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BIKES DON'T KILL PEOPLE, RIDERS DO
Police are urging motorcyclists to take care after an alarming rise in the rate of fatalities in
the Avon and Somerset force area.
The hard-hitting message from police is that bikes don't kill people - riders do.
In 2004 there were 21 fatalities involving motorcycles in the force area - a rise of 91 per cent on the previous year and the highest number for the past nine years.
Research has shown that men aged between 30 and 49, riding 125cc-plus motorbikes taking excessive risks in terms of speed and lack of judgement.
In 2002 and 2003, the force experienced an encouraging trend of two consecutive years of reductions in the rate of motorcycle-related fatalities.
But last year the trend took an alarming twist.
Although motorcycle sonly account for one per cent of traffic on our roads, they account for 22 per cent of road deaths. The increase in fatalities is in line with an increase in motorcycle ownership and use nationally.
But it is a trend that police are determined to see reversed.
Superintendent Lawrie Lewis, head of the force's Road Policing Unit, said: "This upward trend in fatalities is both a cause of extreme concern and is also very disappointing.
"Many of these fatalities could be avoided by the motorcyclists themselves taking more responsibility for their safety, and by them riding in a more responsible manner.
"Those who are perhaps returning to riding after a break should consider the power of the bikes they are buying.
"Buying a machine too powerful to safely handle is putting their own lives, and those of other road users, at risk."
Police are urging motorcycle traders to reinforce the police efforts to encourage greater road safety by urging motorcyclists to ensure they have appropriate training.
To aid that effort, Avon and Somerset police are again offering a range of special safety sessions this spring.
Under the 'Bikesafe' and 'Ride To Arrive' banners, the sessions offer people the chance to have their skills scrutinised by highly-trained police experts.
Supt Lewis said: "Many of the collisions that involve motorcyclists could have been prevented by better planning, observations and positioning.
"Ride To Arrive courses are designed to enable motorcyclists to understand, practice and sharpen up these important skills."
The Ride To Arrive courses have been running for several years and have provided very popular.
This year there will be one day motorbike safety seminars at Bath on March 2 (call 01225 394259 for details), at Taunton on April 10 (01823 358190) and in Bristol on April 24.
There will also be Ride To Arrive weekend events, which include ride-outs with police officers.
These events, all at Portishead, will run on April 1-3, 15-17, and May 13-15. For details of these events, call 01823 363200.
Supt Lewis said: "By refreshing their skills, and taking care on the roads, riders will be able to enjoy their motorcycling and arrive safely at their destinations.
"I would urge riders to take advantage of the expertise on offer at these various sessions.
"We want to do everything we can to help reduce the number of fatalities but we cannot do it alone. We need the co-operation and commitment of the riders themselves, who must take some responsibility for their safety and riding skills."
Police will be reinforcing all the safety messages with a pro-active campaign in May, a month which traditionally sees an increase in casualties as more bikers take to the roads in better weather.
Officers will be carrying out stop-checks throughout the force area and will be encouraging riders to take on further training.
Much more information is available from a series of dedicated website pages, which can be found at www.ridetoarrive.org
Avon and Somerset Constabulary on 16 February 2005.
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