Biker News - Regularly updated

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Category: Safety & Compensation

  1. Sorry mate, I didn’t see you

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    Sixty-nine per cent of motorcyclists were cut-up by another road user who didn’t look properly, in the last six months, according to the IAM’s latest poll. Of those who experienced near misses, 86 per cent were forced to take evasive action.
     
    These incidents are known as SMIDSYs – ‘sorry mate I didn’t see you’ – which is often the reaction of the perpetrator when these events result in accidents. Failure to look is a contributory factor in 29 per cent of serious collisions and 36 per cent of slight accidents according to IAM research.1


     • Seventy-three per cent of motorcyclists cited the driver not paying enough attention as one of the main factors for incidents of this type.
    • Forty-three per cent of motorcyclists were involved in a near miss up to two times.
    • Fifty-six per cent of motorcyclists had experienced a near miss with a cyclist.
     
    Eighty-three per cent of drivers said that these incidents would decrease by improving drivers’ awareness of motorcyclists.
     
    IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “SMIDSY moments are happening far too often, and very few people are prepared to take responsibility for their part in them. It’s always someone else’s fault. All road users need to be more aware of who they are sharing the road with, and the risks they present.
     
    “Other road users’ intentions can often be guessed by their body language and position on the road, so ride defensively, and leave room so that if somebody does do something unexpected, you have time to deal with it.”
     
    The IAM suggests top tips for bikers for sharing the road:

    • Always assume that other road users may not have seen you
    • When travelling in a straight line position yourself where a car driver would be sitting. This is where other road users will be looking
    • Give drivers time to realise you’re there. Don’t arrive so fast you startle the driver
    • Always leave plenty of space between yourself and other traffic
    • Look well ahead to avoid needing to make sudden changes in direction for potholes
    • Be seen. Big blocks of bright colour are better than broken up or patterned clothing, which effectively camouflages you. And always make sure you have your headlight on.

    www.iam.org.uk

  2. Right To Ride - Road Safety Survey

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    Apparently everyone’s views, especially those of older people, are being sought in a survey aimed at improving road safety.

    In 2010, 106 people aged 65 and above were killed or seriously injured on our roads, including 26 pedestrians.
     
    Department for the Environment Minister Alex Attwood said: ‘These are chilling statistics. We know that older people are one of the most at risk groups on our roads and that they are particularly vulnerable when out walking. Improving their safety is a priority for my Department and a key part of Northern Ireland’s Road Safety Strategy to 2020, which recognises that older people will form an increasing proportion of the population here in the years ahead."

    Inviting all road users to fill in a survey which is available online or that can be posted out, the Minister added: "I value the views of the whole community and would encourage everyone, not only older people, to take part in this important research. This is part of an ongoing project which will help us to better understand the issues involved and develop new ways to tackle them."
     
    The survey can be completed by people of all ages and the questions will be automatically tailored to suit your age range. However, although the questions are designed to help find out about the behaviours and attitudes of road users as drivers, passengers, pedestrians or cyclists, you will note there is no mention of motorcyclists or any derivation of two wheels – scooterists or three wheels – Trike Riders.
     
    At Right To Ride we are sure there is no conspiracy to exclude riders, because the content of the survey and its aims to investigate the main causes of, and factors contributing to, road collisions involving older people are more important.

    Right To Rides, Trevor Baird, said, “The questions in the survey ask your views on, assessment to drive at 70+ years, a section for Older Drivers (60 years +) which goes in-depth into ability and issues for those over 60+ as a car diver, a pedestrian, a cyclists, Public Transport but not motorcyclists.”
     
    However the survey does ask your views on your experience of older drivers and the data may also be used in a wider European study (the 'SaMERU' – Safer Mobility for Elderly Road Users - Project) into improving road safety of older people.
     
    Like most “good” surveys at the end you can leave, “any additional comments including any suggestions on how the road safety of older people could be improved”.
     
    At Right To Ride however, we are sure that riders will comment how disappointing it is that motorcycles - scooters or mopeds as motorised transport are not included in the survey and take the opportunity to comment as a 60+ rider or as a younger rider, on the issues.
     
    The survey will run until the end of February and can be filled in at the following link and should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete or you can request for it can be posted out to you:

    Road safety survey – SurveyMonkey website http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DOE_Older_Road_Users
     
    Original Source:

  3. Introducing the Meta Alarm System

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    The M357TV2 Category 1 Alarm Immobiliser is a highly acclaimed, full specification alarm. It received a score of 99% in a review carried out by Motorcycle News and was awarded RiDE magazine's 'Best Buy'.

    The features include:

    • Anti scan, anti-grab rolling code operation
    • Resin bonded construction
    • Integral Microchip movement sensor
    • Water and vibration resistant
    • Failsafe twin circuit immobilisation
    • Sleep mode (zero battery drain)
    • Audible and visual arming signals
    • Passive arming - auto re-arm
    • Secure override facility
    • Low battery warning
    • Ignition key conversion
    • Diagnostic LED
    • Accessory protection feature
    • Hotwire sensing
    • Covert black wiring
    • Battery backup siren

    The alarm can be purchased and fitted for only £199 by BLD, located in Brighouse, Bournemouth and Southampton, with state-of-the-art facilities, insurance approved and provide an efficienct and exceptional service.

  4. First Aid for Riders Launched

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    First Aid for Riders has officially launched its website www.firstaidforriders.org and the first of the tailored First Aid courses, which are delivered by the St John Ambulance for riders whether on two wheels – motorcycles and scooters or three wheels – trikes.
     
    First Aid for Riders has now become a reality with the involvement of the St John Ambulance and the award of a DOE Road Safety Grant, through the Community Transport Association (CTA) to bring the initiative to the motorcycling community across Northern Ireland.
     
    Bryan Myles, the manager responsible for the funding at CTA said, “We are delighted to be awarding the grants on behalf of the Department of the Environment to help organisations make their local roads safer for everyone. We know that the voluntary sector plays a significant role in reaching some of the most vulnerable people in society and we hope that this funding can further inspire creative people to do even more to improve the safety on our roads”.
     
    The St John Ambulance, “Is pleased to be associated with the First Aid for Riders scheme in Northern Ireland. Despite the great moves forward in road safety over the years, collisions do still occur and it is important that first aid care is provided promptly when injuries happen.
     
    The course that we are running in association with the First Aid for Riders Scheme will give delegates the skill and confidence required to be able to care for a casualty until the arrival of the emergency medical services.”
     
    The First Aid for Riders course content will consist of:
     
    Bleeding;
    Bone, muscle and joint injuries;
    Casualty movement;
    Communication and casualty care;
    Emergencies in public;
    Head injury;
    Primary survey;
    Resuscitation (adult);
    Removal of a crash helmet;
    Shock;
    Unconscious casualty.
     
    The course takes place over six hours, after which successful delegates receive a St John Ambulance (NI) certificate that is valid for three years.
     
    Rendering First Aid to a motorcyclist involves many additional considerations that may not be “instructed” in basic first aid courses, for example a motorcyclist may be wearing heavy leathers, armour and should be wearing a helmet means that delivering essential lifesaving first aid to bikers can be more life critical. Thus to give course attendees a flavour of rendering First Aid as a rider out on the road delegates are asked to attend with their normal motorcycle riding gear.
     
    Trevor Baird, the initiatives coordinator says, “The goal of First Aid for Riders is to reduce death and serious injuries of motorcyclists and other road users by disseminating first aid knowledge in the motorcycle community.
     
    I hope riders never have to use what they have learned on the course, but by attending one of these courses riders could be making the difference between a life lost and a life saved.”
     
    www.firstaidforriders.org

  5. Designated drivers rewarded this Christmas

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    Designated drivers will be rewarded in more than 8,000 pubs and student union bars across the country as part of the THINK! Christmas drink drive campaign, launched today by Road Safety Minister Mike Penning.

    This year's THINK! Christmas drink drive campaign will include radio advertising, posters in pub washrooms, online search activity and targeted Facebook advertising to remind drivers of the personal consequences of a drink drive conviction. THINK! have also teamed up with Coca-Cola's Designated Driver campaign to offer drivers across the country free soft drinks at venues this Christmas as part of the Driver Friendly campaign.

    Drivers will be able to find participating venues using the Coca-Cola 'Pub Finder' tool, either online or via their smart phones.

    THINK! campaign activity will be aimed at young men aged 17 - 29, who are consistently over-represented in drink drive casualty figures.

    Mike Penning said: "The number of drink drive deaths has fallen by more than 75% since 1979, but drink driving is still devastating lives with around 250 people killed in collisions where a driver was over the limit last year.

    "Our THINK! campaign makes it clear that drivers who get behind the wheel over the limit risk losing their licence as well as facing a fine and even a prison sentence. We are also teaming up with Coca-Cola and pub chains across the country to reward designated drivers as part of our Drive Friendly initiative, as well as reminding people of the consequences of getting a drink drive conviction. No one wants to spend their Christmas in a police cell. My message is clear: don't drink and drive."

    Jon Woods, General Manager, Coca-Cola Great Britain and Ireland said: "The holiday period is coming around quickly and everyone is beginning to make their plans. With the majority of adults preparing to visit a pub or bar over the festive period we are proud to be partnering the Government's THINK! Initiative to reward responsible drivers. Designated Drivers provide a fantastic service by helping their friends and family get home safely at the end of a night out. That's why we think it is so important to recognise and reward them. To do this we will be offering a free Coke or Diet Coke to drivers, ensuring they have a good night too and to encourage others to do the right thing."

    The THINK! drink drive campaign runs from 1st December 2011 to 1st January 2012. For more information and the facts, visit: www.think.direct.gov.uk/drink-driving.html

    Designated drivers should ask at the bar about how to take advantage of the buy one, get one free offer on Coca-Cola or Diet Coke at participating venues from 9th December 2011.