Category: Safety & Compensation

1. Motorbike insurance – how to find the best deal

   Posted on 9:00am Wednesday 1st Jul 2015

   Ensuring you have adequate motorbike insurance is as essential for a biker as having a helmet and leathers. However not all policies are the same so how do you know the policy you have provides all the cover you need?

   Know what to look for…

   Motorbike insurance is a legal necessity in the UK however many bikers just opt for the cheapest deal they can find. However, this can be a mistake as the cheapest deal may not offer the level of cover you require.

   Choose from:

   • Third party only: This covers liability for injuries to others and damage to their property.
   • Third party, fire and theft: All the protection of third party cover plus cover for your own bike against theft, attempted theft and fire damage.
   • Comprehensive: Everything that’s included in third party, fire and theft cover plus repairs to your own bike in the event of an accident (subject to policy exclusions). What’s offered under comprehensive motorbike insurance will usually vary between companies but typically includes medical expenses, accidental damage cover and personal accident cover.
   • Third party and third party, fire and theft policies are best suited to riders who are inexperienced or who have claims and convictions on their record as premiums for comprehensive insurance may be too high. A third party deal may also be suitable if you ride a relatively inexpensive bike.

   However, generally the more cover you have the better, which is why if you’re comparing comprehensive insurance you should examine the terms and conditions carefully to see exactly what is included in the policy – what is offered as standard by some insurance companies may not be included in other policies and there may also be optional extras to choose from – cover features for which you can pay an additional premium. Some of the policy options to look out for include: breakdown cover; legal expenses cover; a temporary replacement bike while yours is repaired; cover to ride other motorbikes (with the owner’s permission) in emergency situations; and travelling in Europe.

   What else should you consider?

   While the level of cover available should be your primary concern there are several other key factors that are worth considering while you shop around:

   • Excess levels: An excess is the amount you pay towards a claim. Usually this is split into a compulsory excess established by the insurance company itself and a voluntary excess, which is an additional amount you agree to pay, when taking the insurance out, in case a claim is necessary.
   • No-claims discounts: Making claims on your insurance costs your provider money – and so they rewards bikers who don’t make claims. Avoiding claims for four or more years could even reduce premiums by as much as 60 per cent.
   • Other discounts: There may be additional incentives offered by an insurer – for example you may get a discount for insuring more than one bike with the same company; and there may be discounts for buying online.
   • Policy exclusions: Read the terms and conditions of any policy that interests you carefully, and be on the lookout for exclusions (these are circumstances in which you will not be covered).

   So which company offers the best deal?

   There’s no set answer as to which motorbike insurance provider offers the best deal, or indeed which is the cheapest. This is because premiums can vary widely between insurers due to the assessments they make of how likely you are to make a claim – this can be influenced by factors including your riding history; your address – such as if you live in a busy traffic or high crime area; your annual mileage; your personal circumstances – do you use your bike as part of your job, for example; and the bike itself.

   Due to the contrasts in the way these factors are evaluated it makes sense to gather as many quotes as possible before settling on the best deal. A comparison website is a great starting point as the leading websites can compare policies from as many as 25 insurance companies. The key however, is to look beyond price alone (the cheapest deal is listed first) and also consider the level of cover you’re receiving.

   There are steps you can take to reduce premiums too – here are some quick tips:

   • Agree to a mileage limit: The fewer miles you travel, the lower the risk of an accident occurring.
   • Choose a suitable bike: Older bikes with smaller engines usually qualify for cheaper premiums as they are cheaper to repair/replace and less likely to travel at fast speeds.
   • Increase excess: Agreeing to a higher excess can lower premiums but keep it at a level you can comfortably afford.
   • Increase security: Consider adding electronic and mechanical security to reduce the risk of theft and park in a locked garage overnight.
   • Pay annually: By paying premiums upfront you can avoid interest charges.

   See our insurance section

2. Response to TfL motorcycle death figures in London

   Posted on 9:00am Friday 12th Jun 2015

   The Institute of Advanced Motorists' (IAM) response to the news that there were 127 deaths on London's roads in 2014, 27 of which were motorcyclists, last year is as follows:

   IAM's director of policy and research Neil Greig said: "Motorcycling is gaining in popularity in the capital where it offers an excellent solution to London's congestion problems, but it is worrying that deaths are on the increase. Drivers are clearly learning to look out for pedestrians and cyclists but the vulnerability of motorcyclists is often forgotten. As well as biker awareness campaigns for all road users the IAM would like to see easy access to extra training for those taking up urban commuting for the first time."

   www.iam.org.uk

3. New Cross Border Alliance creates unique specialist representation across Scotland and North West England

   Posted on 9:00am Tuesday 24th Mar 2015

   Lampkin & Co, one of the UK’s leading motorcycle accident law firms located near Chester servicing North West England and North Wales, has joined forces with Motorcycle Law Scotland to provide specialist cross-border legal expertise to motorcyclists injured in road traffic collisions in Scotland and the North West of England.

   The strategic alliance unites the market leaders in motorcycle accident representation and will see each firm refer clients when an accident happens in the other’s jurisdiction and where a different legal system operates. It also builds on the Cross Border Alliance set up a year ago between Motorcycle Law Scotland and Hipkin & Co to service the North East of England and Scotland.

   If a motorcyclist has a road traffic collision and is injured in Scotland but lives in England, their claim is subject to Scottish law and they therefore need to use the services of a Scottish firm. Likewise, if a Scottish motorcyclist has an accident in England, then they need to use a firm based in England or Wales as any claim is subject to the legal system of England and Wales.

   Brenda Mitchell, founder of Motorcycle Law Scotland with more than 27 years of experience as a personal injury lawyer, said, “By working together, both Motorcycle Law Scotland and Lampkin & Co Solicitors will ensure that cross-border clients receive the specialist representation they deserve when claiming for often very serious injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents. Motorcyclists injured in road traffic accidents need the benefit of expert knowledge that can only come from experienced motorcycling lawyers who are committed to providing the very highest standard of legal representation.”

   The alliance also aims to highlight the need to instruct independent, specialist motorcycle accident lawyers to fight a victim’s claim, rather than accept a solicitor ‘appointed’ by an insurer.

   When a motorcyclist is involved in a road traffic collision as a result of a driver’s negligence, they are entitled to claim for their loss, injury and damage. The choice of legal representation is up to the motorcyclist and not his or her insurer and, because of the unique nature of motorcycle accidents, it is best to instruct an independent specialist motorcycle accident lawyer.

   Mark Lampkin, owner of Lampkin & Co Solicitors added, “As expert bike accident lawyers, our clients will often come back to us or refer friends to us and quite often the accidents happen when they are on tour over the border. We have been looking for a firm in Scotland who we could trust with our client’s claims and I am delighted to have found a true diamond.”

4. Motorcycle theft is reduced to zero in Westminster ‘hotspot’

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 6th Jan 2015

   Motorcycle thieves are now avoiding St James’s Square in London, thanks to a series of anti-theft initiatives.

   The Square was identified as one of four ‘hotspots’ for motorcycle theft by Westminster City Council, with around 52 motorcycles or scooters stolen each year from its parking bays -  around one a week. £1 million worth of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds have been stolen from the whole of the City of Westminster since April 2014 - a total of 191.

   Since September though, none have been taken from St James’s Square, as a result of a series of measures put in place by Westminster City Council through working in partnership with the Metropolitan Police and security marking specialists Datatag.  This could be rolled out to other ‘hotspots’.

   How this was done?

   Westminster City Council and Datatag advertised a day in September to offer riders the chance to get their motorcycles security ‘tagged’ on site for just £50, including fitting.  This resulted in a steady queue of riders taking advantage of this offer.

   Tagging involves applying a combination of highly visible and hidden security markers, which deter thieves but also help the police recover vehicles if they are stolen.  Fitting takes around 25 minutes to complete.

   The Metropolitan Police were also on hand to check the Police National Computer to make sure the bikes weren’t stolen in the first place.  After the tagging took place, warning signs were put up to let thieves know that users of the parking bay had security marked their bikes.

   Community Protection Officer for Westminster City Council Paul King, who has led on this project explained: “We are determined to reduce motorcycle theft in the City of Westminster and to give parking customers the best possible experience, which includes coming back to find your bike where you parked it.   We have applied a combination of measures in partnership with the Metropolitan Police and Datatag, which alerts riders as to the risk and gives them the means to avoid them. We aim to repeat the opportunity for riders to have their motorcycles and scooters marked in the New Year for riders who use Berkeley Square parking, as we feel this provided a turning point in St James’s Square, which we would like to repeat for other theft ‘hotspots’ in the City. We would also urge any rider who parks near an anchor point to make sure they use it. All these measures clearly work, but only if riders stay vigilant.”

   Steve Kenward, CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Association, which invented the MASTER* Security Scheme – the UK’s first national, official tagging scheme for new bikes, says this concerted effort by Westminster City Council proves that marking works.

   “We are delighted to hear the part security marking is playing in eliminating theft in St James’s Square and applaud Westminster City Council’s systematic approach in dealing with it and would like to see other London councils making such an effort. The underlying message gained from this exercise is that thieves like easy pickings.  Make it as hard as possible for them to steal in the first place and if they do, make sure your bike is marked.  This makes it easy for the police to secure a prosecution when they find a stolen motorcycle or scooter and helps them return it to its rightful owner. Riders who don’t want the inconvenience of having a motorcycle or scooter stolen have a number of options.  They now have a huge choice of new bikes which are automatically MASTER tagged, and they can have older bikes security marked retrospectively.  We feel this is clearly acting as a huge deterrent to thieves, who are switching their attention to unmarked bikes. Thieves are looking for easy pickings, so make sure your bike doesn’t fall into that category.

   “Over 70,000 new bikes have been marked since we introduced the MASTER scheme, which makes these bikes far less likely to be stolen.  It makes sense to make sure your motorcycle is tagged, either by buying a new model, which fits this as standard, or by retro fitting it.”

   Westminster City Council has since added 78 ground anchors to the parking bay, which offer an additional highly visible deterrent. When riders secure their bikes to anchor points it makes it difficult for thieves to just lift up a scooter or motorcycle and put it into a van – a common way for thieves to steal an unsecured bike.

   Over the past few years an average of  24,000 motorcycles have been stolen annually in the UK, half of which are taken from London streets, with motorcycle theft in Westminster accounting for 55% of all vehicles stolen.

   This is becoming much less of a problem for newer bikes, as most major manufacturers have signed up to the MASTER scheme, which means bikes are tagged from the beginning. The MASTER scheme was developed two years ago with Home Office backing, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police force and with support from the Association of Chief Police Officers.

   Over 70,000 new motorcycles and scooters have now been protected and registered with the MASTER Security Scheme since January 2013.  First year figures for the scheme show that between January 2013 and January 2014 only 185 MASTER tagged motorcycles were stolen across the whole UK.

   31,000 new motorcycles were protected by MASTER Scheme during this period, which represents a theft rate of 0.6%, compared to an historic rate of 2.4%.  Unfortunately the problem is shifting to unmarked bikes.  Motorcycles or scooters which are unprotected by security marking or any visible means of security are now far more likely to be stolen than those which are protected.

   About the MASTER scheme:

   ·         *MASTER stands for Motorcycle and Scooter Tagged Equipment Register and was launched in 2012.  Participating manufacturers include BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki, Triumph, Yamaha and Harley-Davidson.

   ·         It was developed by the Motorcycle Industry Association with Home Office backing in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police force in response to the considerable nuisance that motorcycle theft caused to motorcyclists, the police, insurers and the industry. It is powered by Datag technology.

   Facts about motorcycle theft

   ·         Many motorcycles are broken up into parts within hours of being stolen and reassembled onto legal frames, which have log books.  This can net thieves thousands of pounds a day.**

   ·         80% of these ‘clones’ find their way into the legitimate dealer network, therefore before the MASTER Scheme it was virtually impossible for dealers or the police to identify stolen parts.**

   ·         For those innocent people who unwittingly buy stolen vehicles and have their bikes seized by the police, 90% do not continue with motorcycling.**

   ·         43% of all insurance pay outs are due to theft (according to MCIA research).

   **(Facts and figures supplied by the Motorcycle Crime Reduction Group).

   MCIA

   ·         The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) represents around 90% of the supply side of the motorcycle industry. Members are manufacturers and importers, service providers, accessory and component suppliers. 

   ·         MCIA works closely with road safety partners to improve safety for motorcyclists and recently launched a landmark policy document with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to encourage greater use of motorcycles on UK roads, which should improve road safety as a result. See Realising the Motorcycling Opportunity; A motorcycle safety and transport policy framework.

   www.mcia.co.uk

5. Police and Motorcycle Industry launch policy framework calling for increased and safer motorcycle use

   Posted on 8:14am Monday 8th Dec 2014

   The Motorcycle Industry Association and Association of Chief Police Officers are launching a landmark policy document today, to encourage greater use of motorcycles on UK roads, which should improve road safety as a result.

   Realising the Motorcycling Opportunity; A motorcycle safety and transport policy framework was jointly devised by police and industry, in response to the slowdown of reductions in rider casualties.

   Though rider safety has improved considerably since 2000, motorcyclists are currently over represented in road fatality statistics (1% of traffic, 19% of fatalities). This could be reduced with government support.

   Both police and industry agree traditional road safety policies directed at motorcycling will only partially deliver more positive outcomes for motorcycle safety beyond those already achieved. However, encouraging rather than discouraging motorcycling, should contribute to better safety outcomes.

   The document, which will be unveiled at a Parliamentary Reception hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Motorcycle Group on Monday 8th December, calls for motorcycles to be included in mainstream transport policy and sets out a framework of practical recommendations addressing how this might be achieved.

   Why should government and transport planners take note?

   Two-wheeled transport offers an antidote to congestion. Motorised two-wheeled transport is particularly effective at keeping traffic moving. A Belgian study*, which modelled a shift from cars to motorcycles on one of the most congested roads in Europe, found that when just 10% of car drivers swapped to a powered two wheeler, then congestion was reduced for all road users by 40%. When 25% of drivers swapped, congestion was eliminated altogether.

   Over the coming years, it is likely increasing numbers of people will opt for two-wheeled vehicles, whether bicycles, fully motorised two-wheelers, or a cross between the two. It is also likely some cyclists will migrate to motorised forms of two-wheeled transport and vice-versa. The Government has an opportunity to tackle safety issues faced by all vulnerable road users in an integrated and therefore more cost effective way.

   Why encourage motorcycle use?

   The idea that more motorcycles on the road improves rider safety was initially based on European data, which shows that when a greater percentage of traffic is made up of motorcycles, mopeds or scooters, riders are less likely to be involved in an accident.

   With around 50 per cent** of motorcycle accidents initiated by other road users, an effective programme to raise awareness of all road users could considerably reduce the number and seriousness of incidents.

   There is a growing body of evidence which shows that if more people started their road careers on a motorcycle, scooter or moped, this would lead to improvements in driver behaviour towards all vulnerable road users. It is also acknowledged that motorcyclists make better road users when driving cars.

   The friends and relatives of motorcyclists are also more aware of vulnerable road users – a psychological factor, which forms the basis of successful road safety initiatives.

   Some of the measures called for in the paper include:

   Education for all road users

   One theory test for all road users (motorcyclists have to do a different one to drivers)
   Compulsory road user awareness lessons within the school curriculum
   A culture of post-test training for all vehicle modes
   Perception

   · More comprehensive breakdown of motorcycle accident statistics

   · Encourage a ‘two-wheel paradigm’ to embrace all two-wheeled transport and stop excluding motorcycles

   · Include motorcycle use as core part of overall transport policy, along with walking, cycling and public transport.

   Incentives

   Grants for electric vehicles to include electric motorcycles not just electric cars (cars won’t help reduce congestion)
   Training and safety

   Continue progress made in setting new standards in motorcycle training through the Motorcycle Industry Accreditation Centre (MCIAC)
   Training upgrade for those who hold a licence for a smaller bike, but want to upgrade to a larger one.
   Develop coherent and appropriate clothing and equipment standards
   Promote the use of Motorcycle Guidelines, recently updated by the Institute of Highways Engineers
   · Nationwide utilisation of the BikeSafe voluntary assessment programme

   · Greater use of the RIDE scheme (a course for motorcyclists displaying anti-social behaviour)

   Quotes

   Deputy Chief Constable Tim Madgwick, Motorcycling Lead for the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) explains why they have joined forces with the MCIA: “Over recent years, the number of motorcycle casualties has reduced which is encouraging. However, this reduction seems to be slowing, with the emphasis moving away from progress in safety and too many motorcyclists are still being killed and injured on the roads. After taking over as the ACPO Motorcycling Lead, I wanted to ensure that casualty reduction was still a priority and I am pleased that these views were shared by MCIA and that we have been able to work together to build this framework which should see some real advancement in improving road safety, particularly for motorcyclists.

   “Through this joint work, we hope to make some sustained changes to see improvements for motorcycle safety and a greater recognition of the wider impacts of increased powered two-wheeler use. The framework places education at the heart of it with some proposed transformations to improve the theory test and greater recognition and use of BikeSafe and the RIDE scheme. These are changes that I hope to see make some really positive steps towards reducing the numbers of casualties on our roads.”

   Steve Kenward, CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) is clear that inclusion in transport policy is the only way forward to improve safety: “For too long, the Government, local authorities and transport planners seem to have deliberately avoided talking about motorcycle use, a practice which will increasingly fail as a method of reducing rider accidents. Motorcycles need to be treated as a legitimate form of transport, which can save time, space and money for commuters, whilst having the added benefit of reducing congestion for all road users.”

   Steve Baker MP, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Motorcycle Group, which is hosting the Parliamentary Reception, gave a personal view of why motorcycles should be encouraged: “It’s time for officialdom to stop seeing motorcycling as a problem. Increased motorcycle use offers affordable access to personal transport and an antidote to congestion. As a lifelong motorcyclist myself, I have first-hand experience of the benefits that commuting by motorcycle can bring. I would be delighted to see the Government adopt a more encouraging approach to motorcycle use. 

   “If we want to reduce congestion and improve the quality of people’s lives, we need to embrace all forms of two-wheeled transport. This document gives a clear framework as to how that can be achieved while improving safety for all road users.”

   The MCIA represents around 90% of the supply side of the UK motorcycle industry. Members include manufacturers and importers of motorcycles, clothing and accessories, as well as insurers, finance providers and road safety partners.

   · BikeSafe is a workshop offered by many police forces, which helps riders appraise their own riding and directs them towards post test training.

   · * Study was commissioned by the Belgian Automobile Federation, Febiac, and conducted by research company - Transport and Mobility Leuven. Report title: Commuting by Motorcycle; Impact analysis of an increased share of motorcycles in commuting traffic (September 2011)

   · **Figures supplied by insurance aggregate based on over 65,000 quotes.