Motorcyclists
FACT: motorcyclists represent only 1% of road traffic. But they account for over 20% of all road deaths and serious injuries.
Think motorcyclist when you’re driving
Motorcyclist and cyclists both require extra care when you are driving. They are the most vulnerable road users.
- Take more time to look for bikes. When you are approaching or pulling out of a junction, look out for motorcyclists as they are much harder to see, and this makes them very vulnerable.
- Keep at a safe distance. Don’t follow a bike too close as it can put unnecessary pressure on an inexperienced motorcyclist.
- Remember your blind spot. A motorcyclist may be moving into a lane you want to occupy faster than you think, or you might not have seen them. Always Think “blind spot”.
- When turning, check for bikes. Large vehicles or parked cars can obstruct your view of a motorcyclist.
- Motorcyclists might pass you on either side. When you are turning left or right, double check for motorcyclists.
- After parking, when opening car doors – always check for motorcyclists.
- When pulling away, remember to look and look again. Motorcyclists are much harder to see.
- Motorcyclists are 75 (seventy-five) times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in severe or fatal crashes than car drivers.
- Young riders aged 16 to 19 years on mopeds and small engine motorcycles are in the highest risk.
- About 8 out of 9 deaths for users of small motorcycles and mopeds occur on roads with a speed limit of 40 mph or less.
- Motorcyclist injuries and deaths are mainly males.
Warning!
According to The Police Foundation, In Great Britain in 2016, over 19,297 motorcyclists were injured in reported road accidents. From this, 319 bikers were killed and 5,553 were seriously injured. While this may sound drastic, the figures demonstrate a 3% decrease in bike-related casualties of 3% between 2015 and 2016.
Source: sorrymate.com