Focus on young riders

6 November 2009

Motorbikes are an affordable way of getting about for many teenagers – but too many of them are crashing. Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership is helping young riders to stay safe during the winter.

Group of young motorbike riders

Andy Adlington, the partnership's motorcycle officer, said: "Lots of teenagers love bikes - they're quicker than the bus and cheaper than a car.

"But you've got to be at the top of your game to enjoy the freedom a motorbike offers – and many young riders lack the experience they need to stay safe on today's busy roads."

Unlike other motorists, people who ride smaller bikes don't need a full licence in order to travel unaccompanied. Completing a compulsory basic training (CBT) session allows them to ride on public roads for two years as long as they display L-plates. After that time, motorcycle learners must renew their CBT certificate or take a bike test in order to obtain a full licence.            

Robert Hill, manager of the road safety partnership, said: "Younger riders are struggling to cope with some of the challenges they face - nearly a quarter of the motorcyclists killed or badly hurt in Derbyshire last year were aged between 16 and 19. That's why we've developed CBT Plus – a training course that's designed to be taken at around the same time as compulsory basic training."

CBT Plus is a three-hour course that shows new riders how to spot hazards and handle their bikes with greater confidence while overtaking, cornering and travelling across junctions.

Training of this type normally costs around £75 – but riders living in Derbyshire can enrol for just £15 thanks to a partnership discount. For more details Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058.

The partnership has produced a free guide for young riders, which is being distributed through colleges, sixth forms, motorcycle retailers, rider training schools and Derby University.

Staying alive – the manual for street bikers tells new riders how to survive the challenges they will face while motoring on two wheels.

Partnership motorcycle officer Andy Adlington, said: "We know it's frustrating for riders when drivers cut them up and say 'Sorry mate, I didn't see you!' -  that's why we're doing all we can to make drivers more bike aware.

"All we ask in return is that young riders follow the advice in our guide about how to make themselves more visible on the roads."

Andy added: "When I'm out on my bike, I never forget that I'm more vulnerable than other motorists. I've not got airbags, side impact bars, seatbelts or head restraints – all I've got to protect me is my riding skills and the clothes I stand up in."

Between 19 October and 15 November, the partnership will be running a series of local radio adverts warning motorists to look out for bikers. Voiced by Scottish actor John Hannah, the adverts are designed to make motorists reflect on the devastating consequences of failing to spot a motorcycle.

Throughout the winter, Andy Adlington and partnership colleagues will be visiting colleges and sixth forms to talk to student riders about staying safe on Derbyshire roads. They will be giving away orange tabards designed to help riders stay bright and be seen along with copies of the highway code and Staying alive - the manual for street bikers.

Partnership manager Robert Hill said: "Motorcycle safety is a massive issue for Derbyshire. Nationally riders make up just one per cent of total road traffic – but they accounted for almost a quarter of the people killed or badly hurt on Derbyshire roads last year.

Robert added: "Crashes involving young riders are a common problem, especially in winter, and hordes of leisure bikers run into trouble during the summer on our winding countryside routes.

"We're encouraging drivers and riders to help us tackle this problem."