Motorcyclists

Motorcycles make up only 1% of our county’s traffic but riders and pillion passengers accounted for 22% of those killed and seriously injured in crashes between 2007 – 2010.

Protection in the event of a crash is limited as the rider is often thrown from the vehicle. Somerset Road Safety promotes safe, responsible riding and supports a number of initiatives aimed at reducing a rider’s exposure to risk and lessening their likelihood of being involved in a crash.

Pre-Rider Education

Road safety officers work with schools and colleges to provide a variety of educational programmes designed to equip new riders for the road.

Due to the lower speeds of small capacity bikes young riders tend to survive crashes more readily but injuries could be reduced by wearing suitable protective motorcycle clothing and early intervention.

BikeSafe Days

BikeSafe is a rider initiative offering assessed rides with police motorcyclists. The day involves a mix of riding theory with riding assessments conducted by advanced police motorcyclists.

Details of the upcoming Bikesafe Days are listed in our Events Calendar and places can be booked through the National Bikesafe Website.

Somerset Bikesafe Dates for 2012:

1st April - Taunton

19th August - Yeovil

16th September - Wells

The Regional Bikesafe event will be taking place at Castle Combe Circuit on Saturday 2nd June. By booking a place you can expect a short taster of what Bikesafe has to offer, with the added incentive of a few laps around the circuit. As with the Bikesafe days you can book this through the National Bikesafe Website.

Compulsory Basic Training

Before riding on public roads, every rider needs to complete a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course. Details of providers of CBT courses can be found through internet search engines. The CBT normally takes a day but some riders will need a little longer. It is often worthwhile paying for an extra half day with an instructor to help increase your confidence and ability on the road after the CBT.

Motorcycle Test

The Direct Access Scheme is one of several routes to obtaining a full motorcycle licence. You can find details of local motorcycle instructors in the Yellow Pages or through internet search engines.

Visit the Driving Standards Agency for further information on how to obtain your motorcycle licence: www.dft.gov.uk/dsa

Rider Performance Courses

The Rider Performance course was established by Somerset Road Safety and offers collision avoidance skills training at Castle Combe racetrack.

These innovative courses can be booked directly with the circuit at Castle Combe: Rider Performance

Dates for 2012: 30th May, 5th September

Ride to Arrive

Ride to Arrive courses provide a residential weekend of riding interaction with police motorcyclists along with an introduction to advanced riding techniques. The course provides an intensive and thoroughly enjoyable insight into police riding methods.

Details of upcoming Ride to Arrive courses can be found in our Events Calendar and places can be booked through the National Bikesafe Website.

Dates for 2012: 20th - 22nd April, 7th - 9th September

Advanced Riding

Advanced riding groups have a significant part to play in encouraging riders to improve their safety. Volunteers help encourage other riders to adopt a systematic approach and defensive riding techniques, to improve their overall riding skills and safety. Many groups have a burgeoning social scene that complements their training ethos.

There are two principal national groups that promote advanced riding, both of which are represented locally:

ICARE

Immediate Care at the Roadside in an Emergency (ICARE) is a course delivered by the South West Ambulance Service NHS Trust. It provides riders with information on how to deal with a collision scene and life-saving skills for motorcyclists, including CPR and how to remove a helmet to provide access to the rider’s airway.

Details of the course can be found on the NHS Trust's website and details of forthcoming courses and bookings can be made through our office. Check the events page for details.

Think! Bike

Think Bike signs are placed in strategic locations around Somerset at particular times of the year. We use collision data to identify where and when SMIDSY (“Sorry mate, I didn’t see you”) style collisions are most likely to occur and position the signs accordingly.

Think Bike car and van stickers are available free of charge from Somerset Road Safety

Riding Tips

If you're already good, make yourself better. The best motorcyclists ride defensively so they are less likely to be involved in collisions.

Make sure you:

  • Anticipate the actions of other motorists
  • Are alert and observant (important when you are negotiating junctions or roundabouts)
  • Look out for other vulnerable road users - children, pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders
  • Ride at a speed that will enable you to slow down and stop in good time - the unexpected can happen
  • Ride according to the conditions: slow down if it's wet, foggy or icy
  • Position yourself in the best place - usually the middle of the lane but take up your road position in good time before turning right or left, clearly indicating to others what your intentions are
  • Overtake safely - can you see hazards? Is there a bend or a junction? Can you overtake without speeding up or swerving too much?
  • Take a lifesaver glance over your shoulder before carrying out manoeuvres when you need to know where other drivers are and what they are doing.
  • Be seen. Dipped headlights, even in good daylight, can help you to be seen.