Category: Safety & Compensation

1. Saving money, but at what cost?

   Posted on 12:00am Thursday 26th Feb 2009

   RideSafe BackSafe is urging all recent converts to two wheels to take skills training as soon as they buy a motorcycle or scooter. The biker-dedicated road safety initiative is concerned that many road users are now turning to a cheaper mode of transport to beat the credit crunch and assuming that there driving skills are adequate.

   Shelby Williams, RideSafe BackSafe Project Lead explains;-

   “Motorcycle dealerships across the North West region are telling us that sales of scooters and smaller capacity motorcycles are surprisingly buoyant at the moment and this probably reflects the desire for many road users to find a cheaper way to travel. Generally speaking, the overall cost of a new machine, insurance and servicing is considerably less than for a car and commuters in particular, have realised this. However, when dealers recommend that customers book a skills training course or rider assessment scheme the take up is poor".

   Motorcycles and scooters make up about 1% of road traffic and yet nearly 20% of fatalities and serious injuries on our roads are bike riders. Although they are not always to blame, motorcyclists will usually come off worst in a collision and RideSafe BackSafe are keen to promote the many training and free assessment schemes currently available.

   The dedicated website www.ridesafebacksafe.co.uk  - offers a wealth of road safety advice and information about training options. Other organisations such as RoSPA, the Driving Standards Agency, Institute of Advanced Motoring and BSM also offer a variety of assessments and training courses to suit every rider’s needs.     

   Shelby Williams continues;-

   "Every road user should be concentrating, anticipating and observing all potential hazards around them, but on two wheels, there are many more skills required. Correct gear selection, ensuring others can see you by how you position yourself on the road and independent use of front and rear brakes are just three of the many skills that need to be learnt. Training, under the guidance of a qualified instructor, is the best route to becoming more competent and safer on the roads and reduced insurance premiums can be an added benefit".

2. SORRY MATE - I DIDN'T SEE YOU

   Posted on 9:01am Friday 30th May 2008

   The joys of motorcycling - including more predictable journey times and better fuel consumption - have encouraged a recent revival in biking, especially in urban areas.

   But according to Irish Advanced Motoristscommuters on two wheels have to cope with a host of hazards - not least, car drivers who for various reasons fail to see the motorcycle coming towards them.

   In the jargon, too often car drivers look, but fail to see, motorcycles.

   This problem is particularly acute at junctions and that is why it is the subject of an advertising campaign. "Sorry mate I didn't see you" is for too many bikers the last words they hear before they are put in the ambulance. Don’t forget to check carefully at junctions when you are emerging. An older slogan had the same affect: "Think once, think twice ... think bike".

   Apart from giving bikers a "second glance", there are other things that drivers can do to ease the passage of motorcycles, particularly in heavy congestion, that in turn will mean a safer journey for everybody.

   If you are stuck in dense traffic, keep checking your mirrors for bikes. These days they nearly all have their headlight on to make them easier to see. If the biker is trying to "filter" - make his way through the traffic by riding slowly between stationary vehicles, or riding on the white line in the middle of the road - make a point of creating space for them if you can do so in safety.

   By pulling over slightly, to one side or the other, you can make the difference between letting the biker past, or adding to the congestion. Remember to check all your mirrors first: you don't want to compromise the bicycle making its way along the nearside in order to allow passage to a biker.

   Never be tempted to vent your frustration with the traffic by getting in the way of a motorcycle on purpose. You won't go any faster and you may just contribute to a collision which of course will add to congestion rather than alleviate it.

   If you are the biker – don’t be aggressive, the car driver you upset today won’t be inclined to help tomorrow.

   And all this applies for pedal cyclists as well – both from car and cyclists point of view.