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“they're making a bet against fate—a bet with far

worse odds than they might realize”

“Even the cops can't tell the event of a crash, these assumptions government, industry, and civil
difference,” says Johan Botha, owner can be fatal. society, the problem will continue to
of a motorbike dealership in Pretoria. “There's a cultural disconnect between grow—fueling an underground
“As long as it has a sticker and you're economy that puts lives at risk.
what looks cool and what keeps you
alive,” says Bongani Khumalo, a
wearing it, you're good to go.”
The Rise of Online member of a local biking club in What Needs to Change
Durban. “We need to change that.”
Marketplaces A Multi-Pronged Approach
T h e I n s u r a n c e
Convenience, Anonymity, and a Solving the problem requires more
Sea of Fakes Minefield than just slapping on fines or seizing
goods. It needs a full ecosystem shift:
Online classifieds and social media When Cheap Gear Costs More
platforms have become breeding in the Long Run 1. C o n s u m e r E d u c a t i o n
grounds for non-compliant gear. A One of the lesser-known risks of using Riders need to know what to
quick search for "motorcycle helmets illegal motorcycle gear is the impact look for in safe gear. Public
S o u t h A f r i c a " o n F a c e b o o k on insurance. In the event of an campaigns, workshops, and
Marketplace or Gumtree reveals accident, if a rider is found to have influencer involvement can
hundreds of listings. Many appear been wearing non-compliant gear, shift perceptions from fashion
reputable, showing sleek product insurers may refuse to pay out medical to function.
photos and branded labels. But closer o r d a m a g e c l a i m s — a rg u i n g 2. Stronger Enforcement
i n s p e c t i o n r e v e a l s negligence on the part of the rider. Train law enforcement to
inconsistencies—wrong model identify fake or non-compliant
numbers, generic descriptions, and This becomes a double blow for riders gear. Equip them with tools to
unusually low prices. who thought they were saving money verify certifications in the
by buying cheaper equipment. Now
Online sellers operate with near-total they're injured, uninsured, and field.
impunity. Unlike physical shops, possibly facing long-term financial 3. O n l i n e P l a t f o r m
they're harder to trace, and customers ruin. A c c o u n t a b i l i t y
often don't know what to look for in Platforms must be legally
terms of compliance. Moreover, “Insurance companies will protect required to verify the safety
sellers will frequently label non- their bottom line,” says legal advisor compliance of items listed
compliant gear as “novelty,” Anusha Padayachee. “If your gear under “protective gear.” If they
bypassing consumer protection laws. didn't meet the required standard, can't ensure it, they shouldn't
they'll use that to deny your
“There's no vetting process on these claim—and they'll win.” list it.
platforms,” says Michelle du Plessis, a 4. Accessible Safety Gear
road safety advocate based in Cape Support programs for low-
Town. “Anyone can list anything. It's A Systemic Failure income riders—such as
the Wild West.” subsidies or approved gear
When Everyone Fails, Riders leasing—to make real safety
C u l t u r e a n d Pay the Price attainable for all.
Misconceptions The problem of illegal motorcycle 5. I m p o r t R e g u l a t i o n
gear in South Africa is not the result of O v e r h a u l
The Allure of Fashion Over
one bad actor—it's the culmination of Establish stricter customs
Function multiple systemic failures: controls and better tracking of
In the local biking culture, especially · Regulatory bodies lack certified product shipments.
among newer or younger riders, enforcement capability. Work with international
aesthetics often overshadow safety. standards bodies to align
· Customs and border control
Matching leathers, flashy helmets, and import expectations.
branded gloves offer style points but are under-resourced.
not always protection. Riders will · Law enforcement is unaware
sometimes buy counterfeit Dainese, or unable to act. Hope on the Horizon?
Alpinestars, or Shoei gear because it
· Consumers are uninformed or There are small signs of progress.
looks like the real thing—even if it's misled. Some South African NGOs have
made from low-grade materials. begun awareness campaigns targeting
· R e t a i l e r s a n d o n l i n e
Some believe that any helmet is better p l a t f o r m s p r o fi t f r o m delivery drivers. Major helmet brands
than none. Others falsely assume that impunity. are working with local retailers to
as long as a helmet looks “solid,” it reduce prices. There's even a growing
must be safe. Unfortunately, in the Without coordinated efforts among online movement among bikers to