Push to make cyclists wear high-vis jackets 24/7 to drive down rising road toll

Cyclists could be forced to wear high-vis jackets as part of a political bid to tackle the rising road toll.

The proposal is being made by the Narrogin branch of the National Party of Australia (WA) which would make it compulsory for cyclists and even e-scooter riders to wear a fluorescent vest or jacket on shared roads, reports ABC. 

The Party said it is expecting the motion to pass at its next council meeting in November, after which it would form part of its campaign going into next year’s state election.

According to the ABC, Nationals MP and deputy leader Peter Rundle said it was a good idea given the high number of road deaths across the state – in 2023 five cyclists died on WA roads, a 32 per cent increase on the five-year average.

"Anything we can do to reduce the probability of someone getting injured or dying is really important," he told the broadcaster.

Currently, bike lights and reflectors are mandatory for cyclists, as are helmets, riding at night or in low-visibility conditions across WA – but not high-vis clothing, though the state government’s cycling safety website advises its use.

Other state and territory governments also specify cyclists or scooter riders must use lights and reflectors to be seen at night and wear helmets, though most don’t make any requirements for apparel.

The only exceptions being in the ACT where police state cyclists should “wear brightly coloured clothing”, and in SA where the local government says “during the day wear bright coloured clothing, at night wear light-coloured clothing and use a white front light and red rear light”.

Despite Mr Rundle’s claims, however, whether making cyclists wear specialist clothing at all times improves safety is the contested.

In 2018, a WA Government survey into the safety of vulnerable road users found wearing a helmet did not protect cyclists as much as people thought it would – with better cycling infrastructure credited with making a greater difference.

And last year a study by Flinders University in Adelaide found cyclists who wear safety vests or helmets look ‘less human’ compared to those who do not, making them more likely to cop abuse from motorists.

In 2016, the City of West Torrens, also in Adelaide, pushed for cyclists and mobility scooter riders to wear a hi-vis item on their body and their helmets at all times of day.

But the proposal never made it through, partly because the council couldn’t produce evidence that it would protect cyclists.