Where legislation does not protect bikers common sense has to!

Question:

I am doing additional research of on the bike gear across Africa. I know there are certain regulations for Helmets, Hi-Vis, Personal Protective Equipment, etc. all over the world but are there any countries in Africa that have set in stone regulations? If you hear anything or know any useful resource please let me know. Thank you

Answer:

It is a sad fact that in this country (South Africa) you can ride in the nude as long as you have a helmet on your head. You might however be locked up for indecent in public, but there are no set laws stating which riding gear should be worn and when.

It is only compulsory to wear a helmet when out riding a motorcycle in SA. Other countries in Africa are no different and even more relaxed on this matter.

I quote from our National Road Traffic Act & Regulations of 1996 (very outdated)

207. Compulsory wearing of protective helmet

(1) No person shall drive or be a passenger on a motor cycle, motor tricycle or a motor quadrucycle, or be a passenger in the side-car attached to a motor cycle, on a public road, unless he or she is wearing a protective helmet—

(a) which is specially designed for use in connection with such cycle; and

(b) which fits him or her properly and of which the chin strap is properly fastened under the chin.

(2) After expiry of 3 years from the date of commencement of this regulation, no person shall drive or be a passenger on a pedal cycle on a public road unless he or she is wearing a protective helmet which fits him or her properly and of which the chin straps is properly fastened under the chin.

(3) The driver of a motor cycle, motor tricycle, motor quadrucycle or pedal cycle shall ensure that any passenger in or on such cycle who is younger than 14 years, complies with the provisions of subregulation (1) or (2), as the case may be.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulations (1) and (3), the driver and passengers of a motor cycle—

(a) equipped with a seatbelt anchorages that comply with the requirements of standard specification SABS 1430 “Motor vehicle safety – anchorages for restraining devices in motor vehicles”, for the driver and passengers (if any);

(b) the engine of which cannot move unless the driver and passengers (if any), of the motor cycle wears the seatbelt referred to in paragraph (a); and

(c) that complies with the requirements of annex II of the standard specification SABS 1440 “Motor vehicle safety – The steering mechanism of motor vehicles (M1 only) – behaviour on impact, may drive or be passengers on such motor cycle on a public road while not wearing a protective helmet.

By SABS (SA Bureau of Standards) they refer to your D.O.T. and European E.C.E. standards.

This is the only law or regulation on Motorcycle Rider Gear in South Africa. Other guidelines are implemented on local level through motorcycle clubs, safety institutes and riding academies.

I hope this addresses your question.

Regards,

HEIN JONKER | Editor & Chief Instructor

Mobile: 083 7937975 | Office: 031 9038240| Fax: 0866 4898 55

Head Office: Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu Natal

;

Website: www.biketalk.co.za | Blog: www.biketalk.co.za/wp

Where legislation does not protect bikers common sense has to!

Where legislation does not protect bikers common sense has to!

Question:

I am doing additional research of on the bike gear across Africa. I know there are certain regulations for Helmets, Hi-Vis, Personal Protective Equipment, etc. all over the world but are there any countries in Africa that have set in stone regulations? If you hear anything or know any useful resource please let me know. Thank you

Answer:

It is a sad fact that in this country (South Africa) you can ride in the nude as long as you have a helmet on your head. You might however be locked up for indecent in public, but there are no set laws stating which riding gear should be worn and when.

It is only compulsory to wear a helmet when out riding a motorcycle in SA. Other countries in Africa are no different and even more relaxed on this matter.

I quote from our National Road Traffic Act & Regulations of 1996 (very outdated)

207. Compulsory wearing of protective helmet

(1) No person shall drive or be a passenger on a motor cycle, motor tricycle or a motor quadrucycle, or be a passenger in the side-car attached to a motor cycle, on a public road, unless he or she is wearing a protective helmet—

(a) which is specially designed for use in connection with such cycle; and

(b) which fits him or her properly and of which the chin strap is properly fastened under the chin.

(2) After expiry of 3 years from the date of commencement of this regulation, no person shall drive or be a passenger on a pedal cycle on a public road unless he or she is wearing a protective helmet which fits him or her properly and of which the chin straps is properly fastened under the chin.

(3) The driver of a motor cycle, motor tricycle, motor quadrucycle or pedal cycle shall ensure that any passenger in or on such cycle who is younger than 14 years, complies with the provisions of subregulation (1) or (2), as the case may be.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulations (1) and (3), the driver and passengers of a motor cycle—

(a) equipped with a seatbelt anchorages that comply with the requirements of standard specification SABS 1430 “Motor vehicle safety – anchorages for restraining devices in motor vehicles”, for the driver and passengers (if any);

(b) the engine of which cannot move unless the driver and passengers (if any), of the motor cycle wears the seatbelt referred to in paragraph (a); and

(c) that complies with the requirements of annex II of the standard specification SABS 1440 “Motor vehicle safety – The steering mechanism of motor vehicles (M1 only) – behaviour on impact, may drive or be passengers on such motor cycle on a public road while not wearing a protective helmet.

By SABS (SA Bureau of Standards) they refer to your D.O.T. and European E.C.E. standards.

This is the only law or regulation on Motorcycle Rider Gear in South Africa. Other guidelines are implemented on local level through motorcycle clubs, safety institutes and riding academies.

I hope this addresses your question.

Regards,

HEIN JONKER | Editor & Chief Instructor

Mobile: 083 7937975 | Office: 031 9038240| Fax: 0866 4898 55

Head Office: Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu Natal

;

Website: www.biketalk.co.za | Blog: www.biketalk.co.za/wp

Where legislation does not protect bikers common sense has to!

Protect your family with a roadworthy vehicle this holiday season

With spring having arrived and the end of the year in sight, many families will already be thinking about annual holidays and getting planning underway. Those with a plan will also be thinking about the way they will get to their holiday destinations and about the family car that will get them there safely.

One of the most vital parts of the car is undoubtedly the tyres. It is these 4 items that literally carry the load – the weight of the car, the holiday gear and the family. It is also often the last thing consumers want to spend money on just before a big family holiday.

The minimum legal tread depth on South African tyres is one millimetre across the entire circumference of the tyre. Spots on a tyre could wear down un-evenly so the tread in some places could be over one millimetre and other places it could be less than one millimetre, depending where you measure it. It is extremely important to check if your tyres meet the legal requirements of thread depth.Unfortunately, this small safety margin is one that is often ignored by up to 40% of all South African drivers, probably because of the cost involved in replacing tyres, something that is not often budgeted for, says Standard Bank UCount Rewards programme and their partners in road safety, Tiger Wheel & Tyre.

Joe du Plooy of Tiger Wheel & Tyre, points out that the risk of travelling with worn tyres can be magnified by the costs which could be incurred if a driver is even involved in just a minor bumper bashing.

“Insurance assessors can reject a claim if tyres are worn on the basis that a vehicle is not roadworthy. A motorist could therefore find himself having to pay for the damage incurred on 2 vehicles. The potential cost of an event of this nature should be considered against the cost of buying tyres when a driver notices that the tread on the tyres are becoming worn.”

“Standard Bank acknowledges that tyres are one of the main components required for a roadworthy vehicle. It can also be a costly exercise and an added expense, often not budgeted for. It is for this reason that UCount Rewards have joined forces with Tiger Wheel & Tyre says Fayelizabeth Foster, Head of UCount Rewards at Standard Bank.

“We believe that by swiping a qualifying Standard Bank personal debit, cheque or credit card at our Participating Rewards Retailer, Tiger Wheel & Tyre, our members can collect rewards points on your purchases at Tiger Wheel & Tyre which allows for a saving and help reduce the cost of keeping their car tyres in good condition. Our members can also redeem their rewards points at Tiger Wheel & Tyres.  We believe that a safe car is a gift that benefits the entire family, especially when the family car tackles the long road to holiday destinations.”

Before embarking on your holiday, Tiger Wheel & Tyre recommends that the following checks be conducted to ensure safe motoring:

• Tyres including the spare tyre should always be inflated to the correct tyre pressure. Over-inflated tyres erode quickly at their centre, while under-inflated tyres wear quicker on the outsides. Under-inflated tyres also overheat easily and can cause tyre bursts, leading to road fatalities.


• Wheel balancing and alignment should take place every 10 000 kms, after you hit a pothole or obstacle or before every major trip. This not only improves the handling of your car, but also extends the tread life of your tyres.


• Consider filling your tyres with nitrogen instead of air. With nitrogen, tyres run cooler, which means they last longer. Tyres running on nitrogen don’t lose pressure as quickly as tyres inflated with air. Inflating your tyres with nitrogen can extend tyre life by up to 20%.


• Heavy loads put extra strain on your tyres, so if your car is jam-packed with luggage, make sure you increase the tyre pressure. Check your owner’s manual for the recommended tyre pressures for “heavy loads” before you pack your car.

For your nearest Tiger Wheel & Tyre visit www.twt.to

Also view:

Tyre Safety and Road Safety

Vehicle Maintenance and Road Safety

Protect your family with a roadworthy vehicle this holiday season