Ride smarter, be safer
The Department for Transport road casualty statistics for 2023-24 have revealed a significant fall in collisions resulting in motorcyclists’ deaths. Fatalities were down by 12 per cent, though it still meant 306 bikers lost their lives in the period reviewed.
But while that fall is welcome news, the sad fact is that motorcyclists still make up nearly a fifth of all road deaths, and motorbike riders had a death rate almost 40 times higher than car occupants when comparing the number of miles covered.
There is a strong claim, too, that the reduction in biker deaths is not down to improved bike handling, risk awareness or skills; rather, it is thanks to better healthcare responses to traumatic injuries. The number of serious injuries among bikers was down by only one per cent on 2022-23, with 16,756 bikers injured. Put simply, we’re not getting better as bikers, but doctors and nurses are getting better at saving us when we come a cropper.
Bikers are vulnerable…
The honest truth is that all bikers, from seasoned riders to those who are just starting their riding journeys, are vulnerable when on the road. We are sometimes hard to spot, we need only a tiny error to lose control, and our balance, handling and tyres are the only things keeping us off the tarmac.
Bad crashes can hit any biker, no matter how much experience they have.
According to ROSPA, the main reasons we crash are:
- inability to navigate bends, particularly on rural roads;
- instances of other vehicles impeding the path of motorcyclists when pulling out;
- collisions at junctions;
- accidents during overtaking manoeuvres;
- loss of control.
Here are some tips to help you ensure you don’t end up as a casualty figure. If we all ride smarter, we can make motorcycling safer.
Vehicle turning in front of you
A top reason for motorbike crashes is cars hitting us as they turn across our path. There are many reasons why this happens; sometimes the driver wasn’t paying attention, or perhaps the biker was masked by other vehicles or the background.
Whatever the reason, while we can’t drive their cars for them, if we ride at a speed that allows us to take stop quickly or take evasive action, we’re more likely to leave the potential collision site smiling.
Top riding tip: Always assume other road users haven’t seen you
Hitting a pothole, uneven road surface, ice or leaves
Sometimes we will come across a patch on the road that can cause us to momentarily lose control of our bikes if we strike it. It could be a deep pothole, or debris on the road such as dropped rubble from a building site. Riding at a safe speed improves our ability to handle anything that comes our way, allowing us to keep control.
Top riding tip: By riding at a reasonable speed, you’ll give yourself enough time to notice and react to these hazards
Cornering too fast
We may not be able to make the bend if we take it too quickly, or we fail to realise how tight the bend is. Approach all bends with care. Drop speed on approach, get a good look at the length and tightness of the bend and only hit the throttle as the exit approaches.
Avoid any sharp moves that can throw your balance.
Top riding tip: If you think you are hitting a corner too quickly, brake gently and keep a soft touch on the controls to regain your balance.
More top tips later in the week…