My friends from Think Bike have taught me about ATGATT – the acronym for All The Gear All The Time! We developed a section on ATGATT and Road Safety on the Arrive Alive website and would like to share the testimonial by road safety expert David Frost who has recently been in a biking accident:
“I had a crash with my motor cycle two weeks ago and was hospitalised for a week. The rear tyre burst and I hit the tar after losing control at about 110 kph. I was on the N1 on the way home after work between Cape Town and Paarl where I live. Luckily I was wearing, as the Think Bikers say All The Gear All The Time (ATGATT). From leather pants and other covering to a Leatt Neck Brace. Have to practice what we preach. Despite this I suffered a l/tibeal plateau fracture that had be secured again with a screw as well as breaking the 6th l/rib and l/scapula. My r/big toe was also cracked and the r/thumb has severe soft tissue injury from the handle bar (I assume as there is no road surface damage to the glove). No roasties, or flesh wounds at least.
I can assure you that had I not been dressed the way I was it would have been a hell of a lot worse. The other scary part was I could have been near to other vehicles when I fell or someone could have ridden over me as I came to a stop in the middle of the road. Still however managed to get up and walk to the shoulder of the road.
Regards,
David”
I would also like to quote a section from the Arrive Alive website:
What is the purpose of protective gear for bikers/ motorcyclists?
•Improved Visibility — Many riders choose higher-visibility gear. Bright colors and retro reflective strips are common on quality equipment and make the riders more visible to other road users such as motorists, truck drivers and even pedestrians.
•Abrasion Resistance — Thick, tough leather provides the most abrasion resistance in a crash, but fabrics such as cordura, kevlar and ballistic nylon provide significant protection too. In addition, fabrics are generally cheaper, easier to maintain, waterproof, and more comfortable in hot weather. Thick leather, which affords the most abrasion resistance, can be uncomfortable in high temperatures, may cause heat stress & loss of control with insufficient fluid replacement. Some gear is constructed of fabrics made into a ‘mesh’ that provides cooling and a stable surface for the attachment of padding
•Padding — Quality jackets and pants provide significant extra padding in the vulnerable joint regions. This can take the form of simple foam padding, or dual-density foam that stiffens when compressed, sometimes with plastic or carbon fiber outer-shells that distribute the impact across the pad. Integrated pieces can be found in some jackets.
•Weather Protection — an important aspect of protective clothing is protection from the elements. Extreme weather can make a long ride unbearable or dangerous. Gear needs to provide protection from wind, rain and cold.
Visit the Arrive Alive website for more info on ATGATT and Road Safety