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Scotland: Slow down

With summer well and truly established, the motorcycling season has begun in earnest. RoSPA Scotland is urging all motorcyclists to stay safe on Scottish roads this summer.

Scotland’s roads are well known for being a joy to ride, but motorcyclists are still overrepresented in road accident statistics. RoSPA Scotland is encouraging riders to take extra care and be aware of the most common types of motorcycle accidents and how to avoid them.

Whether you are visiting Perthshire beauty spots, the Grampian hills, or the wide sweeping bends of the Scottish Borders, make sure that you stay safe and ride within your abilities. It is all too tempting, on a sunny day, to push your limits that bit too far.

The five most common motorcycling accidents are:

Failure to negotiate a left-hand bend on rural roads
Failure to negotiate a right-hand bend on rural roads
Collisions at junctions
Collisions while overtaking
Loss of control.
Riding a motorcycle is a skill that requires continual development, practise and honing. If you haven’t been on the bike for a while ease yourself back in to riding gently and think about refresher training.

Motorcyclists are encouraged to undergo advanced training, and Scottish motorcyclists are able to join advanced riding groups through RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders. As well as providing training, advice and encouragement, these groups will be able to introduce you to new and spectacular routes for a ride-out.

Kathleen Braidwood, RoSPA’s road safety officer for Scotland, said: “It’s great that advanced motorcyclists are willing to give their time to help improve the skills of their fellow riders, and encourage motorcyclists to undertake advanced rider training to further their skills. Motorcyclists are over-represented in accident statistics, and reducing these accident figures is a key priority.”

Further training and advice is also available from Bikesafe, an initiative run by police forces around the UK. By passing on their skills, knowledge and experience, police motorcyclists can help you to improve your own skills, and further your enjoyment of riding. Visit www.bikesafe.co.uk for more information.

Visit www.roada.org.uk/groups/index.htm to find your nearest RoSPA advanced riding group.

More information on the most common motorcycling accidents and how to avoid them is available on RoSPA’s website: www.rospa.com/roadsafety/info/ridesafe.pdf.