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Safer for Bikers
Powered Two-Wheelers (Motorcycles and Mopeds) are over-represented in the collision and injury statistics, nearly a quarter of all individuals killed or seriously injured are riding a motorcycle, but the number of bikers is 5% of all vehicles on the road.
While car drivers have their part to play in ensuring that bikers are as free to enjoy the roads as anyone else, bikers also have a responsibility towards themselves and all other road users. From being aware of where a car's blind spots are to obeying the speed limits, bikers can enjoy the roads and stay safe at the same time.


New Riders
Before taking to the road on two wheels all provisional licence holders must first undertake Compulsory Basic Training.All learners who wish to ride a moped, scooter or motorcycle must complete this training (CBT). The course gives an introduction to motorcycling and includes an eyesight check, guidance on the best equipment and clothing, practical training, off road instruction and riding followed by training and riding on the road with an approved instructor.Passing the test gives you a Certificate of Completion that allows you to use your licence on the road and prepares you for the theory and practical tests for a full licence. Standard motorcycle licence (1)After passing the standard practical test you will be allowed to ride without any restriction of any horsepower. Success in this test means you can immediately ride any size of bike.

Experienced Riders
Being the innocent party isn't much comfort when you are dead or injured. Assume you can't be seen. Take a position to protect yourself from danger and have an 'escape route' in mind should something go wrong. Ride within your capabilities and don't be led or goaded into going faster.A large number from the majority of single vehicle bike crashes occur when a bend is entered too fast and on the wrong line. The rider often panics and grabs a hand/foot-full of brakes. The bike consequently flicks upright and into the path of oncoming traffic or strikes an object more solid than the rider.Assess the bend using trees and hedges, white lines or angle of vehicles appearing from the bend. If you are going too fast, don't panic...lift your head and look out of the bend to where you want to be. The bike is nearly always more capable than you think...trust it.On a bike, your frontal area is much less than a car and you are harder to see, even when people look properly, so make sure that you are as visible as you can be. Some tips include:
Make yourself more visible Use your headlights Reflective clothing and bright coloured helmets will help Lots of different colours, badges and patterns may look cool but break up your outline like camouflage. Large blocks of one (preferably reflective) colour will make you easier to see.
The average list price for a sports bike is around £7000. Add to this the cost of insurance, good riding kit and a helmet, and that's a big investment in having fun. You are a pretty valuable item yourself.
The average cost of a one-day skills sharpening course is £100. That's a small price to pay for getting the most out of biking and using your skill to keep safe. The Sussex Safer Roads Partnership runs the BikeSafe course, designed to improve riders' skills, especially if they've taken a break from riding (over the winter, for example). In order to book, you'll need to visit the national BikeSafe website, which will give you details of courses dates, times and locations.

Weekend and Seasonal Riders
Many people only use their motorcycles on the weekend, or in fine weather, as opposed to commuting every day. While this may be the most enjoyable way to ride, some riders do experience some skill loss while they have their machine parked up.This is bourne out by the accident statistics across Sussex, where Saturdays and Sundays see the highest number of bikers being killed or seriously injured on the roads. The Partnership recommends that bikers who aren't on the roads for extended periods of time consider taking a refresher course (such as BikeSafe) every so often to help them keep their skill levels high no matter when they ride.