Bull in the Dark

During training (those two fateful half days), they could not stress plainly enough that the higher your visibility as a rider, the greater your life expectancy - to put it bluntly. They also admitted that no-one was going to go out & buy high-visibility safety wear to ride their bike, & that a clash of colours (bike versus rider) was the best defence.

I went out & bought a black scooter. There were options, but my better half fell in love with it. I then went out & bought one of those fluoro green vests with the white reflector stripes. This stays with the scooter. I always wear it.

I got a 'free' helmet. I went for the half-face because I figured I won't ride all that much. I then went & bought some safety goggles, because I realised that I won't be wearing sunglasses at night (which is when I do a lot of riding in winter). I then went & bought a clip-on visor because safety goggles look silly.

I bought ex-army riding gloves, on the basis that they'll do - warm enough, & highly protective of fingers.

I don't own a riding jacket. I have a suede jacket for casual wear, or else my wool coat for business wear. That's it. I always wear boots. I always pull my socks up (very important).

I bought a man-bag. It's actually a travellers' bag, with zips, but it's got a shoulder strap. I put all of my valuables in that & stick it in the helmet box while I'm riding. I feel more secure knowing that they can't fall from my pocket.

I bought a heavy duty bike chain - just in case - but I don't park the scooter anywhere I think I might need it.

I have a disposable raincoat that's already been used, & this covers my seat when I park & it looks gloomy. It's bright yellow. It stops people walking into a black bike in the dark.

Total outlay on top of the bike: $100.

Registering was tricky, because most insurers won't give you a CTP online unless the bike is already registered; & then the RTA won't accept a print-out unless it comes directly from the insurer. This meant doing it over the counter in both places.

I did not buy vanity plates.

I wanted to, but I can't fit "BEWARE OF THE LEARNER RIDER" in five letters, so I'll stick with the single-letter warning sign they gave me.