It’s been all quiet on the blog for a while, but we’ve been busy behind the scenes working on new safety initatives for motorcyclists for 2010.
We’re pleased to have produced our second edition of Bedfordshire Biker magazine which was mailed to all subscribers and distributed to local motorcycle dealers in March and April. If you haven’t seen a copy, contact us and we’ll add you to our subscriber list. Subscribe online at www.bedfordshire-biker.org or phone Nicola or Caryl 01234 716333 or email your address to subscriptions@bedfordshire-biker.org.
We also have a season of RideSafe assessments planned – your chance to have your riding assessed by a Bedfordshire Police Advanced Motorcyclist. It’s free and you’ll receive expert advice on what you do well and where you could improve or benefit from further training. For dates and details, follow this link.
1st Ride for pre-CBT novice riders, launched lat year, is also running throughout the summer. For details of 1st Ride, follow this link.
We’re also pleased to be distributors of the CRASH card, developed by the Ambulance Motorcycle Club and supported by the East of England Ambulance Service. The concept is simple – motorcyclists are asked to carry a CRASH card inside their helmet which includes your name, post code, date of birth and any important medical information that paramedics and hospital staff can refer to in case you are involved in an ‘unscheduled dismount’. A small green dot to fix to your helmet will let paramedics know that you have a CRASH card inside your helmet. For your CRASH card, email info@motorcyclingmatters.org or call 01234 716333. For more information, visit http://www.ambulancemotorcycleclub.150m.com/crash-card.htm
The Driving Standards Agency has launched a new training DVD for post-test riders and motorcycle trainers.
‘Better Biking – the Official DSA Training Aid DVD’ provides expert advice on improving bikers’ skills and aids post-test rider training to DSA standard.
The DVD features sgt. Rick Weaver, chief trainer in advanced riding for Cheshire Constabulary, who demonstrates an ideal solo ride in each skill category to show the standard of riding to aspire to.
In addition to rider analysis, the DVD provides authoritative advice on bikes, clothing, machine checks and security with Louise Brady, presenter of Bikes Aloud and Isle of Man TT.
Better Biking: the Official DSA Training Aid (ISBN 97801129559) is priced at £10.99.
Visit www.tsoshop.co.uk, or call 0870 243 0123 to purchase.
Chris Chandler, Road Risk Adviser with Bedfordshire County Council Road Safety Team would like your feedback.
Thanks!
Free advice on safer filtering and group riding is now available for motorcyclists in the form of a leaflet from GEM Motoring Assist. The pocket-size leaflet details some of the hazards associated with filtering (the action practised by many motorcycle riders of passing other vehicles caught in slow moving or stationary traffic) and group riding, with the aim of keeping riders safe on commuter and leisure journeys.
Comments David Williams, Chief Executive of GEM Motoring Assist: “For most motorcyclists the freedom of the open road is the primary attraction of riding. “Unfortunately, though, far too many motorcyclists are dying or being seriously injured because somebody or something along the way took them by surprise. Motorcycle fatalities still stand at around 22 per cent above the 1994-98 figure set as a baseline by the Government.
“GEM wants to help riders reduce the risks they face – and the risks they pose to others – by helping them to know the law, to accept their own limitations and to be even more aware in plenty of time of the array of hazards that can affect them.”
The leaflet was written by Martin Cooke, a former police motorcyclist and now Chairman of the Trustees of the GEM Road Safety Charity. He believes the content of the leaflet offers a worthwhile alternative to the usual line-up of control skills and attitude change literature. “There’s no element of preaching in the leaflet,” he says. “Read it and you might avoid the sort of injudicious act that would not only incur a traffic cop’s disapproval but put you or someone else in unnecessary danger.
“More and more motorcyclists filter routinely to save sitting in queues, but everyone has his or her preferred speed and there are too many drivers and pedestrians who may simply not be expecting a rider to be anywhere near them when they change lanes suddenly. We believe the leaflet will assist riders in balancing the relative risks and benefits of filtering.
“Group riding on a sunny day is one of life’s true pleasures for most motorcyclists, but all the usual hazards of the open road apply when you’re in a group, with the potential added danger of other riders in close proximity. We hope this leaflet will help riders of all skill levels to stay as safe as possible in a group riding environment.”
RoSPA is encouraging employers to promote safer motorcycling through its new ‘Safer Motorcycling Through Work’ guide.
Kevin Clinton, RoSPA head of road safety, said: “With only limited protection offered by ‘secondary safety’ features such as helmets, gloves and riding gear, motorcyclists have to rely almost entirely on ‘primary safety’ – using their skills and experience to safeguard themselves.
“People are often extremely busy with commitments away from work, so we hope employers will enable staff to develop these skills via the workplace.
“Providing opportunities for staff who ride privately, as well as those who ride for work, can bring very real business benefits. The effects of an accident are costly – helping staff stay safe makes good business sense.”
Safer Motorcycling Through Work outlines the ethical, legal, business and practical reasons for employers to consider promoting safer motorcycling. It is particularly useful for employees who want to act as a ‘safer motorcycling champion’ within an organisation and includes advice on fully involving staff in the development of initiatives.
For a free copy contact David Penman on 0121 248 2037, or dpenman@rospa.com – or downloaded one at: www.rospa.com