Plymouth bikers demand council's help to cut death toll
BIKERS in Plymouth say they are making good progress in setting up a road safety forum – but claim their main obstacle is still Plymouth City Council.
Pete Bourner, the Plymouth representative of The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), claims he has contacted the authority twice to set up a meeting, but says he has been "brushed off" on both occasions.
City MAG members are keen to help launch a major road safety drive to cut the worrying number of biker deaths and casualties in and around Plymouth.
Mr Bourner, aged 47, says he and fellow MAG members have received almost widespread support since announcing their intention to set up a form last week.
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But he said they continue to feel "let down" by the city council.
It comes despite Plymouth City Council stating it is "reviewing" its road safety work amid what it has called a "worrying rise" in casualties.
"We have three rider training schools interested, plus representatives of Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue, and the NHS but we are waiting on Plymouth City Council," Mr Bourner said.
"We just want to work together but we seem to be coming up against a brick wall.
"It's disappointing, we are upset and a little bit angry.
"We've tried twice to set up a meeting with the city council and we have been brushed off both times.
"We just seem to get a condescending email back each time.
"We just want to sit down and work out how to stop these deaths and injuries on our roads."
Police figures show Plymouth is a biker death hotspot, compared to other cities of its size.
Since July last year there have been six biker deaths on roads in and around Plymouth.
MAG's Plymouth members have compiled a report comparing death and injury tolls in 10 cities where the population is around 250,000.
Using police figures, it names Plymouth as third-worst for fatalities and serious injury collisions.
The city comes out as top for non-serious injury collisions, which include those leading to broken bones.
Mr Bourner said he has attended seven biker funerals in Devon in the last six months and now is the time to change the statistics.
"Plymouth has disgusting statistics for injuries and deaths of riders," he added.
"We are one of the worst places in the country for these statistics and that needs to change.
"It's not about slagging off road users. It's about getting the message across to all road users that we all need to take responsibility for our actions."
A spokeswoman for Plymouth City Council told The Herald last week: "We are aware of the worrying rise in the number of motorcycle casualties on our roads and are, with partners, reviewing the motorcycle road safety work we deliver."
The spokeswoman also refuted claims it does not want to work with the group adding: "It is not true to say we are not interested."
Council leader Vivien Pengelly also said the authority wants to help.
"We are all concerned about the number of motorbike accidents recently," Cllr Pengelly said.
"This idea of us all sitting down is a good way to help improve things and come up with some recommendations.
"I will make sure that a meeting takes place."
Comments
by Rona60
Thursday, August 16 2012, 3:54PM
“Just reading your comment boris, I drive a car and have drove a car for a living so am use to the roads but i also have 2 sons who have bikes and would like to know that everything was being done to cut the rates of accident ie: whether its in cars or bike (push bikes or motor bikes) so i think the group is doing a fantastic job and hope they get what they want to improve the roads for everyone before the is another casualty.”
by evetsdroflim
Friday, June 01 2012, 2:47PM
“"Of course the police need to reduce the speed of bikers....... and cars and lorries and buses but I haven't seen the headline that says Police have a campaign against ALL speeding vehicles it always seems to be the bikers. This helps to reinforce the view of many car drivers that all bikers are loonies and often deserve what they get. Thanks Police, thank you the media !
This morning a large white van in front of my bike cut across me into my lane on a dual carriage way, when I took evasive action by pulling into the left lane he again pulled over into the other lane in front of me. When i overtook him he was driving with his knees whilst opening a bottle of drink when I shook me head in bewilderment he used his horn and some very bad language to berate me!! Come on police come on the media get a grip and spend some time and money to educate ignorant and aggressive drivers about awareness of bikers, cyclists and other vulnerable road users."”
by GAWker
Thursday, April 05 2012, 5:39PM
“A frequently uttered phrase on the BBC Radio 4 Statistics show More or Less is 'Correlation is not causation'.
Having lived in Gloucestershire, I wouldn't call South Gloucestershire a city. As I pointed out previously you need to compare places with the same level of motorcycle ownership, not just a similar population. I'm not conviced by the statistics.
I have to agree with what PC Tanner said there:
http://tinyurl.com/c4j8zaj
The accidents have causes. Are those causes specific to Plymouth?
As I posted on the other thread with the photos of the late motorcyclists, 5 of the 6 died in accidents at junctions. Junctions are dangerous and possibly figure the most in accidents.
Road accidents invariably have multiple contributory factors, not one.
The motorcyclists case isn't helped by the news that a motorcyclist with a section 59 was caught almost doubling a 30MPH limit in Plymstock at the weekend. They were rushing home for a BBQ, wanted to get to the beach before the tide came in?
The motorcyclists need to consider making Plymouth a hot spot for motorcyclists that have passed the IAM and RoSPA advanced motorcycling tests if they're serious about their safety and chances of staying alive. There you go, there's a challenge get Plymouth on the front cover of RoSPA's Care on the Road for the greatest proportion per head of advanced motorcyclists in the UK! How about doing that as a tribute for your fallen two wheeled friends?
Just a small aside, I walked in and out of town on November 11th to show my respects and thanks to those that have served in the military, those that have returned from Afghanistan having seen some horrendous things and some without all of their limbs. I didn't need to see them followed around Derry's Cross and down Union Street by a group of shiny, noisy motorcycles.
Yes you may support them, but it wasn't your day. I didn't think it then and I didn't think it when I walked home past the motorcycles by Capn Jaspers on the Barbican. You should have parked your bikes up somewhere and stood on the pavement like everyone else. It was already raining on their parade without the motorcycles coming up the rear. It wasn't about you.”
by Scoobster99
Tuesday, April 03 2012, 9:55PM
“Having returned to motorcycling after a break of 20 years I would like to add several comments:
The slogan says "Think Bike", i think that should be renamed to "Biker think". The freedom on a motorcycle is unbelievable however it does come with its dangers. Lets not blame each other but bring back a bit of consideration to others on the roads. I drive a car, a long wheel based van and am aware of most road dangers however no one is perfect.
I would also highly recommend the Police Bikesafe experience to all motorcyclists, a very good day out, how often to you get the chance of a police motorcyclist following you, at speed I hasten to add, without fear of getting booked. If you don't believe me try it.”
by DaleAnderson
Tuesday, April 03 2012, 6:55AM
“Once again this is for everyone. MAG is not and has not said at any point in time that it is all car drivers fault. We want ALL road users to accept that it is not just one group of road user and it is all road users on the road including people on pushbikes. so if you use the road we want to make it safer for you. and to boris, the police, fire and rescue, nhs, devon advanced motorbikers, RoSPA, MAG and rider training schools are all involved in this campaign as they all want safer roads. this is not just 2 people that have made up a name just to get in the papers. plymouth has more ksi's (killed or serious injury) then the whole of devon. be it car or bike. so if you want safer roads boris for all road users then instead of trying to make a problem why not help solve the problem?”
by kersweaz
Tuesday, April 03 2012, 1:38AM
“lets hope the council is changed in may, as i am sure the labour party will help in this.”
by cassiebiker
Tuesday, April 03 2012, 12:04AM
“The first of this summer's Plymouth Bike Nights to support our brothers and sisters in the Armed Forces wounded in action start this Thursday at 6pm on Plymouth Hoe and top band JOKER are playing live.
MAG have a stand on the Hoe where people may discuss ways of reducing biker deaths and serious injuries caused by whatever means on Plymouth's roads.
Why not ride your bikes onto the promenade or park your cars on the road nearby...parking is free after 6pm and drop a £1 in the collecting buckets of Help for Heroes and Afghan Heroes.
And when the cars and bikes leave the Hoe, try not to bump into each other!”
by LipsonLinda
Monday, April 02 2012, 10:47PM
“Peter20113, the blind spot is an area not covered by your mirrors. You check it by physically turning your head and looking backwards. If you don't know that then you shouldn't be on the road. you certainly wouldn't pass a test nowadays.
Check out this Canadian Govt website for a further explanation:
http://tinyurl.com/bwqweda
Or look elsewhere on the internet. In fact I'd advise you to take some more driving lessons, if you are seriously driving on the UK's roads without fully understanding how to drive properly. This is serious.”
by renegade2009
Monday, April 02 2012, 10:38PM
“i was going thro railway station roundabout today late aftenoon and came across nother biker lying on middle of road ambulance police etc there getting him ready to go to hospital
so another biker hurt in a accidnt , i dont know whos to blame ,
if i see a bike behind me i always let them in front of me when its safe to do so ,,, i would rather see them in front of me than have em behind me ,,,,,
we all have blind spots on cars they way to let bikers go in front stops them from hitting the blind spot and getting hurt or killed
i think bikers and driver are both needing educating more not just the drivers
bikers must take 50% of the blame not all down to the car drivers
when bikers realize this maybe we could all get some where ,,
also if bikers dont weave in and out of cars , over take on double lines ,, do wheellie past a car ,, maybe we can see them more comming up to us
a biker i know went up on his back wheel going all way down union street past me thinkin he was good over taking me this way ,,, but short lived as a copper followed him down and nicked him”
by Boris20111
Monday, April 02 2012, 10:33PM
“Dale, I'll meet you halfway here. ALL road users are essentially selfish and potentially dangerous with their actions. It just so happens though that bikers come off worse when they suffer an essential skills loss at a crucial moment.
Just how do you expect the council to cut the death toll btw? You have not explained that yet. All you have done so far is carry out an extention of the "blame culture" that permeates out society.
What should the council do? Why is it their fault?
Answer the questions and I'll see reason if there is some to be seen.
nb. With people like A.Plympton broadcasting your case - I'd get a better PR team ;)”