Young motorcycle riders have been urged by a national charity to take the law seriously after helmet-less riders were spotted on one of Bradford’s busiest roads.
It comes after Department of Transportation data revealed 91 motorcyclists and passengers, aged 16 to 24, lost their lives or suffered injuries while riding in the city between 2018 and 2021.
There were 53 minor injuries and 35 serious injuries, and an astounding 93% of those involved crashes that resulted in fatalities.
The Telegraph & Argus saw several young people riding motorcycles down Rooley Lane in the direction of Bradford last month.
On the afternoon of March 24, there were three bikes and a total of five riders, all of whom were not wearing helmets.
An image shows a rider trying to squeeze past a couple of drivers who were patiently waiting in line.
Over a century has passed since the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) began its campaign to lessen serious accidents injuries.
Rebecca Guy, RoSPA Road Safety Manager for England, said: “As 1% of UK traffic and 19% of those killed or seriously injured on UK roads, motorcycle riders are one of the most vulnerable road user groups.
“The law requires that you wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle, so we urge everyone to abide by this requirement no matter where they are or who they are with.
“The RoSPA Novice Rider Hub, which provides a wealth of knowledge to keep you safe on your motorcycle, is a great resource for anyone who is unsure of what to wear while riding.”
West Yorkshire Police echoed those sentiments and believe death or serious injuries from crashes are “often avoidable”.
Paul Jeffrey, Head of the Prosecutions and Casualty Prevention Unit at WYP, said: “Road traffic collisions that result in death or serious injury are frequently preventable and are frequently linked to driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, using a cellphone while driving, and reckless or careless riding.
“In order to address these identified risk factors, West Yorkshire Police collaborate with local governments, highways, and other partners.
“Our approach to encouraging safe rider and driver behaviors and the development of a transportation network that is safe for all road users includes enforcement, driver/rider retraining as an alternative to prosecution, and education/engagement.
“Due to the disproportionate representation of young motorcyclists in casualty data, there is a constant need to provide evidence-based interventions aimed at averting tragedies in the future.
“In order to achieve our Vision Zero goal, West Yorkshire Police is still dedicated to cooperating with partners to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries caused by traffic.”
With 4,657 motorcycle riders aged 16 to 24 being hurt or killed on Britain’s roads in 2021, compared to 1,931 riders aged 40 to 49, 16 to 24 year old motorcyclists are twice as likely to be killed or injured than their 40 to 49 year old counterparts per capita.
According to Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) completion rates, the number of motorcycle riders is also increasing, and they are 22% higher than they were in 2019.
The National Fire Chiefs Council’s National Safety Motorcycle Week, which took place from April 3–9, and the launch of RoSPA’s Novice Rider Hub are related events.
David Walker, Head of Road Safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: “Having your own vehicle is thrilling and liberating when you’re a young adult who loves to travel. The risk of injury or death on the road is greatest for young people, however, with motorcycle riders between the ages of 16 and 24 having a twofold higher risk of dying or suffering serious injuries.
“Our Novice Rider Hub gives young riders all the information they need to know if they own a motorcycle and gives them the tools they need to ride securely and confidently.
“All parents of young adults who ride motorcycles are urged to look into it and to encourage their teen to do the same because education saves lives.”
Dan Quin, Road Safety Lead for NFCC, said: “Fantastic news! The Novice Riders Hub was officially launched during National Motorcycle Safety Week by the NFCC.
“This one-stop shop is a useful resource for assisting both our work and the work of the fire and rescue services. It will make it easier for us to interact with and give reliable guidance to the families and most-at-risk motorcycle riders.”
Reference: www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk
