Bike safety week kicks off

Every year (since 1996) the MCC of NSW runs Motorcycle Awareness Week. This is the time when we focus all efforts to improving life for riders.

We do this by presenting riders in a good light in as many places as possible and showing that riders are real people.

We also shamelessly seek publicity to put riders on the TV as often as possible at this time.

The prime message is to ask car drivers to look out for riders. See www.roadsafety.mccofnsw.org.au/a/36.html.

It's a slow process, but it's working. Car-into-motorcycle type crashes have decreased since we have been doing this and a big improvement has been seen since we persuaded the RTA and MAA to spend a little money on motorcycle safety. Since 2002, we have seen an 11 per cent reduction in cars at-fault hitting motorcycles. A good result, but can be better. 10 years ago, almost half of all motorcycle crashes were caused by at-fault cars in SMIDSY crashes ("Sorry Mate I Didn't See You"). Young riders still get hit more at intersections than older riders. In the bigger picture, reductions in SMIDSYs will push the focus to riders spearing off on curves all by themselves -- hence other programs directed to immature riders are under development.

You will see banners up on the Pacific Highway and M4 and also you will notice the RTA Variable Message Signs (VMS) on main roads carrying announcements for Motorcycle Awareness Week and "Look out for Motorcyclists". RTA "Blind-Spotted" advertising will commence next week.

The latest crash statistics are published on our safety information site at www.roadsafety.mccofnsw.org.au.

This site provides motorcycle safety information for riders and road safety professionals and has been fundamental to retrieving social equity in public policy. A lot of work has gone into that site, producing reliable information.

A number of events are planned and listed here: www.mccofnsw.org.au/a/96.html.