The BMF is working with key partners within the Motorcycle Focus Group to make your Ride safer

Every summer, thousands of motorcyclists head to Scotland to experience some of the finest riding roads anywhere in Europe. From the sweeping bends of the Borders to the spectacular scenery of the Highlands and the islands, Scotland offers unforgettable and often breathtaking motorcycling. But those roads also present unique challenges for motorcyclists, who unfortunately account for roughly 18% of Scottish road fatalities while making up less than 1% of all traffic. Rural routes, especially in regions popular for touring like the Highlands, feature heavily in accident statistics, with almost 50% of serious accidents happening on roads with speed limits over 40 mph.

Many of our members may not know that the BMF is a long-standing member of Scotland’s Motorcycle Focus Group (MFG), where we represent the interests of everyday riders alongside the Scottish Government’s Roads Directorate, Transport Scotland, Police Scotland, local authorities, road safety organisations and other key stakeholders.

The MFG is not simply a talking shop. It is where the leading organisations responsible for Scotland’s roads, and the safety of those using them, come together to examine collision trends, identify emerging risks, develop targeted safety campaigns and influence policies designed to reduce motorcycle casualties. The BMF ensures that the voice of riders is heard whenever decisions affecting motorcycling are discussed; including the development of wider road safety policy across Scotland and specific initiatives to make Scotland’s roads safer for motorcyclists; such as the rollout of Prime road markings, specifically designed to encourage better road positioning and safer cornering by riders.

The BMF’s long-standing involvement in the MFG means that the experience and concerns of BMF members help shape discussions on key road safety issues, such as road engineering, rider behaviour, vehicle conspicuity, enforcement, education, signage and the management of Scotland’s most popular motorcycling routes. By working collaboratively rather than in isolation, the Group has developed a strong reputation for delivering practical, evidence-led initiatives that benefit all motorcyclists.

One of the BMF’s key partners within the MFG is Police Scotland, whose seasonal motorcycle safety operations are now a familiar sight on many of Scotland’s favourite riding roads. While enforcement remains an important part of road safety, these operations place significant emphasis on engagement and education. Officers regularly speak with riders at popular stopping points, offering advice on riding techniques, hazard perception and safer decision-making, while taking robust action against the small minority whose dangerous riding puts everyone at risk and damages the reputation of the wider motorcycling community.

The MFG recognises that most collisions are preventable. Riders themselves can make a real difference to their own safety outcomes by adopting a defensive riding approach, anticipating hazards and ensuring they remain visible at all times to other road users. Too many collisions still occur because another driver fails to see a motorcycle, particularly at junctions or during turning manoeuvres. To counter this, and reduce the risks, the Scottish authorities have run a number off education and awareness campaigns for drivers, including foreign drivers coming from the Continent, to look out for and pay special attention to motorcyclists. Riders too can take a number of measures themselves to ensure they enjoy Scottish roads this summer and avoid becoming another accident statistic.

With motorcycle riding, there are a number of simple riding principles that have been shown to save lives:

• Ride to be seen, choosing high-visibility gear, and position yourself where other road users are most likely to notice you. Never linger in a car, van or lorry’s blind spot and always position yourself so that you are visible in their mirrors. Pay particular attention during every manoeuvre—yours and everyone else’s. Overtaking, changing position, negotiating bends and approaching junctions all demand your full concentration. Approach all intersections and junctions with caution.

• Expect the unexpected. Tourist traffic, agricultural vehicles, changing weather, livestock and varying road surfaces can quickly change the riding environment. Be attentive and anticipate changing conditions.

• Create escape routes. Always plan an “out.” When stopped at a traffic light, leave enough room to manoeuvre and keep your bike in gear. And watch your mirrors carefully for approaching cars in order to avoid a rear-end collision.

• Practise emergency braking in controlled environments so that you are able to apply maximum braking pressure in an emergency situation without locking the wheels.

• Ride smoothly, within your limits and those of the road, leaving yourself the time and space to react. And always maintain a visual buffer, to give yourself more time to react, by constantly scanning further down the road.

Much of what the BMF does on behalf of riders takes place away from the public eye, in meetings, consultations and working groups, where the future of motorcycling is shaped. Our seat on the Scottish Motorcycle Focus Group, working with like-minded, professional partners who want to ensure the safety of all riders and their passengers on Scottish roads, ensures that riders have a strong, knowledgeable and respected voice helping to influence road safety policy and the delivery of practical initiatives across Scotland.

So, whether you’re tackling the North Coast 500, exploring Argyll, crossing the Cairngorms or simply enjoying a weekend away, remember that the BMF is working year-round with our partners to make every journey safer.

Ride safely, stay visible, try to anticipate the actions of other road users, and have a fantastic Scottish summer.

Useful links

Police Scotland here

Transport Scotland here

Project Prime here

Written by Paul Morgan CBE

Top image courtesy of Martin Boujon – Unsplash