Campaign launched to reduce motorcyclist and cyclist deaths across Dorset

In Dorset, per mile travelled, more motorcyclists will be killed or critically injured than any other road user, while nationally around 10 motorcyclists are killed or seriously injured every day.

In response Dorset Police are working with DocBike and Dorset Road Safe Partnership to launch the campaign Think Bike, Have You Been Seen in order to reduce motorcyclist and cyclist deaths.

Spokesman for DocBike, Dr Ian Mew said: "The human brain is not good at 'seeing' small objects travelling towards it at speed.

"A high proportion of motorcycle collisions on Dorset roads occur when another vehicle pulls into the path of a motorcycle which is unable to stop in time.

"Motorcyclists and cyclists don’t have a roll cage, seat belts or air bags, they're often seriously injured or killed when involved in a collision."

In an effort to prevent road deaths across Dorset, all road users are being urged to take extra time - particularly at junctions - and 'think bike'.

The campaign runs from April 1 until October 31 and will see unique road signs in key locations where many motorcyclists have been injured in Dorset to date.

Jack Wiltshire, Dorset Council Head of Highways, has been working with the campaign to facilitate the rolling out of signs in accident hot-spots.

Following feedback from a month-long public consultation there are two different signs, including 'think bike' - reminding all road users to take that extra moment to look for a bike - especially at junctions - where the brain finds it difficult to see motorcyclists travelling towards them at speed.

The second sign is 'have you been seen?' This will remind bikers they might not have been seen by other road users and that even though they have the right of way, being able to stop if a vehicle pulls out in their path might save their life.

Dorset Police inspector Joe Pardey said: "Every year motorcycle fatalities peak throughout the spring and summer time. This is likely due to the better weather encouraging riders to travel more readily on two wheels.

"The causes of collisions are a mixture of rider error and drivers not looking properly.

"We know when lockdown ends that traffic volumes will increase with collisions becoming more likely.

"We urge all road users to that extra time to look three times and for those vulnerable road users to ensure that they have been seen."

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