Italy: new requirements for high-viz gilets or Sam Browne belts

[andym]

As of today the italian equivalent of the Highway Code has been changed, with new requirements for cyclists to wear high-viz Sam Browne belts at night-time (outside centres of population) or in tunnels - at any time.

The Italian text is downloadable from here (http://www.governo.i...da_29072010.pdf) - go to page 79, but the important paragraph is:

Dopo il comma 9 dell'articolo 182 del decreto legislativo n. 285del 1992 e' inserito il seguente:

«9-bis. Il conducente di velocipede che circola fuori dai centri abitati da mezz'ora dopo il tramonto del sole a mezz'ora prima del suo sorgere e il conducente di velocipede che circola nelle gallerie hanno l'obbligo di indossare il giubbotto o le bretelle retroriflettenti ad alta visibilita', di cui al comma 4-ter dell'articolo 162».

This requires cyclists to wear either a 'retroreflective' gilet or Sam Browne belt, if they are riding outside a centre of population between the following times:

- half an hour after sunset;
- half an hour before dawn.

Belts or gilets must be worn at all times in tunnels.

There's no mention of an EU standard, but an EN 471 tabard jobby is a pretty safe bet.

Fines of between 23 and 92 euros.

(I'm not sure what the reference to Article 162 is about).

 

[gavintc]

And as usual, Italian compliance will be about 0%. Unless it looks good.

Yes, I completely agree. But, they are more skilled at arguing with the cops than we are. I have looked at this one and will monitor adherence amongst other cyclists before deciding.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

...they are more skilled at arguing with the cops than we are.

Isn't that because the stakes are higher for natives? I remember once we were stopped because we'd failed to notice the speed limit sign which was very high up on a wall and covered in ivy. We handed over a few million lira (couple of quid) and an unfortunate Italian chap, who'd also been nabbed, was handing over a much larger amount, well that's how it looked to me.

 

[andym]

Yes, I completely agree. But, they are more skilled at arguing with the cops than we are. I have looked at this one and will monitor adherence amongst other cyclists before deciding.

Erm, why not just get a gilet and stick it in your pannier along with bike lights? A bit of a no-brainer surely? - especially as France has similar legal requirements.


Oh and BTW - a complete load of tosh from you and UncleMort about Italy and the Italians

 

[willem]

The Italians are to be commended for taking cycling much more seriously. They are busy building numerous cycle paths, and this legislation is a welcome confirmation that they take the situation seriously. Because of the terrain their roads are often narrow and crowded, and any splitsecond earlier warning such as provided by high visibility clothing may save your life. I was glad we were wearing hiviz (during the day) when I was cycling along the lakes with my wife and kids. Go to your nearest workwear shop, and you can get a workwear EU approved t shirt for less than a cheap 'cyling' jersey.
Willem

 

[HJ]

And as usual, Italian compliance will be about 0%. Unless it looks good.

+1

 

[HJ]

Yes, I completely agree. But, they are more skilled at arguing with the cops than we are. I have looked at this one and will monitor adherence amongst other cyclists before deciding.

Erm, why not just get a gilet and stick it in your pannier along with bike lights? A bit of a no-brainer surely? - especially as France has similar legal requirements.


Oh and BTW - a complete load of tosh from you and UncleMort about Italy and the Italians

Did you bother to check where gavintc lives? As he is currently living (and cycles) in Naples, I can be fairly sure he knows knows what he talking about...

 

[willem]

There is a lot of regional variation, although even Naples has changed a lot. When I worked there in the 70's, no one bothered to stop for traffic lights. Now they most certainly do. But apart from that, you can also decide to take responsibility for your life into your own hands, and do the smart thing: be visible.
Willem

 

[gavintc]

There is a lot of regional variation, although even Naples has changed a lot. When I worked there in the 70's, no one bothered to stop for traffic lights. Now they most certainly do. But apart from that, you can also decide to take responsibility for your life into your own hands, and do the smart thing: be visible.
Willem

I have a 10 week lay off to recover from injury to consider options here. I have not cycled through a winter, having arrived in Mar 10 and I quickly stopped wearing my UK outer cycling wear. I tend to commute with minimal kit, sometimes a daysack, perhaps I will purchase a lightweight dayglo top , but in UK I preferred strong cycle lights to ensure that I am noticed.

With regard to the traffic lights in Naples, most are obeyed by motor vehicles. There are a few crazy junctions. But, cyclists in general ignore traffic lights. Stopping and then becoming part of the Le Mans style start is actually more dangerous than choosing a safe moment to cross, independent of the light phasing.

Returning to UncleMort's comment about fashion. It is hard if you do not live in Italy, to really comprehend the desire to look good. Style is vital, and I fear that a hiviz jacket will not cut the mustard.

 

[andym]

Did you bother to check where gavintc lives? As he is currently living (and cycles) in Naples, I can be fairly sure he knows knows what he talking about...

And I am typing this in Bologna - I live and cycle in Italy too. And I still say he (and Uncle Mort) are talking cobblers (although I admit that even among Italians the Napolitani have a certain reputation). I'm sure that the question of whether people comply with this will ultimately depend on the extent to which the law is enforced, but that would also be the case in the UK. And I somehow I doubt an Italian would talk about 'monitoring adherence' before deciding whether to comply with a British law.

The vast majority of cyclists I've seen (admittedly in Northern Italy) aren't riding flashy carbon-framed bikes with team colours (although I've seen a few of them) but are riding hack bikes which are usually at least twenty years old, and mountain bikes in fluorescent colours. (and if it rains they use an umbrella!). Cycling is a matter of getting from A-B not a matter of style.

In the meantime the Italian 'Friends of the Bike' are promoting the wearing of high-viz gilets. No doubt they're in a minority but maybe evidence that not all Italians correspond to the northern-european stereotyping.

http://www.fiab-onlu..._illuminato.htm

 

[psmiffy]

As a touring cyclist I find it to be a bit of a no-brainer to carry a hi-viz vest for wearing in long tunnels or when cycling at dusk or after dark on unlit roads – As to it being a blow against the Italian ethos of style I cannot recall actually seeing an Italian on a bike after dark in a rural area.

 

[andym]

– As to it being a blow against the Italian ethos of style I cannot recall actually seeing an Italian on a bike after dark in a rural area.

I have a feeling you are right on that one - although I suspect most touring cyclists would want to be off the road long before dark. The only time I've ever ridden after dark when touring (apart from short trips to restaurants) have been when things have gone horribly wrong. But along with lights a high-viz vest is a useful time for those days when it all goes pear-shaped, or when you find yourself facing a long horrible tunnel you weren't expecting.

 

[gavintc]

I am a recent arrival into Italy and I am well aware of the uniqueness of Naples. My experiences are a little different. Almost all the riders I come across are on nice bling bikes in club kit. Training rides are very large and dominate the local roads at weekends, with smaller groups meeting through the week. The very few 'normal' bikes I come across are ridden by the very poor immigrant population. Style seems to be vital to all the Italians.

As I said, I have some enforced rest from the bike while I recover from a break and it will allow me to decide how I should resolve the situation. I think my UK hiviz jacket will be too warm.

I have commuted through the darker hours in Mar and Apr, there were few if any locals cycling other than the immigrants, dressed in black, with no lights!! I think another Brit I work with and I are probably the only people I know who cycle regularly on rural roads. I have about 12km of dark roads before hitting the lit roads of suburban Naples.

Of interest, I should have been in a hotel in Bologna tonight before meeting friends flying into Milan and then I was to have driven us all up to Bellagio to watch the Tour of Lombardia - sadly that plan is cancelled. I must get back up north again over the winter and experience more of Italy. But, I am loving it; such a varied and different experience.

 

[StuartG]

I was shocked at the compliance of motor bikers to wearing helmets. It was well above 20% in Sicily! But I guess they didn't include the requirement to fasten the strap ...

 

[Blue Hills]

On subject of Italians and style and cycling, I' d say from what I've seen in Sardinia on visits here that looking good, bella figura, is important.

Lots of middle aged guys on carbon bikes at weekends, full team colours including shorts. And a nice guy in a good bike shop I was asking about the availability of a flat bar "citybike" said there was little demand as Italians liked to look good, by which I think he meant emulating their team faves. Hardly any urban cycling at all here - I've suggested to a few Sardinians that they might cycle - one young one told me that it was "too muddy"! Doesn't make a lot of sense if you know anything about Sardinian weather.

The only real individualists in this it seems are the old men who do tootle around on their old bikes. And more strength to them. Hardly any female cyclists, apart from middle aged types tootling to market in some of the flatter villages.

And as has been said above, you do see a few immigrants riding around.

I rather have the impression that northern Italy is somewhat different and that Ferrara in particular does have a real cycling culture.

Some jolly northern types:


http://www.adbgenova.it/help/i_nostri_filmati.htm