Australia: Riders told to take care

OFF THE WIRE
Australia:

http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/riders-told-to-take-care/2017998.aspx

Riders told to take care

WHITNEY HARRIS 08 Dec, 2010 04:00 AM MOTORCYCLISTS are being warned to take every precaution while on the roads this Christmas to ensure they make it home safe for the holidays. So far this year 48 motorbike riders have been killed on Victorian roads, a 60 per cent increase from the same time last year.
Motorcycle safety activist Damien Codognotto, of the Independent Riders’ Group said rider inexperience in this year’s big wet may have contributed to some of the deaths and he warned all motorcyclists and scooter riders to take extra precaution in the lead-up to Christmas.
He said wearing the correct protective clothing, servicing your bike regularly and riding within the law and to the conditions would greatly increase a rider’s safety on the road.
“One of the biggest advantages the motorcyclist has over the cyclist is that we are able, because of the engines, to wear heavier, good quality clothing,” Mr Codognotto said.
“Riders who go around in thongs and T-shirts are giving other riders a bad name and are putting their lives at serious risk.
“The gear we have now is superb, even in our hottest summers we’ve got light weight body armour that looks good and is affordable so there is no real excuse for not wearing the right gear.”
Mr Codognotto also encouraged motorcyclists to keep their training up-to-date, particularly older riders.
“There are always new methods and new systems coming up, plus the technology has improved so much in the past 10 years that doing a refresher course is a real benefit,” he said.
Other motorists are also being encouraged to be aware of motorbike and scooter riders.
“Most car drivers aren’t a problem to motorcyclists and scooter riders,” Mr Codognotto said.
“Most of them are pretty good and riders can predict what they are going to do.
“One of the biggest nightmares for riders at the moment is the mobile phone. If a rider sees a driver on the phone, give them a wide berth because they are very dangerous on the roads.”