Biker Safety
Motorcycle Safety Research
In deciding the content and objectives of the Road Safety Team’s work a number of sources are used. Two formal research programmes were undertaken to guide our work:
- Two scoping studies looking at motorcycle crash data in Devon. These looked at crashes that occurred between 1996-2001 and then again between 2004-2006.
The studies were based on the crash and casualty data that is supplied by Devon and Cornwall Constabulary - the same data that forms the basis of the crash reduction programmes routinely undertaken by Devon County Council as a highway authority. The report also looks at research into motorcycle crashes and casualties being undertaken in the UK and European Union and includes such specific areas as Young Riders, Helmets and Clothing and Behavioural Research. - A user-survey seeking the views, needs and aspirations of motorcycle riders across Devon.
Postal questionnaires (and a link to an on-line version of the same questionnaire) were sent out to users, dealers and rider groups throughout Devon in order to help us find out what lies behind the standard casualty data. Our intention was to find out who rides in Devon, where, why, how often, how many miles and journeys are made each year. We also wanted to know who had received what training and what their views were about the training and education of others - including car drivers - ad we sought frank opinions on the condition of our network and what actions riders thought we should be taking on their behalf.
Motorcycle research 1996-2001 
(1.01MB - pdf help)
Motorcycle research 2004-2006 (4.85MB - pdf help)
Devon Biker Survey Results
It is worth noting that there are four common crash scenarios involving motorcyclists that appear most frequently. These are:
- The rider failing to successfully negotiate a bends.
- Low speed collisions with another vehicle in urban areas, particularly while filtering
- Vehicles emerging from junctions into the path of a motorcyclist who has the right of way (SMIDSY)
- Poor overtaking
For information on how to avoid these crashes, please go here.
