Campaigns
MAG Position - Bikesafe 2000
Police and DETR Road Accident figures advise that the UK has recently suffered a disturbing rise in the numbers of accidents involving motorcyclists. To address this problem many Police areas have devised initiatives, which endeavour to reverse this alarming trend. The best known example of this type of 'Community Policing' is North Yorkshire's BIKESAFE 2000, which MAG wholeheartedly supports, and which is proving to reduce the numbers of motorcyclists killed and seriously injured.
The salient points that emerge from the initiative are as follows.
(a) Set up a regular forum of interested parties, e.g. Institute of Advanced Motorists / MAG / BMF / retailers / Police Motorcycle Officers / Training Agencies / Road Safety Officers.
(b) Manufacturers / Retailers to offer discounted track days for riders to establish their capability limits on newly acquired machines.
(c) Road Safety Videos of 'TT' style dangerous roads made available to bike clubs / MAG groups and advertised via posters at biker pubs and cafes, etc.
(d) Maps of popular racetrack roads, showing blackspots and giving statistical information of causes of accidents etc. Display maps at biker meeting places, both local to the road shown on the map and elsewhere.
(e) Interested parties to offer regular rider assessment days, possibly with dealer / other sponsored prizes as inducements.
(f) Ensure re-laid road surfaces after roadwork / repairs are the same as previous known quality.
(g) Evaluate and rationalise road furniture, ensure moderate bends are not chevroned more than bad bends, etc.
(h) Road signs of racing circuit type, showing degree and full direction of bends, not just standard highway signs.
(i) Encourage media to adopt a more responsible reporting, a change of emphasis from 'get out and have a go' to 'know you / your bikes parameters and get there safely'.
As a general summary, we feel it is most productive if the Police take a more pragmatic and less heavy-handed view and instead of saying ' you must not speed along these roads' instead said 'use speed safely'.
MAG is able to contribute a positive, informed and important input into this initiative. Please ensure BIKESAFE is started in your own area by contacting the local Police Traffic Department. If you have already done this, please inform Motorcycle Action Group so our records may be updated.
MAG UK© October 2001 All rights reserved.
