Motorcycling and Road Safety
The Government has stated it is committed to supporting motorcycling as an important part of today’s transport mix, working together with the motorcycling community to address the needs of motorcyclists.
For many years the popularity of motorcycling has fluctuated, influenced by changes in the cost of motoring by car, the range and ease of use of the motorcycles and scooters, and changes in lifestyles – such as where we choose to live and work.
Recently there has been a significant increase in motorcycling, with people in towns and cities realising the benefits of motorcycles in beating congestion, and elsewhere an increase in biking as a leisure activity with people riding for the sheer fun of it. However, motorcycling is not without danger and accidents on rural roads are on the rise, tending to result in death or serious injury.
As Roads Authority for the Scottish Borders, the Council recognises this and will take the needs of motorcyclists, as road users into account when planning, designing and maintaining roads. Our Local Transport Strategy lays out our policies for this. We also work closely with Lothian and Borders Police in educating road users in an attempt to reduce accidents in line with national targets. Lothian and Borders Police have
also developed a website called http://www.aroundthecorner.org.uk, designed to provide bikers with a range of information and advice relating to biking in the Scottish Borders and staying
safe.
It is designed to provide bikers with a range of information and advice relating to biking in the Scottish Borders and staying
safe.
The main thrust of tackling motorcycle safety lies in training. Compulsory Basic Training and the DSA driving test can be regarded as doing no more than laying the foundations to a safe motorcyclist. Advanced training offered by organisations such as RoSPA and the Institute of Advanced Motorists and both these organisations are recommended by the Council and the police to all motorcyclists.
Summarising the points contained above and in the links:
• Motorcycles are an affordable alternative to the car
• Motorcycles can also provide quicker travel in town and city congestion
• Motorcycles also compare favourably to other sorts of vehicles, environmentally
• Motorcyclists have the right to expect to be taken account of motorcycling in the planning process
• Motorcyclists must ride sensibly and safely within the law, be considerate to other road users, and to others more generally
• Casualty numbers are rising but the casualty rate is not rising
• On built-up roads, there are more ‘slight’ accidents. There are likely to be non rider accidents.
• On non built-up roads there are more ‘fatal’ and ‘serious’ accidents
Unified Solutions.