Motorcyclists are one of the most vulnerable groups of road users with Department for Transport figures showing:

• they are 45 times more likely to be killed on the road than car drivers
• motorcyclists represent less than one per cent of all road traffic but suffer 18 per cent of deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

Every road user - regardless of whether you drive a car, lorry or bike - should take responsibility for keeping each other safe.

Watch your speed. It isn't just about breaking the speed limit. Excess speed is when you are travelling too fast for a manoeuvre.

What motorcyclists can do:

Attitude

Your attitude is a major safety factor every time you go for a ride. With the right attitude and putting safety first you can make a real difference in the way you view and deal with hazards.

Aggressive behaviour and ignoring the rules of the road increases the risk to you and others. Never think 'it won't happen to me' - all too often it does.

• drive within your limits and don’t overestimate your ability
• never try to show-off to impress others
• keep to the speed limits and the Highway Code
• think of your own safety and respect the safety of others.

Get Yourself Seen

Bikes can sometimes be difficult to see due to their smaller profile. Consider taking measures to enable other road users to see you:

• consider driving with dipped headlights at all times
• wear high-visibility clothing, especially at night or other times of reduced visibility such as heavy rain or fog
• the Highway Code recommends wearing a white helmet
• if you see a vehicle about to pull out as you approach a junction, consider moving position on the road to maximise your reaction time. The movement may also attract the other driver’s attention.

Know your limits

Do you ever feel under pressure to ride beyond your own safety limits? Whether it’s thrill seeking or peer group pressure, it is often tempting to drive beyond your level of control.

If you usually speed because you are late, then plan your journey well in advance and leave a good margin of time.

Many riders filter between lines of slower moving traffic. It is easy to become complacent about this manoeuvre and forget the risks it involves. Leave a few minutes earlier so you can take more time when filtering.

Take a few moments to consider your responsibilities - family and friends - and what would happen if it all went wrong. Balance your priorities and always put safety first, it will not spoil your fun, but it might save your life.

Create space

A good rider can place the machine in the safest position on the road, relative to everything going on around them. The greater the speed, the more difficult it is to keep the bike in the safest position. Make sure you can see as well as be seen. Think about where to place the bike on the road so you can maintain your safety and allow others to see you at the earliest opportunity.

Some riders get too close to the vehicle ahead meaning the driver in front can’t see them. Drop back and give the driver ahead the opportunity to find you in their mirrors.

Being further back also increases your safety margins. If you are too close, you react to brake lights in front rather than to what you see further ahead. By building space around you, you not only improve your safety but your ability to plan and make smoother progress.

Creating space may require a little thought and knowledge, but it can make a real difference to your safety and overall enjoyment.

Overtaking

Overtaking is one of the most hazardous manoeuvres for a rider, but often it is not planned as well as it could be. To do it safely, consider the following points which should make the planning easier.

• overtake at the safest and earliest opportunity. Anticipate where an opportunity is likely to present itself and ensure you are in the right position with the correct speed and gear selected
• move so you are close enough to overtake at the earliest moment, but not too close to the vehicle in front. Engage the correct gear to allow maximum acceleration if needed. When you accelerate, deliver power smoothly to help maintain motorbike stability when completing the manoeuvre
• avoid aggressive use of the throttle or brakes when returning to your own lane - aim to drive smoothly and safely. If you have problems with this skill, find a trainer to explain and demonstrate the techniques required.

Other points

Speed and performance - most modern motorbikes have outstanding performance; even some smaller bikes have excellent acceleration. Don't underestimate how powerful your bike is.

Speed and performance of the vehicle you plan to overtake - consider its performance against that of your motorcycle. Bear in mind many family saloons have surprisingly good acceleration, even if not as good as most motorcycles.

The distance available to overtake and regain the near side safely. If it looks a little short, don’t risk it. A safer opportunity will soon present itself.

Speed and performance of oncoming traffic - think about the performance of most modern cars. The speed of oncoming traffic can be difficult to assess accurately, so if in doubt, wait for the next opportunity.

Oncoming vehicles you can't see - always assume there’s one just out of view. Consider if the available road is sufficient to do the manoeuvre safely.

Road surface

Motorcyclists are perhaps more aware of changes in road surface than any other road users. Finding the safest riding line and one that gives maximum road holding and braking capabilities is vitally important to safety.

Issues that make a difference to this are:

Construction

Roads with a good clean driving surface have a high skid resistance though this can change with the weather and other factors. The top surface of roads is normally bitumen based with chippings rolled in. This provides the sliding resistance between the road and the tyre and is tested to determine the level of skid resistance.

The surface of the chippings is the main contributor to skid resistance and the dominant factor in determining skid resistance in wet conditions.

Skidding and skid resistance

A skid occurs when one or more tyres lose normal grip on the road. The skidding resistance on a wet road is reduced by the film of water acting as a lubricant on the surface.

The more wear the road has had, the worse the drainage and the more likely motorcyclists - and drivers - are to experience a skid.

Where there is a high level of acceleration, braking and cornering, the greater the wear is on the road at that point and the risk of skidding increases.

New road surfaces

Until a new road has bedded down properly, the chippings which improve the cyclists grip on the road can still be covered. Always ride with extra caution in these circumstances.

Seasonal variations

There are many factors, including the weather, traffic flow and spillages (such as mud or oil) which can make travel more hazardous.

Winter roads (between October and March) stay wetter for longer, which can increase the skidding risk. Summer roads are a lot drier and very dusty, which can ‘polish’ the road making it more slippery.

Roads are especially treacherous when they are newly wet after a dry spell as the water and oil on the roads significantly reduces grip.

In wet conditions, especially when cornering, consider sacrificing position to avoid hazards such as grid covers, painted road markings, diesel and oil spills which can be very slippery. If you get into the habit of doing this in the dry, it will make life easier when the roads are wet.

Summer biking

Summer sees a massive increase in people taking to the roads on the motorcycles. Many of them will be occasional bikers who are less experienced than those who ride every day.

Some are the 'born again bikers' - those who are a bit older and able to afford bikes considerably more powerful than those they rode ten or 20 years before. As with anyone riding a bike, it is vital to have instruction and ensure full competence before taking to the roads.

Many underestimate the danger of summer biking. There is an increased temptation to drink and ride, the roads are less skid resistant and it is tempting to wear less clothes.

Always wear full protective clothing when on a motorbike, however tempting it may be to wear less in the hot months. Bare skin in contact with a road service, even at low speeds, can be very badly torn and leave scarring for life.

Cornering

Next to overtaking this is the discipline that most riders get wrong. Often, the rider travels too fast into the curve then finds it difficult to slow down once committed to taking the bend.

If you carry too much speed into the curve you can be faced with very serious problems. Most riders will try to sit the bike up and brake and in doing so, lose control. If you do manage to steer the machine, excess speed means you cannot lean the bike sufficiently to complete the curve, and you may well find yourself rapidly leaving the road.

Also avoid running over grid covers, rough road repairs, debris and over banding whilst the bike is banked over. Anything that unsettles a bike in a bend is bad news. Safety is the most important thing, and speed and positioning should always be sacrificed to stay safe. Also be aware of the position of oncoming vehicles - especially those drivers who cut corners and end up on your side of the road.