Bikers: enjoy the open road with care

I put flowers on the corner he was killed every year: yellow ones. I know in my heart where he is and that one day I will see him again. His girlfriend also puts a bunch there.

My daughter, who is also with her brother in heaven, told me that when Britain was suffering the effects of the plague, it was quite common to have it start with a sneeze and people would say "bless you". And that was said to put God's blessing on you. And it was an urgent plea from the hearts of others that this was not the start of the plague in you.

Bless you all motorcyclists. Enjoy the open road slowly and with caution and respect to others on the road.

And bless you all car drivers: may our eyes never grow dim and our brains never forget that the open roads belong to others on Shanks pony and two or three wheels as well as four, six and eight wheels.

Audrey Greaves,

Hilbra Avenue,

Haxby, York.

...AS the mother of a biker, I know only too well the fears that all parents of bikers have. I have had "the dreaded telephone call". Fortunately my son was not seriously hurt, but he was unable to work for a very long time and I frequently get a mental picture of him flying through the air and landing on the road.

I know that you are endeavouring to make people aware of the dangers of unsafe bike-riding and I applaud your "Arrive Alive" campaign. However, I do feel that you have now made your point.

I am sure that I am not the only one who finds the pictures of pieces of bikes strewn across the road increasingly distressing; how those who have recently lost loved ones in this tragic way feel, I can only imagine.

Would it not be better to stress, through your excellent newspaper, the safety aspects of biking? The need to wear a good quality helmet, protective clothing and boots and to keep the bike and tyres well maintained.

Dorothy Best,

Steeple Close,

Wigginton, York.

...OVER the last six months I have been horrified to read about so many motorcyclists who have met premature deaths on the roads of North Yorkshire ('Too many tragedies', July 12).

My deepest sympathy goes to all the families of those unfortunate riders.

I would like to point out there is an overwhelming need for all drivers and riders to take full responsibility for their own behaviour on the road.

It's time for them to take advantage of the advanced training opportunities readily available. Improve their driving skills and techniques. Learn the skill and show the responsibility.

Sheila Broxup,

Chairman of the York Group of Advanced Motorists,

Forestgate, Haxby, York.

...PERHAPS it would have appeared less biased if the views of Robert Brookes had been headlined "Road users need to show more common sense".

Much of what he writes in his opening paragraph is true; far too many car drivers are impatient, arrogant and lack the basic skills of observation. But, by the same token, far too many motorcyclists have more engine power than brain power.

We all make mistakes and errors of judgement. But when one is overtaken on a city street by a motorcyclist performing a "wheelie" and one sees riders who seem to believe that the Askham Lane, Front Street, Wetherby Road, Ridgeway circuit is their own personal racetrack, then I believe it is time for all of us to sharpen up our act and behave in a more sensible and responsible manner.

Until there is a dramatic improvement in the behaviour of all road users, this tragic and needless loss of life will continue.

And a final word for Mr Brookes: motorcyclists are not being victimised by officialdom in the form of traffic police. These officers are only trying to educate those who need it. A motorcyclist enjoying his chosen form of transport in a responsible fashion has nothing to fear from officialdom.

A Dobinson,

York Advanced Motorists,

Askham Lane,

Acomb, York.

...I THINK sensationalism has afflicted your reporting after another unfortunate fatality on our roads of another motorcyclist.

I write as chairman of York Advanced Motorcyclists and chairman of the Region 4 North Forum of the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

This area extends from the Ouse to the Tyne and throughout this area there are many unpaid members spending their spare time teaching the average motorist and motorcyclist to take their driving skills further than just the basic.

I'm sure all my fellow advanced members have horror stories to tell of the bad habits of the average road user; mine is of a car driver who drove on to a pedestrian crossing to gain access to the local cash point - this happened in Haxby's main street.

With all groups in our society there are good and bad and we all need to continue to develop our skills. With more people expecting to take to our roads, standards of driving and riding need to be raised.

In defence of motorcyclists, we aren't all hooligans who ride too fast. The skills involved in moving a motorcycle are greater than those of most car drivers, whose biggest challenge seems to be operating the mobile phone, eating breakfast, tuning the radio or doing their make-up before they get to work in York.

The camaraderie among bikers is second to none and I know as well as passing on their riding skills, people in our club have gained support through some of life's crises.

Ian Buckle,

The Avenue,

Haxby, York.

...TOO many tragedies - how right you are. Like it or not in a crowded island, we would be nave to think all accidents could be avoided. As well as human error, we have poorly designed and maintained roads to contend with.

If you are a powered two-wheeler rider (Government speak - we are all the same no matter whether it is a moped or superbike) you can expect to come off worst in any accident, whoever is at fault.

We have to ride defensively, expect the unexpected and plan to take evasive action.

Do not forget that others see us from a different viewpoint and have probably never ridden and so do not understand how we will react.

Human reaction times vary, as does ability to see and observe, if the other person does not see you or panics your plan will have to be modified.

Don't blame the biker for being a victim (in 58 per cent of all motorcycle accidents the other vehicle was totally to blame).

The key to avoiding accidents is to be aware of what is going on around you to know the limitations and abilities of your vehicle and yourself.

AP George,

Tadcaster Road,

Dringhouses,

York.

...IT has been some years since I rode a motorcycle. My first was a Royal Enfield 148cc and in those days speed was kept at a minimum, but now the speeds that can be achieved are far higher. Some bikes have gone past you before you realise they are there.

When I went for my test I remember the examiner saying great skills are needed when balancing on two wheels. Treat the bike with respect and remember in a car there is more protection than you have. Make sure your speed is appropriate and remember that you may not be seen by other road users. Make yourself visible, however you wish to interpret the message.

It still applies today even though one has leathers and a crash hat.

Keith Chapman,

Custance Walk,

St Benedict Road, York.

...YOUR headline "Too Many Tragedies" brought tears to my eyes. Nothing seems to have been learnt since I lost a friend aged 16 years in 1964, from a motorbike accident.

I got married, had two children and two grandchildren, travelled and got a career. Sue got nothing, through no fault of hers. So please think everyone.

P M Clarkson,

Springfield Court,

Holgate Road, York.

Updated: 10:53 Wednesday, July 17, 2002