Think Bike alerts to be installed on crash routes

Date: 15-03-2010

Motorcyclists are 16 times more likely to be injured in serious or fatal crashes than car drivers.
A thought-provoking road safety campaign that aims to reduce the number of motorcycle-related crashes on Buckinghamshire’s roads has been launched for spring and summer at sites across the county.

Twenty THINK! Bike signs are being installed on routes where bikers have been known to crash. The road safety team at Transport for Buckinghamshire says the campaign encourages car drivers to take notice of motorcyclists on the road and hopes motorcyclists will take steps to manage and reduce their own personal risk.

Injuries to motorcyclists are far out of proportion to their presence on the roads. Nationally bikers represent only one per cent of traffic, but make up 18 per cent of those killed or seriously injured on the roads. In 2009 three bikers were killed and 52 were seriously injured on Buckinghamshire’s roads.

The road safety team's initiative also promotes the current national 'Think' motorcycle campaign aimed at drivers and motorcyclists.

Valerie Letheren, Buckinghamshire County Council Cabinet Member for Transportation, said: 'The warmer weather is ideal for motorcyclists who will be out enjoying their pastime on the roads of Buckinghamshire. This initiative aims to highlight to other roads users the importance of looking out for motorcyclists as they do larger road vehicles. We urge all road users to be aware of road safety at all times to avoid further tragedies.'