RIDER SAFETY
Research
'Wearing reflective or fluorescent clothing and white or light coloured helmets and using headlights in daytime could reduce serious injuries or death from motorcycle crashes by up to one third'... New research from New Zealand indicates that riders wearing any reflective or fluorescent clothing reduce the risk of crash-related injury by 37%. Compared with a black helmet, use of a white helmet was associated with a 24% lower risk. Light coloured helmets versus dark was associated with a 19% lower risk. And finally, use of headlights during the day was associated with a 27% lower risk *1 (As with most studies flaws in the research were highlighted, including that elements of these figures could be explained by the fact riders wearing high visibility clothing and white helmets are likely to be more safety conscious than other riders).
Note that past studies into the use of daytime lights have proved inconclusive. If you are interested in reading one of the most recent studies into the use of daytime lights then click here to read the Perlot and Prower 2003 report.
Statistics
Motorcyclists make up less than 1% of road traffic but account for 14% of deaths and serious injuries*2 / are 8 times more likely than a car driver to be involved in an injury accident, 20 times more likely to be injured themselves and 35 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured*3 / 583 motorcyclists (includes scooters and mopeds) died in road accidents in 2001, 7305 were killed or seriously injured...*4
Accident Causes in Greater London*5
| Accident Cause | Proportion of RTAs |
| Driving too close to the vehicle in front | 14.45% |
| Driver disobeying 'Stop' or 'Give Way' signs or road markings | 11.63% |
| Pedestrian crossing over the road heedless of traffic | 10.55% |
| Driver turning right without due care | 7.67% |
| Driver swerving or braking to avoid an accident | 4.07% |
| Pedestrian crossing over road masked by parked vehicles | 3.32% |
Safety advice
Clothing and equipment
Your clothing should be:
- brightly coloured or fluorescent by day / reflective by night
Always assume that drivers and pedestrians have NOT seen you, ride DEFENSIVELY
- comfortable to wear (to allow you to fully concentrate on your riding)
- suitable for the current climatic conditions (not too hot or cold)
and should:
- offer you protection during a fall from your bike
Only buy approved helmets which are certified to British standards
Don't forget to wear sturdy footwear with adequate grip for when you are static
Riding safely
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Always ride defensively, assume that drivers and pedestrians have NOT seen you, keep your speed appropriate to the conditions (wet / uneven or loose road surface) and try to anticipate peoples' actions.
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Keep checking your mirrors, be aware of your surroundings especially at junctions and roundabouts.
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Be aware of road hazards, such as manhole covers, road markings and diesel spillages, which may be slippery in certain conditions, or which may be proud of the surrounding road surface. Loose grit on the outside edges of bends will also reduce tyre grip and may result in a slide. Try to avoid ridges and furrows which may cause your bike to follow an unwanted line.
- Take up a good road position (normally in the middle of your side of the road), where other motorists will be able to see you and from where you will be able to execute safe manoeuvres. This also means that you stay away from the loose dirt, excess water etc which is normally found at the edge of roads, and furthermore, being in the centre of your side of the road means that car drivers are forced to wait until they have a proper gap before overtaking (less chance of them cutting you up too).
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Only overtake when you know the road is clear ahead and after considering all other potential hazards.
- Always do a 'lifesaver glance' before executing any manoeuvre.
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References (Some Crown Copyright)
*1 British Medical Journal 10 April 2004 - Motorcycle rider conspicuity and crash related injury: case-control study by Susan Wells et al.
*2 Department of Transport - Tomorrow's roads: safer for everyone
*3 Grayson and Lester - Behavioural Research in Road Safety
*4 Department for Transport - Transport Statistics 2002: Road accident casualties: by road and severity 1991-2001: Section 4
*5 The Metropolitan Police Service, Traffic Division Accident Causation Figures 1996
(Compiled from the Department of Transport Accident Record Form STATS 19)