It was a sad return to the keyboard this week. Too many riders in recent weeks have had fatal accidents. Our deepest sympathies go to all those involved with these events. Whenever we hear of a rider casualty it’s a very good time to check our own riding behaviours. Do we always ride at a safe speed for the circumstances? Are we always in the safest riding position on the road? Is there always time to stop safely, on our own side of the road, in the distance we can see to be clear? Are we always leaving enough space, if we need it, from vehicles in front that will allow us to take action? Run these questions through the brain before you ride, when you’re riding and after you’ve ridden. Ride safe.

UK Government plans are moving slowly toward re-testing vehicle users. Starting with those born before 1964 a new ‘standardised mature driver assessment’ is being developed. Whatever your thoughts on re-testing it seems as though we will soon be required to show that we are still fully capable of riding or driving. In this week’s newsletter one rider gives her views on taking extra, voluntary, training on the track with Mike Abbott at the British Superbike School.

No matter how good a rider or driver you are, the roads are in a mess. The Parliamentary Committee for Transport Safety (PACTS) has severely criticised the state of minor roads. 98% of journeys take place on minor roads. One enterprising road user has taken to planting flowers in the potholes, but we don’t think this will solve the problem. British manufacturers and service providers have all made their displeasure known this week, asserting that the highway maintenance problems are severely damaging the UK economy. This seriously impedes the Government’s economic growth ambitions on which all our prosperity depends. At least motorcycles are manoeuvrable enough to avoid the damaged highway, but it takes an alert rider focussed on keeping themselves safe.

Bikesure are being helpful by reminding us about helmet law. Even for long-in-the-saddle bikers, it’is definitely worth a read. If you are going to describe something about motorcycle riding as unsafe, you should at least understand the background research on the issue. Kevin Williams rightly takes issue with the latest Irish Government’s pronouncement that ‘filtering is unsafe’. Detailed research says something different. It’is less the act of filtering, than HOW we filter that is important. A good read for all riders. Happy reading.