At Wheels to Work, we are constantly looking out for our customers. Therefore, we always recommend our riders wear the appropriate gear when out and about. Whether it’s a trip to the shops or to work, you should never underestimate the importance of protective clothing.
Legally, a person only needs to wear a helmet but we think you can never be too careful. From your head to your toes, a rider should always feel safe and comfortable. Otherwise, not only will you be running the risk of injury, you also won’t be able to enjoy yourself.
In this post, we will outline all the clothing and gear that we can offer you, as well as exactly why you should be wearing them on your journeys.
Helmet
Without a doubt, this is the most important gear you can own. It’s a legal requirement for a reason and would undoubtedly save your life in an accident.
Statistically, your head is the easiest part of your body to injure in a collision. Studies show that riders who wear helmets are twice as likely to survive a crash than those who don’t.
The law states that they must meet or exceed the following British safety standards:
- British Standard BS 6658:1985 and carry the BSI Kitemark.
- UNECE Regulation 22.05.
- A European Economic Area member standard offering at least the same safety and protection as BS 6658:1985. It must also carry a mark equivalent to the BSI Kitemark.
There is also something called the SHARP rating system (Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme). This ranks helmets on a 1-5 scale (1 being lowest but still conforming to safety standards) and is there to help the customer make an informed decision upon choosing a helmet.
In addition, a helmet also protects your eyes and face from wind, weather, and any potential road debris.
Ultimately, this is not a guidance for you to follow; this is the law. If you want to hire from us, you will need to own a helmet. We can provide you with one for around £50, which can either be paid upfront or spread across your hire.
Anyone caught not wearing one by the police will receive a fine of up to £500. Don’t be silly, it’s simple – wear a helmet!
Jacket
Whilst it may not be a legal requirement, a jacket is an important part of the rider’s wardrobe. It offers protection from both injuries if you were to crash and also harsh weather/conditions.
A proper motorcycle jacket will come fitted with armour in the shoulders and elbows. These are the areas that will take on the highest impact in an accident.
The armour in this clothing is designed to help prevent abrasions and burns that come with falling off your scooter. Wearing no protection in these areas will result in some, to put it lightly, seriously painful bumps and bruises.
At Wheels to Work, we can also provide you with a back protector; optional but we highly recommend. Putting a Hi-Viz vest over the top of your jacket is also a good idea, as this can aid other drivers’ visibility of you on the road in all conditions.
Jackets are not only ideal for safety reasons, but they also assist the rider in bad weather or long journeys. It’s worthwhile to spend that little bit extra for quality clothing; distraction through discomfort is one of the easiest ways to cause a crash.
Gloves
If you were to come off your scooter, guess what normally hits the ground first – your hands. It’s a natural response to put your arms out in the event of a fall.
Asphalt is an unforgiving surface and, even if you hit it at a slow speed, you can still sustain a bad injury.
Armoured gloves have extra protection around the knuckles, fingers and palm that help with many things:
- Your grip, and therefore your handling of the bike while riding. This is especially useful on longer journeys.
- Little injuries like cuts and scrapes.
- Absorbing impact during bigger injuries that can occur in an accident.
- Protecting your hands from harsh weather.
Boots
Wearing the appropriate footwear can make all the difference if you want to walk away from an accident; quite literally.
Firstly, we have a tendency as riders to use our feet for balance when bringing the scooter to a halt. The right boots can offer you traction and, if you do lose your balance, sticking a boot out is much more effective than a sandal or sneaker.
In the event of a crash, a good boot offers your ankle and feet full support as these can twist and turn with a variety of force. Boots are designed to protect these parts of your body much better than a pair of casual shoes.
As a minimum, you should always ride in closed shoes or boots, and not open shoes like sandals. Whether it be debris or the ground, your feet face a lot of action during a ride. If a stone were to flick up and hit your foot in a flip-flop, would you be able to concentrate on the road ahead? If you hit the ground at 30mph, do you think a flip-flop could withstand the impact?
With things so vital to how we live day-to-day, we believe it is worth taking the necessary precautions.
In Conclusion…
As you can see outlined above, the right set of clothing and gear goes a long way for even the most casual of riders. Safety should be everyone’s primary concern, as well as the safety of others on the road too.
At Wheels to Work, we can provide you with everything you need. Just let the team know your size and measurements during the application process and we’ll help get you kitted out.
Wheels to Work
Are you looking for a way to get back to work? Do you need an affordable and convenient transport solution?
Wheels to Work provides 50cc and 125cc scooter hire in Northants, Bucks, Beds, Berks, Warks, Leics and Oxon to support you getting to and from your place of work.
If transport is restricting you actively seeking employment, training, or an apprenticeship, or you work anti-social hours, then hiring a scooter gives you independence and opportunity.
Training and protective clothing can be provided with the scooter too.
For further details, please call 01327 857213 or email info@wheelstowork.net. If you’d like to go ahead and apply, click here.
