Right To Ride has responded to a Road Safety public consultation on an European Union (EU) strategy to reduce injuries resulting from road traffic accidents.
 
The consultation, a survey from the European Commission’s (EC) Energy and Transport states that “Road safety strategies traditionally focus on reducing fatalities. Injuries, however, are overlooked and have become a major health problem. In 2010, about 1 500 000 people were injured on the roads of the European Union, at huge economic and human cost to society.” adding that, “Reducing the number and the severity of road traffic injuries is one of the strategic objectives outlined in the Policy Orientation on Road Safety 2011-2020 and a priority for EU action.”
 
Therefore the EC say that it is, “Developing a comprehensive strategy of action concerning road traffic injuries and emergency services, with the help of all relevant actors.”
 
The EC says that initially, “It will seek to find a common understanding of definitions and concepts relating to casualties (in particular, the definition of serious and slight injuries), improve data collection and identify courses of action to improve prevention and intervention, including their socio-economic impact.” and that based on feedback from the first stage of the proposed strategy, “Specific or tailor-made actions might be identified with a view to increasing the accuracy of existing databases on road injuries”.
 
This initial stage appears to be whether the count of road injuries is accurate.
 
Questionnaire
 
The questionnaire asks participants to list references to any studies or documents of relevance to this consultation on injuries resulting from road accidents. If you are aware of any study or document or the organisation, group or association you may be a member of has produced any studies or documents you can forward these to the EC.
 
At Right To Ride we have forwarded the EC our Northern Ireland Motorcycle Fatality Report 2012, the report is an Indepth Study of 39 Motorcycle Collisions In Northern Ireland between 2004 and 2010 where 41 Motorcyclists were Fatally Injured.
 
Towards a European Road Safety Area
 
Meanwhile in the EC document – Towards a European road safety area – Policy orientations on road safety 2011-2020 which is being promoted as EU road safety guidelines 2011-2020, it specifically mentions motorcyclists as vulnerable road users.
 
Specifically making vulnerable road users – especially motorcyclists – safer by improving communication between authorities and road users, and introducing periodic inspections of motorbikes, mopeds, etc.
 
The document says that, “The problem of motorcyclists’ safety ” should be addressed through a range of actions, with a view to:
 

1. Improving awareness of PTW (Powered Two Wheelers – motorcycles – scooters – mopeds) riders by other road users.
 

2. Encouraging research and technical developments aimed at increasing PTW’s safety and reducing the consequences of accidents, such as standards for personal protective equipment, airbags, the use of relevant ITS applications (e.g. eCall) and progressive installation of advanced braking systems, appropriate anti-tampering measures, etc.
 

The Commission will propose to extend to PTWs the existing EU legislation concerning roadworthiness testing. Finally, on-going efforts to better adapt road infrastructure to PTWs (e.g. safer guardrails) should also be continued.
 

3. Encouraging Member States to focus enforcement on speed, drink and driving, helmet use, tampering and riding without a proper PTW licence.
 
You may be familiar with some of these issues that the EC is already progressing with such as mandatory advanced braking systems and appropriate anti-tampering measures in the proposed EU Regulation that is presently under discussion you may not be aware of these other range of actions.
 
The problem with these actions is that, although we can simply welcome the on-going efforts to better adapt road infrastructure to PTWs (e.g. safer guardrails,) the issue is what is in the detail for improving awareness of PTW riders by other road users.
 
While encouraging research and technical developments aimed at increasing PTW’s safety and reducing the consequences of accidents, is welcome what are the details of standards for personal protective equipment, airbags, the use of relevant ITS applications (e.g. eCall) and rather than a concentration on the consequences of accidents a step back to concentrate on looking at the prevention of accidents would be more appropriate.
 
Of course nobody would deny that enforcement on drink and driving is to be encouraged however perhaps enforcement on speed should be on inappropriate speed, helmet use is more a “Southern” European issue and tampering and riding without a proper PTW licence suggests that there is only an issue with PTW Licences.
 
Bundle these actions together as “The problem of motorcyclists’ safety” the problem then becomes the motorcyclists acceptance and the problem of throwing out the bath water, baby and all, with any EU proposals on regulation or policy on improving motorcyclists safety.
 
It’s all a balancing act as all this will not go away, so from Road Safety Consultations to EU Regulations to Road Safety reports, a certain flair to understanding the depth of these issues and how they are interlinked and can be dealt with, without ending up looking at an empty bath and sitting on a heavily regulated motorcycle.
 
View the Response and Links at Right To Ride EU.

Ace Cafe London, in association with StuntUK and the international StuntBike Freestyle (SBF) competition, have teamed up again to present the 3rd annual Ace Cafe London Streetfighter & Stunt Festival, to be held throughout the day from 10am on Sunday 29th July at the UK's premiere shopping centre, Brent Cross - one mile east from the cafe along the North Circular Road near the M1 Motorway.
  
In addition to trade and industry stands and displays, this increasingly popular annual event combines the cafe's legendary Streetfighter Sunday, as well as showcasing the live action final of the SBF competition, with stunt riders from across Europe and beyond taking part and competing in the "Maxxis Arena" for the coveted awards, Maxxis Tyres, Draggin Jeans and cash prize fund totalling £5K.
 
Individual Free Style
1st - £2K
2nd - 1K
3rd - £750
 
Longest Stoppie - £750
 
Sickest Trick - £500
 
Highlights of this prestigious event include "Best Streetfighter" static display and competition organised by Streetfighters Magazine, plus "Show Up n' Shine" competitions with awards and prizes to include a full "Styling Kit" to the value of approx. £1K, courtesy of Rizoma, Italy's renowned manufacturer of exclusive and exotic motorcycle jewellery.  
 
Other features include dyno shoot-out, tyre-frying burnouts and a wheelie machine for those who want to experience "Up in the air thrills, together with interactive stands and displays, live entertainment on the Ace stage includes with The Fuel Girls, and mixed with the music, the roar of engines and tyre-shredding drifters, along with the spectacular motorcycling aerobatics and hot tricks of the East Coast FMX Team, featuring Chris "Sir Swampy" Birch, widely acknowledged as Britain's No.1 FMX rider, a regular at the Red Bull X Fighters and BoldDog FMX British Championship winner, adrenaline will be pumping - let the games begin!
 
The London Rockin Rollers, who this year celebrate their 5th anniversary, having been rolling with the punches since 2007 with their eight wheeled thrills and spills, will be assisting in raising funds for London's Air Ambulance, which is once again the events chosen charity.
 
To enter your bike in the Streetfighters Magazine static display, please contact Will Jobbins at the magazine: [email protected] 
 
Tickets are available at the cafe and via the Ace on-line web shop as well as "On the gate on the day"
 
Buy your ticket at the cafe and you will receive a free tea or coffee.
 
Tickets:
£10 per person
£15 Family Ticket (available on the day)
 
Club & Group pre-booking concessions available - please contact Jan at the cafe on
[email protected] 
 
www.stuntuk.com
www.streetfightersmag.com
www.londonsairambulance.com
www.fuelgirls.co.uk
www.ecfmx.co.uk
www.maxxis.co.uk
www.rizoma.com
www.dragginjeans.net
www.londonrockinrollers.co.uk

As bikers ourselves, we thought a gentle reminder and some basic riding tips may be in order especially if you have not  ridden for a while.  

Always give yourself space.
People driving cars often don’t see motorcycle riders. Even when drivers do see you, chances are they’ve never been on a motorcycle and can’t properly judge your speed.  

Be visible at all times:

Remember that motorists often have trouble seeing motorcycles and reacting in time.
Make sure your headlight works and is on day and night. Use reflective strips or decals on your clothing and on your motorcycle.
Be aware of the blind spots cars and trucks have.
Flash your brake light when you are slowing down and before stopping. If a motorist doesn’t see you, don’t be afraid to use your horn.  
Dress for safety: Wear a quality helmet and eye protection. Wear bright clothing and a light-coloured helmet.
Wear leather or other thick, protective clothing. Choose long sleeves and pants, over-the-ankle boots, and gloves.
Remember – the only thing between you and the road is your protective gear.  

Apply effective mental strategies:

Constantly search the road for changing conditions.
Give yourself space and time to respond to other motorists’ actions.
Give other motorists time and space to respond to you.
Use lane positioning to be seen; ride in the part of a lane where you are most visible.
Watch for turning vehicles.
Signal your next move in advance.
Avoid weaving between lanes.
Pretend you’re invisible, and ride extra defensively.
Don't ride when you are tired or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
Know and follow the rules of the road.
Stick to the speed limit.  

Follow these basic steps to protect you and your beloved machine.

Don't miss your chance to save 10% on the price of Triumph LIVE tickets and secure your entry to the ultimate Triumph festival.

Extended from one to three days, Triumph Live 2012 promises a packed programme of action and entertainment including live bands both Friday and Saturday evenings; stunt riding shows; championship racing from the Triumph Triple Challenge; factory tours; road, track and off-road demo rides; plus a host of other displays and attractions, including the infamous Wall-of-Death and for those with a sense of adventure, a wheelie machine and DKS' cyclo try out.

Visitors will also be able to view the very latest range of Triumph motorcycles, together with a selection of some of the UK’s best customised Triumphs. Key bikes from Triumph’s history will be on display, as part of a unique exhibition exploring the 110 year anniversary, while those looking to kit themselves out with top quality riding apparel should head for the Triumph Clothing Megastore, where there will be a host of bargains waiting to be snapped up.

Million selling Brit award winners the Kaiser Chiefs will round off Saturday's action when they take to the stage to headline an evening of live music.

Tickets are selling fast, so don't miss out!

Early Bird Prices:

Friday: £20

Saturday: £24

Weekend: £43 

For full details on the worlds largest Triumph festival visit www.triumph-live.com

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