Bikers' safety a “priority”
Government must overhaul roads to protect motorcyclists, says the Institute of Advanced Motorists
Crash barriers need to be redesigned to make them safer for motorcyclists, according to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).
An investigation by the European Road Assessment Programme, commissioned by the IAM, found that up to 16 per cent of motorcyclist road deaths are caused by hitting barriers.
Riders are 15 times more likely to be killed than car occupants in the event of a collision with a crash barrier – and the barriers can worsen injuries by a factor of five.
The IAM wants to see secondary rails installed to reduce the severity of injuries in the event of a crash and for the installation of systems like Bike Guard and Motor Tub – plastic tubes fitted to the metal barriers to offer additional protection to riders.
IAM chairman Alistair Cheyne OBE said: “Roads in general and crash barriers in particular are largely designed with four or more wheels in mind. The needs of more vulnerable motorcyclists must become a priority.
“Britain leads the world on road safety, but lags behind on this issue. Existing standards and guidelines for road infrastructure – and barriers in particular – must be changed so they take proper account of motorcyclists.”
