Research

Databike
Databike is a 600cc Fazer motorbike fitted with equipment to collect road environment and rider data from the unique perspective of two wheels.  

Launched by TRL, the Databike carries a Provida 3000 camera and video system.   The system uses a fixed camera on the front of the bike and a second 'roving' camera that can be attached to the rear, or on to the rider's helmet.

Information is presented on one screen when the video is played back. Data collected can be used by councils to identify risk as part of road safety and accident prevention work. By riding a motorbike along a route with a history of motorcycle collisions it will be possible to gain insights into rider behaviour not afforded by data collected by either a car driver or cyclist.

For further information please visit www.surveyormagazine.com or www.trl.co.uk

The result of this collaboration is the MAG document 'How Close is Too Close?' that provides solutions for avoidance and evasion strategies for motorcyclists. The study makes recommendations that include better road awareness training for car drivers and motorcyclists to reduce the number of deaths to riders caused by cars.

The cold hard 'facts' for motorcyclists highlighted in the Department for Transport Road (DfT) Casualty Report 2005 is that collisions at junctions are a major problem for riders. In 2004, 175,150 car accidents occurred at junctions with 22% of these when the car was turning right.   In the same year, motorcycle accidents at junctions totalled 17,699. These represent 66% of all motorcycle accidents.

In January 2006, the DfT Think Campaign, supported by MAG, advising car drivers to take longer to look for bikes at these types of junctions was launched on television and radio.

However, the Driving Standard Agency (DSA) practical test for hazard awareness does not specifically require that drivers look for motorcycles at junctions, in spite of the significant proportion of accidents that have been recorded in these circumstances.

If the DSA fails to instruct trainers to teach new car drivers to look specifically for motorcyclists, then why should the government expect to lower the casualty rates for motorcyclists?

MAG UK argues that until this problem is recognised and addressed by government as a necessary part of driver and rider training, the resolution of the SMIDSY problem will lie with the motorcyclist. The MAG document 'How Close is Too Close?' outlines how this can be done.

For further information contact:
Trevor Baird
Director Of Public Affairs
Motorcycle Action Group
trevor.baird@mag1.demon.co.uk
www.mag-uk.org

Other research

Birmingham
Research has been undertaken by the Birmingham Road Safety Unit to establish what local riders want. A questionnaire was sent out to the dealers who then distributed it. The use of Bus Lanes and secure parking were the biggest concerns mentioned.

For further information, please contact Paul Ruffle by email at paul_ruffle@birmingham.gov.uk

For further information, please contact Rob Camp by email at r.j.camp@dorsetcc.gov.uk, or Dorset Police HQ by telephone on 01929 462727

For further information, please contact Heather Lynne Jones, Assistant Engineer Road Safety by email at HeatherLynneJones@gwynedd.gov.uk

Summer of 2004 saw 12 visits to various dealerships to engage with riders regarding their behaviour on the road.  

For further information, please contact Penny McCart, Principal Road Safety Officer by email at PmcCart@northamptonshire.gov.uk