028/10 - 16   April  2010

Bikers at risk on Wealden's roads

In the past three years 113 motorcyclists have been killed or seriously injured on Wealden's roads - that is over a third of the serious motorcycle accidents that happen in East Sussex.

"One of largest groups involved in local road accidents is in fact  motor cyclists aged between 25 - 45 on larger motorbikes," said Councillor Johanna Howell, who chaired Wealden District Council's Community Scrutiny working party which has been looking at road safety. "It is not reckless youth that is the worry, but over-confident middle age."

"There is a growing number of  people who ride powerful motorcycles as a hobby. These weekend riders don't  ride much in winter, but take to the road when the warm weather comes.  For some, it may have been a long time since they rode regularly and it is important to drive sensibly on our winding country roads.

"The statistics are shouting out that they should take care."

Of the 138 people were killed or seriously injured  on Wealden's roads last year,  38 were motor cyclists. The risk is further highlighted by the fact that motor cycles and mopeds only account for 3 per cent of motor vehicles on the roads.

Bigger bikes, with engines over 500cc,  feature in most of the serious accidents involving motorcycles over the last three years. Of the 113  people killed or seriously injured on motor bikes during this three-year period,  80 were riding bikes over 500cc,  and 49 of these were aged over 35 years.

Car drivers have their part to play by Thinking Bike at all times. This involves using both wing mirrors and the rear mirror,  and being aware of the car's blind spots  so that any manoeuvring by the car doesn't affect  motor bikes or cyclists.

Failing to look  properly - either by the driver or rider - is the  biggest contributory factor to crashes in Wealden.  It is a factor in one in every four accidents.  Travelling too fast for the conditions and  failing to judge another vehicle's  path or speed are the other two main contributory  factors to deaths  and injuries on the district's roads.

"Whether you are a car driver or a motorcyclist, travelling at sensible speed and taking the time to look properly are vital to safe motoring," said Cllr Howell.  "Especially when you realise that three quarters of all the serious accidents in Wealden take place within 10 miles of the driver's home."

BikeSafe is a one-day course run by Sussex Police to give motorcyclists riding tips and insights into possible hazards of the road. It's ideal for weekend and hobby bikers and those who are returning to biking after a number of years.

Sharing Responsibility - Changing Behaviour, the report on road safety in Wealden produced by the District Council's Community Scrutiny Committee, includes 17 recommendations to try to reduce the number of casualties on Wealden's roads. These include introducing a rural driving section to the driving test, seeking road engineering solutions at accident black-spots, encouraging vehicles to carry high visibility jackets, fire extinguishers and warning triangles, and working with partners to encourage greater provision of public transport in rural areas.

Note to Editors:

A full copy of Wealden District Council's road safety report, Sharing Responsibility - Changing Behaviour, can be downloaded from the Wealden website, http://www.wealden.gov.uk/health_and_public_safety/Crime_and_Disorder/RoadSafety.aspx

For further information: