Summer is finally here and once again our roads are filling up with motorcyclists keen to make the most of the great weather. If you’re one of those motorcyclists you need to be seriously careful because according to government statistics, bikers make up 1% of the total traffic on UK roads, but account for over 20% of casualties. If you’re a rider you should be terrified by that stat.
It’s no surprise though, because a bike has no side impact bars, crumple zones or airbags to save you when things go pear-shaped, which is why every time you ride you need to stick to a few simple rules. A minor error of judgment that a car driver might shrug off could prove fatal for a biker.
According to official figures, the things most likely to cause a motorcyclist to come to grief are failing to negotiate bends on rural A-roads, collisions at junctions, collisions while overtaking and loss of control. The latter one is a bit of a catch-all as it could be because of poor positioning on a bend or riding too fast for the conditions. Either way, sticking to these simple rules could mean the difference between life and death.

Be seen
It’s reckoned that a third of daytime collisions between cars and motorbikes occur because the driver hasn’t seen the rider; this rises to half of crashes after dark. So every time you go out you need to ensure you’re as visible as possible, which means wearing a fluorescent jacket and keeping your headlight switched on – or at least ensuring that your daytime running lights are working if your bike has them.
Positioning on the road is also key, so don’t hug the gutter and stay about two-thirds out from the kerb as this is where most car drivers are used to looking. Keep a decent amount of space around you and don’t tuck in behind or beside other vehicles that could obscure you from view.
When approaching a junction to the side, if it’s safe, consider altering your sideways position in the road and move further away from vehicles that may be exiting the junction. This will increase your safety margin and the lateral movement can also make you easier to see.
Be prepared
Defensive riding is all about staying one step ahead of the game and riding in a style and with a mindset that puts you in the safest position to deal with anything that the road – or other road users – can throw at you.

• Look up. The further you look, the more you’ll see. Knowing everything that’s going on around you is key to avoiding dangerous situations. Don’t be afraid to move to get a better view.
• Anticipate problems. The more time you have to react to a hazard the more likely you are to deal with it safely. Police riders recommend commenting aloud on an upcoming hazard, detailing what you intend to do.
• Put two and two together. A stationary bus means pedestrians, a bouncing ball in the road means children at play, a bare, open road means crosswinds. Experience can help you predict hazards before they appear.
• Check your blind spots. Doing your rearward safety checks isn’t just something you do to pass your test, it’s a potentially life-saving habit which is why it’s known as the lifesaver. Make sure you keep it up.
• Give yourself space. Staying a safe distance behind the vehicle in front will increase your range of vision as well as giving you space to stop in an emergency. Give parked cars at the side of the road plenty of clearance. Allow for car doors opening or pedestrians appearing from between parked cars, particularly in crowded streets. Position your bike accordingly and reduce speed as the space around you is reduced.

Cornering
Losing control while cornering is one of the biggest causes of accidents involving motorcycles. Left-hand bends present a bigger danger, because if you lose control here you generally end up sliding towards oncoming traffic. For each corner you take, keep these five steps in mind and remember you’re more likely to make a rash decision if you haven’t planned ahead.

• Consider all the information available all around, and allow for changes in the road surface or weather.
• Position yourself to minimise risk and give yourself the best view of the road ahead. Try to judge the corner’s radius and be prepared to change position. Don’t lean into the other lane, putting your head in the path of oncoming traffic.
• Adjust your speed before entering the corner, not while negotiating the bend.
• Using the correct gear will help you control the machine and could determine whether you could use your throttle to react to a situation.
• Can you stop in the distance you can see will remain clear, on your own side of the road, if you need to?

Read the signs
There are often things you can look out for to give you information on the approaching corner. These signals include:

• Chevrons: these are a clear indication of a sharp bend.
• Road markings like ‘slow’, or hazard lines: they’re there for a reason!
• Tree lines, and hedgerows: may give some indication of which way the road bends.
• Vanishing points: these are a very good way to assess the severity of a bend. Ask an advanced instructor for an explanation.

In future blogs we’ll look at how best to maintain your bike, advanced riding skills and the key hazards you face as a ride – along with how to deal with them. In the meantime, get out there and enjoy the sunshine – but keep it safe!
Richard Dredge