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The classic all-black-leather biker outfit is in danger of extinction. At least in Ireland, where its Road Safety Authority (RSA) has confirmed plans to make all motorcyclists wear high-visibility clothing.

The proposal has not been welcomed among many motorists, leading this to a gathering of thousands  of bikers around Ireland on the last weekend of September to protest against the proposed changes from the EU and the Road Safety Authority.

Besides the introduction of mandatory high-visibility clothing for riders and passengers, the changes bikers are protesting against include an NCT-type test for bikes, EU anti-tamper legislation that affects customisation of bikes and compulsory ABS.

With an important role in the ongoing protest - and the demonstration that took place in Dublin, Limerick, Donegal, Cork, Waterford, Monaghan, Mullingar, Galway and Wexford - is the Irish Motorcyclist's Action Group (MAG.)

"Too many riders have been unwilling to believe they will be forced to wear day-glo clothing in the near future. Until now the RSA has soft-pedalled its determination to legislate, but now there is no doubt that the authorities are serious," said MAG's general secretary Nich Brown.

What bikers object about  having to wear full high-visibility jackets is that the measure takes away car drivers' responsibility to look properly and places the blame on motorcyclists instead.

They also say the jackets would be too much to wear on top of biking gear. If the proposal triumphs, the bikers say that there should be high-visibility clothing of different colours for different groups.

Linda O'Loideoin, spokesperson for MAG, said: "We are aware of how vulnerable we are. When we give an answer it is a considered reply, it is not a knee-jerk action."

Recent surveys commissioned by he RSA, and conducted across the Irish Republic, have reported that high visibility clothing wearing rates are much lower in regional towns than in larger cities. Also, it has been found that an average of 50 percent of high visibility clothing is obscured by accessories such as rucksacks.

A spokesman for the RSA told MSN magazine: "We do intend to seek to introduce the measure in 2014, subject to consultation with motorcyclists and industry on the most appropriate type of hi-vis material and possible solutions."

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