New safety advice gives guidance to motorcycle commuters
A new guide aims to promote safe driving techniques for people who use low powered motorbikes particularly mopeds to get to and from work.
Research shows that there has been an increase in the number of crashes in Devon involving lower powered motorbikes.
One theory is that more people are using low powered bikes these days as they are more economical to use and riders can make savings on fuel costs.
The guide has been developed with the help of a Max Rider instructor, who has 25 years riding experience, a police advanced riding qualification and 10 years of experience as a full time police motorcyclist. It looks at common scenarios and provides motorists with the information they need to stay safer on their commute to work.
Road junctions are very often a risk area. A common scenario is the SMIDSY (‘sorry mate, I didn’t see you’) when a vehicle pulls out into the path of the rider. Riders can take action to reduce the risk by looking out for junctions where vehicles may emerge in front of them, trying not to ride in the gutter and checking behind them and moving away on the approach to junctions.
The guide also contains advice about positioning in the road, overtaking, safe distances and driving on slippery road surfaces.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Cabinet Member for Highways says; "It seems that most collisions happen where a driver is at error when pulling out of a junction into the bikers right of way. This is obviously very worrying and our main message to drivers is to look out for motorcyclists at junctions and likewise to urge those on bikes to make themselves as visible as possible. The motorcyclists guide is a valuable and useful resource and I would recommend anyone using this form of transport to read it; it could save your life"
Devon County Council is working with a number of businesses in Devon whose employees travel by motorbike to talk to them about how to stay safe on the county's roads. If employers would like paper copies of the guide they can email bikers@devon.gov.uk
The Council is also working with its partner agencies such as Devon Fire and Rescue to hand out the motorbike safety booklets.
In addition, officers will be targeting commuters through the Sustainable Travel Roadshows.
For more information about Max Rider, click here.
Figures show that in 2012, there were 191 incidents involving low-powered motorcycles. Around a third of these related to either failing to look properly or failing to judge the other road user's path or speed.
The majority of crashes happen during typical commuting times, between 6am and 9am and again between 4pm and 6pm.
