sure why something hi-viz from say Evans, would be less likely to draw attention to the wearer

A couple of thoughts spring to mind
-- If you can get into Macro - they usually have a wide selection of 'interesting' designs for Hi-Vis clothing - I bought a Polo shirt from them a few years back which had all the marking for compliance. Equally there are a number of 'almost-High-Street' shops that do Hi-Vis, often as a sideline to other protective gear.
-- Secondly I think the Polaris RBS range of Jacket and Gilet is EN471 marked or compliant - this is cycling specific clothing.
-- Thirdly, I wonder if the recent change to the French law requiring cyclists to wear compliant Hi-Vis outside of towns has spawned any other cycling specific Hi-Vis clothing. My French might be up to asking, but I don't know of any suitable forums etc to ask the question!

Having said all that, I wear a bog-standard Hi-Vis vest on my commuter which I got from http://www.hivis.net/c1/Hi-Vis-Jackets with no problem at all (The one I wear is at http://www.hivis.net/330/High-Visibilit ... or-Orange/ )

In a hurry now, but yes there is a lot of quite suitable workwear that meeets these official standards. Hardest bit is the jackets. The ones worn by policemen or road workers are often quite good goretex jackets, but heavy, and without a cycling specific cut.
And yes the French law is having an effect. If you were to brush up on your French and search French websites you will seen a rapidly increasing number of cycling specific gear that meets the required standard. There is one caveat, however: the standards imposed by French law are for non professional use, and less demanding than the workwear standards.
Willem

You can buy the standard from the BSI shop, if you have £124 to spare .
http://shop.bsigroup.com/en/ProductDeta ... 0030143335

A number of comapies make EN471 compliant T shirts and polo shirts.
http://www.dickiesstore.co.uk/workwear/search/en471//

Dickies safety shorts??
oo er missus!
http://www.dickiesstore.co.uk/workwear/ ... SA35030/0/

I had a look at the Dickies site, looks encouraging. I like the shorts. If they do socks & pants as well I could really go the whole hog ::lol:
Think I'll post it on the bike forum at work and see what everyone else thinks.

One of the pics that was sunk without trace along with my gallery when the form changed was a pic of a hi-viz kilt. Just the job for any nationalists wanting a higher profile - I see Dickies don't do them. perhaps just as well.

PS I've salvaged this, if it comes out, so to speak

thirdcrank wrote:

Mick F wrote: Not got a kilt though.

I thought you were getting one of these:

I'm beginning to understand what Edinburgh Fixed has against hi viz togs, especially on a recumbent.

The French seem to be mostly supplying stuff to the lower EN1150 rather than to the spec you require - EN471 cl 1 or 2 - ( la norme EN 1150 : Vêtements de protection - Vêtements de visualisation à utilisation non professionnelle) it's worth noting that this website states that the legal requirment for the reflectives that need to be carried by drivers must be to EN471 http://www.sports-sante.com/index.php/t ... nalisation

FFCT Gilet to EN1150 http://www.fco-cyclo-vtt.fr/articles.php?lng=fr&pg=169 available (apparently to buy) on the FFCT web site at http://www.ffct.org/index.php?id=253 (Pity the 75Euro one is 75Euro as it sounds like a well designed product, but not at that price!)

Here are some interesting interpretations of the rules - again claiming to be EN1150 compliant: http://www.ekoi.fr/textiles-securite.php and here http://www.l2s-shop.com/product_info.php?products_id=47 (or here if this link works http://www.l2s-shop.com/index.php?cPath ... 914efb795f

See as well http://www.lefluo.fr/vmchk/vetements-re ... duits.html

There's always (from http://www.velotaf.com/lofiversion/index.php/t6961.html with lots of links and some err.... interesting photos)

Well it kept me amused looking for this lot - and good avoidance tactics for not doing my next French assignment that's due in a couple of weeks!

It would be intersting to see how this is justified.

Several years ago the Post Office was involved in compulsory cycle helmets and the HSE did not back this.

Cycle helmets used on the public highway are specifically excluded from the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at work regulations.

Although employers have general duties under section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) to ensure the health and safety of employees while cycling at work, where more specific laws, such as the Road Traffic Acts, provide the national safety rules for a particular situation (e.g. cycling on the roads), HSE considers that compliance with that law is, in general, sufficient to ensure compliance with the relevant requirements of the HWSA.

Since there is no requirement on cyclists generally to wear cycle helmets when on the road, HSE does not advise that employers insist that helmets be used under health and safety law.

This means that it would be very hard for an employer to force an employee to wear a cycle helmet on health and safety grounds. They are, however, free to require employees to wear cycle helmets as part of their uniform. HSE has no remit to dictate the uniform policy of a company unless it falls within the scope of PPE.

Ultimately the wearing of cycle helmets is a matter of individual choice, and any stance to the contrary could potentially be challenged on Human Rights grounds.

(From www.cyclehelmets.org)

I wonder if when pushed the same would apply to HiViz


My problem would be that I have spent a considerable sum on waterproof s that rely on beading of water and shedding.... an absorbent layer stops this happening and means that I will be wet and cold!

I have a Dickies Hi-Viz Polo shirt in that air tex fabric that I bought from Wickes. The collar is a bit big but I have seen round neck versions since. I sometimes use mine on the commute, the only problem is your sudden attractiveness to every insect between you and your destination. breathe in through the nose!