'Life on a Bike’ campaign aims to prevent North East biker deaths and injuries
County Durham and Northumberland see the highest number of motorcyclist casualties between 2019 and 2023.
Motorists are being urged to take a second look for motorbikes after it was revealed that more than half of biker collisions on North East roads have resulted in riders being killed or seriously injured.
Local authority campaign group Road Safety GB North East (RSGB NE) has been joined by bikers and police and fire services from across the region in launching the ‘Life on a Bike’ campaign to demonstrate the increased risks to bikers and remind people to look out for each other.
A number of bikers have contributed to the emotive campaign in a bid to illustrate the huge impact road collisions have, not only on the people directly involved, but their wider families, friends and work colleagues.
The Life on a Bike campaign aims to show that bikers do much more than ride bikes, giving insight into their family, hobbies, and work lives.
Peter Slater, Chair of RSGB NE, said during the last five years (2019 – 2023), there had been 1,501 biker collisions on the region’s roads, with 57 motorcyclists killed, 755 seriously injured, and 689 slightly injured.
A large percentage were caused by a failure to look, by either the biker or drivers, or because the motorcyclist lost control of the bike.
“Nobody goes out with the intention of being involved in a road collision, but too often collisions occur that could so easily have been avoided,” said Peter.
“Bikers are vulnerable, so we see high fatality and injury rates, and nobody wants that on their conscience.
“We are appealing to drivers to take a second look for bikes – it could save a life. And we need bikers to slow down, to ride for the conditions and the roads, and to scan the road ahead for hazards. It sounds odd, but they need to prepare for what other road users may do.”
With the help of some of the region’s bikers, RSGB NE has produced campaign videos to highlight common risks and promote safety advice to help keep bikers safe.
Bikers Richard and Suzy Baylin, both 59, from Marton in Middlesbrough, were eager to get involved in the campaign. Richard, a keen baker, and Suzy, who is a proficient knitter, are featured in the social media videos.
Suzy, a substitute primary school teacher, said: “I love motorcycling, but safety is paramount. My top tip for both bikers and drivers is to look, wait and look again. You never know what could be coming around the corner.”
Biker Les Adam, 32 from Stockton, is a dad to two small children and works as a DJ in local clubs and pubs across the region.
He said: “I urge all drivers to keep an eye out for us on the roads. We might be smaller and less visible, but we are part of the traffic just like everyone else. My tip for all road users is to look twice and remember there’s a life on that bike. We have families and friends waiting for us to come home safely.”
Biker and stunt rider Jonny Davies, 32, from Peterlee, said: “The speed and power of cars and motorcycles has rapidly increased over the last decade, so people need to pay maximum care and attention and follow the rules of the road. My advice for anyone wanting to go fast would be to book a track day or top speed test day.”
And biker Mandy Burns, 53, from Sunderland, who has worked at Nissan for 36 years, said: “I’ve been riding for 32 years and the best advice I can give to any biker is to ride defensively and to get some advanced training to help you understand things like road position, reading the road and having a relaxed posture.”
Cleveland Police Roads Policing Inspector Steve Clyburn said: “We would always urge all road users to do all they can to keep other road users, including motorcyclists, safe – everyone has a part to play in making our roads safer.”
A County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) spokesperson said: "We all have a responsibility to look out for each other when using the roads.
“We would like to encourage drivers to take that moment to look and then look again before making their manoeuvre. Taking time to ensure the safety of others is time well spent."
Sergeant Steve Armstrong, of Northumbria Police’s Motorcycle Unit, said: “Everyone has a vital role to play in keeping all road users safe – especially those who may be more at risk of serious injury or harm such as motorbike riders. Please take extra care and remember to look twice and think bike.”
County Durham and Northumberland see the highest number of motorcyclist casualties between 2019 and 2023, but given their size and the rural nature of the roads, it is to be expected.
However, cities and towns across the region also see high numbers of bike casualties, demonstrating that biker collisions are common across both urban and rural areas.
For more information about Road Safety GB North East, road safety advice and campaigns, go to https://www.lookoutroadsafety.co.uk