Motorcycle Helmets Hi-Viz colour

Hi-Viz Helmets

When in traffic, being easily seen by other road users is imperative, and can depend a lot on the choices the rider makes.

Despite the fact that black continues to reign supreme in the motorcycle helmet world, today riders have a wealth of finishes from which to choose, with many of these classified as ‘hi-viz’.

And even if you think that style is non-negotiable, we have to be the voice of reason and highlight the importance of prioritising safety by pointing out that, unfortunately, lack of visibility is the principal factor (but not the only one) in more than 50% of accidents involving a bike and another vehicle.

So for better visibility we can leave the fairy-lights on the Christmas tree and the strobe-lights in the nightclub, and look instead to the excellent range of hi-viz helmets on offer. Plain yellow, orange or fluoro-green, or with decorations that integrate these colours, hi-viz helmets offer you incomparably more visibility than a black helmet. So even if black remains the colour of choice for many motorcycle and scooter riders because of it’s down-to-earth look and ease of maintenance, it is nonetheless in the Antipodes when it comes to visibility.

Shark helmets have pipped everyone else to the post by releasing the first hi-viz full-face helmet with LEDs : the Skwal. When activated, the discreet, see-through bands on the helmet become luminous green and yellow, greatly enhancing the rider’s safety. A plus in terms of design as well as safety.

Don’t forget to also attach your mandatory adhesive reflectors, which again reduce the chances of other motorists not spotting you once the sun's gone down.

In regards to kit, most motorcycle-specific apparel also integrates reflective zones, for example boots and rucksacks.

Being clearly visible is a matter that the rider cannot always control completely, but can influence. It is essential to have strong and clear lights and to ride prudently and pragmatically, and beyond this there is the option to dress to be seen. Word to the wise…