| As EuroRAP highlights the continuing vulnerability
of motorcyclists, a National Motorcycling
Strategy aims to encourage safer riding – and more consideration
from authorities.
Meanwhile, over the page, the MCI describes its unique attempt
to cut casualties |
Drivers and bikers behaviour
needs to be focused on looking out for each other |
 |
| “Stopping
wilfully
dangerous biking
behaviour on
just a few
higher-risk
roads will not
significantly
reduce
motorcyclist
casualties” |
|
A “mini massacre” of motorcyclists on some rural main
roads continues to undermine significant engineering-inspired improvements,
according to an analysis by the European Road Assessment Programme
(EuroRAP).
While Britain’s roads are becoming safer for motorists,
bikers are 30 times more likely to be killed than car drivers on
high-speed rural roads. These roads, designated “high-risk” by
EuroRAP are typically single carriageway, in rural, often hilly
areas; have low-to-medium levels of traffic; and are in, or on
the way to, attractive destinations such as national parks.
For example, on Britain’s most dangerous road, the A537
from Macclesfield to Burton-on-Trent, 26 of the 27 fatal and serious
collisions from 2000–02 involved motorcycles. A further year’s
data shows that the road had fewer motorcycle collisions (20) during
2001–03 than 2000–02, but it continues to head the
list of higher-risk roads. The 2005 EuroRAP report says: “Without
the motorcycle collisions, the A537 would have lower-than-average
risk.”
The report adds: “On 160 (19%) of the 850 road sections
studied, at least a third of all fatal and serious collisions involved
motorcyclists. This figure shows that the problem is widespread.
It critically highlights the fact that stopping wilfully dangerous
biking behaviour on just a few higher-risk roads will not significantly
reduce motorcyclist casualties.” Consequently, says EuroRAP,
the challenge to motorcyclists is to ride more safely and to authorities
to protect road users.
The number of moped and motorcycle riders killed or injured on
Britain’s roads continues to escalate, according to Department
for Transport figures. Data for 2003 – the latest available – reveals
that 665 moped riders and bikers were killed that year, a total
of 6,540 were seriously injured and, in total, 27,733 riders were
crash casualties. Now, with an increasing number of people turning
to bikes and scooters to beat ever-increasing traffic congestion,
Britain’s first National Motorcycling Strategy has been unveiled.
The strategy, revealed earlier this year, covers a range of issues,
including suitable infrastructure, traffic management measures,
motorcycle design, safety issues including improved training and
taxation. Specific safety-related measures in the Department for
Transport strategy include:
- Ensuring that transport planning and infrastructure decisions
fully take motorcycling into account
- The importance of motorcycle design continuing to improve
with, for example, the fitting of ABS brakes
- Improving the attitudes and behaviour of both drivers and
bikers to ensure a focus on looking out for each other
- Improvements in pre-test and post-test training
- A review of the motorcycle test
 |
|
| “Now that
the National
Motorcycle
Strategy is in
place, we can
move forward
and further
develop policies
that can improve
safety, access
and security” |
|
A spokesman for the Motor Cycle Industry Association says: “Now
that the National Motorcycle Strategy is in place, we can move
forward and further develop policies that can improve safety, access
and security for motorcycle users.”
The launch of the National Motorcycle Strategy followed publication
by the Association of Constructors of European Motorcycles, which
represents the motorcycle industry in Europe, of its “Plan
for Action”, which aims to develop an integrated European
safety policy for motorcycling in support of the European Commission’s
initiatives to reduce road deaths by 50% by 2010.
Recommendations are numerous, but include:
- The practical motorcycle test to include skills which address
hazard awareness and loss of control while executing emergency
manoeuvres
- Sharing best practice in terms of awareness-raising campaigns
and training schemes for other vehicle drivers
- Improved conspicuity, particularly in relation to on-bike
improvements
- Bike manufacturers committing themselves to increase the number
of bikes with advanced braking systems on the market, so that
by 2010 the majority of newly-sold machines will have such systems,
at least as an option
- Campaigns to emphasise the importance of using helmets and
helmet retention systems to avoid helmets coming off during an
accident
- Manufacturers to research airbag fitment to motorcycles
- Involvement in the e-safety debate and the possibility of
such systems fitted on motorcycles as an aid to riders in post-crash
situations
- Raising the awareness of road engineers to accommodate the
specific requirements of bikers
|
Bad behaviour gets a red card
Thames Valley Police, for the second year in succession,
has launched an initiative called Safer Rider, to reduce
the growing number of deaths and serious injuries of motorcyclists
on the roads of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.
From April 2002 to March 2003, 37 motorcyclists were
killed and 300 were seriously injured on Thames Valley
roads. The figures reveal that motorcyclists make up less
than 1% of traffic, but account for more than 20% of road
deaths. Under the Safer Rider scheme, one of the first
initiatives of its kind in the country and run in conjunction
with DriveTech (UK), football-style red or yellow cards
are given to motorcyclists who are stopped by Thames Valley
police.
The yellow card – effectively a verbal warning – is
for minor offences that warrant advice from police, but
not prosecution. This would usually be given for manoeuvres
in which the rider could get into danger, but with guidance
could amend their behaviour and remain safe. The aim of
the yellow card is to encourage riders to seek further
training through approved training bodies. The red card – a “sending-off ” – is
for more serious traffic offences such as careless or inconsiderate
riding.
The motorcyclist who is stopped will be given a choice
of either attending a DriveTech (UK) rider improvement
course or prosecution. If the rider chooses the one-day
course of theory and practical riding at their own expense
they will not have to pay a fine or receive penalty points
on their licence. Both red and yellow cards are issued
at the discretion of the officer who has stopped the rider.
The full-day motorcycle course is composed of four hours
of classroom-based theory and three-hours of on-the-road
training with an instructor. The theory session includes
an hour-long on-line perception and performance training
assessment that measures a motorcyclist’s hazard
perception, speed awareness and attitude. It is followed
by classroom discussions focused on high-risk areas identified
in the assessment and factors associated with improving
motorcycle-riding skills such as rider stress, frustration
and excitement.
The practical sessions see two motorcyclist course delegates
under the watchful eye of one instructor, who is in mobile
communication with them, put into practice their new safer
riding skills. A website has been developed giving valuable
safety advice about biking routes throughout the Thames
Valley. Hazards and possible dangers are highlighted in
a comprehensive commentary concerning common biker routes.
There are also pages of rider tips, details of how to seek
further training, events, advice to car drivers, full details
of the red and yellow cards and enforcement, and tips on
how to keep your bike safe from thieves. Publicity material
is geared towards encouraging riders to visit the website,
which can be found at: www.thamesvalley.uk/safer-rider
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