What are the most common reasons for motorbike crashes, and how can I avoid being in a crash?
Urban Versus Rural Roads
In 2022, there were 11,868 motorcyclist casualties on urban roads, and of these, there were 103 fatalities. On rural roads, there were 5,074 casualties and 247 of these were fatalities. The fact that there were significantly fewer casualties on rural roads but 144 more fatalities shows that, although there are fewer injuries overall on rural roads, injuries that do occur are much more likely to be fatal.
Failure to Negotiate Bends
To safely negotiate bends, you should always use clues given to you by the road ahead, so you know what to reasonably expect. Look out for any curvature of the white lines in the road, the path of telegraph poles, and any lines of trees or hedges at the side of the road. Always observe any road signs and ensure you decrease your speed enough to safely navigate the bend.Never travel so fast that you cannot stop safely on your side of the road in the distance you can see to be clear.
Collisions at Junctions and Other Vehicles Pulling Out into the Path of Motorcyclists
Sometimes, even though the rider is in plain view and properly positioned, drivers do not see riders, or they fail to judge the speed at which the rider is approaching a junction, meaning they pull out in front of the rider. Drivers can have difficulty spotting a small, fast-moving object approaching, in judging its speed correctly and in estimating its time of arrival, and this happens especially often at T-junctions.
Although motorists must give way to traffic on the main road when emerging from a junction with broken white lines across the road, it is still crucial to ride defensively. As you are approaching a junction, try to make eye contact with the driver and anticipate what they are going to do, for example by checking if their vehicle’s wheels are starting to turn. Always reduce your speed and be prepared to take action, just in case the motorist pulls out in front of you.
Collisions while overtaking
Overtaking is one of the most high-risk manoeuvres, meaning riders should only overtake when it is safe and necessary. You should never overtake when approaching:
Bends
Junctions and entrances
Lay-bys
Pedestrian crossings
Hills or dips in the road
Double white lines or other signs prohibiting overtaking.
Safe and successful overtaking requires good judgement of distance and speed, a good level of visibility, and knowledge of your bike’s acceleration. Always be aware of everything going on around you before beginning to overtake, and look at places where a vehicle may be hidden from your view, such as over the brow of a hill, in a dip, around a bend or approaching from a junction or out of an entrance.
Loss of Control
You should always try to position yourself so that you can negotiate and pass hazards safely and smoothly. Keep scanning the road ahead of you to see when you may need to change your road position, such as roadworks, cars parked on the side of the road or cars pulling out of junctions.
It is crucial to adapt your riding to the changing conditions around you, as collisions can occur as a result of failure to account for road surface conditions or poor speed choices. Factors such as fuel spills, mud, ice, leaves and surface water can all cause you to lose control of your bike. Always look out for changing conditions and road signs that may indicate hazards ahead, allowing yourself sufficient time and space to react safely.
Shunts
Shunts usually occur as a result of riding too close to the vehicle in front, or the vehicle behind you being too close, and can be avoided by leaving plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front, and if a vehicle is travelling too close behind you, giving yourself more room in front.