Stephen Whitehouse said his customers were proactive when it came to safety and mostly wore jackets with reflectors already built into them.

“This is bureaucracy gone mad; I resent being told what to wear while riding,” he said.

“I can’t picture my customers putting on fluorescent jackets, it’s not going to happen.”

Member for Murray Valley, Ken Jasper, raised the idea in Parliament this week.

“I believe the Government has an important role in enforcing safety standards and should legislate on this issue just as it did with compulsory wearing of seatbelts and cycle helmets,” he said.

“My observations indicate that many cyclists wear reflective or iridescent clothing, but most motorcyclists wear black garments, making visibility very difficult.”

Mr Jasper said high-visibility garments would promote safety for road users.

“Consideration must be given to enforce the wearing of specific coloured garments such as those used by truck drivers, construction workers and others,” he said.

Mr Whitehouse said the garments would not be embraced.

“It’s a stop-gap solution when the Government should be putting money into improving roads and proper driver training,” he said.

Sen-Sgt Bill Gore, of the Wangaratta traffic management unit, said it was a fantastic idea.

“On many occasions bikies are riding around in thongs and shorts. If they can’t make their own decisions then the law has to make it for them,” he said.

Editorial — page 12