View Full Version : Crash barriers
Press Release
02 December 2008
Motorcyclists dying needlessly, says IAM report
One in six motorcyclist deaths could result from hitting a crash barrier, and in such collisions a rider is 15 times more likely to be killed than a car occupant, according to new research released today by the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists).
‘Barriers to change: designing safe roads for motorcyclists’ examines why crash barriers are life savers for car drivers but can kill vulnerable motorcyclists. Its findings are particularly critical of crash barrier support posts that can cause injuries five times more severe than in an average motorcycle crash.
IAM Director for research and policy, Neil Greig, said: “Although riders should take responsibility for their own safety, our road authorities must now ‘Think Bike’ and design crash barriers that give riders protection against the aggressive features that cause devastating injuries.
“France has retro-fitted lower rails to prevent riders hitting support posts at the most vulnerable sites on its road network, leading to rates of return of around 400 per cent. If it can be done in France it must now be done in the UK.”
The research panel which produced the report in conjunction with the IAM and the European Road Assessment Programme (EuroRAP) is calling for new guidance on the design and use of ‘motorcycle friendly’ barriers.
EuroRAP’s European Programme Director, Dr Joanne Hill says: “It wouldn’t be possible to install ‘motorcycle friendly barriers’ across a nation’s roads overnight. However the new report shows how some countries are already assessing roads by systematic action to ensure that barriers are made safe for motorcyclists in areas of highest risk. The commitment by governments across Europe is needed to fund these high return safety programmes.”
ENDS
.
DanAbnormal
05-12-08, 10:20 AM
Was there a similar campaign for street light posts too? I'm sure I saw one somewhere. Truth is, we're the minority, I very doubt the government will change these barriers just to save a few riders lives, as much as it sadens me to say it. I guess we should focus on riding safer and not hitting the barrier in the first place. Not always up to us though is it. :mad:
I would LOVE for this to happen alas I fear it would probably cost to much for them to really care.
One of my biggest fears is hitting the post of an armco barrier and my girlfriend not being able to see me in one piece again before I'm cremated.
The cat and fiddle has a lower barrier on all dodgy corners now, they were fitted at the end of summer.
Bluepete
05-12-08, 11:07 AM
Get that welsh bloke from The Fun Police on it. He'd have it sorted in a jiffy.........................by closing all roads!
madness
05-12-08, 11:10 AM
I think that any changes would more likely be in the shape of compulsory safety clothing rather than changes to road infrastructure. Much cheaper for the government.
I think that any changes would more likely be in the shape of compulsory safety clothing rather than changes to road infrastructure. Much cheaper for the government.
Compulsory could potentially mean VAT free aswell.....cheaper clothing.
Would not make a blind bit of difference when you hit an armco upright at 50mph.......best way to stop that is to stop you being able to hit the uprights in the first place.
Luckypants
05-12-08, 11:21 AM
In fairness, the lower barriers are being fitted on corners where there is a proven risk. No comfort to the family of the poor biker who proves the risk though! We have them in places in North Wales.
In fairness, the lower barriers are being fitted on corners where there is a proven risk. No comfort to the family of the poor biker who proves the risk though! We have them in places in North Wales.
+1. Padog is just one place that springs to mind as being notorious for biker's coming off to varying degrees. The road has been re-engineered (to make the bends less severe - also less fun but you can't have everything!) and lower barriers have been put in place for exactly the reason in the OP.
It does, and has been happening for a while in the UK, just not as often as I think it should.
Was there a similar campaign for street light posts too? I'm sure I saw one somewhere. Truth is, we're the minority, I very doubt the government will change these barriers just to save a few riders lives, as much as it sadens me to say it. I guess we should focus on riding safer and not hitting the barrier in the first place. Not always up to us though is it. :mad:that was my view too until I read that they are doing it in France
In fairness, the lower barriers are being fitted on corners where there is a proven risk. No comfort to the family of the poor biker who proves the risk though! We have them in places in North Wales.
+1. Padog is just one place that springs to mind as being notorious for biker's coming off to varying degrees. The road has been re-engineered (to make the bends less severe - also less fun but you can't have everything!) and lower barriers have been put in place for exactly the reason in the OP.
It does, and has been happening for a while in the UK, just not as often as I think it should.
That's good to hear, Cat & Fiddle too. :)
Luckypants
05-12-08, 02:15 PM
The road has been re-engineered (to make the bends less severe - also less fun but you can't have everything!) and lower barriers have been put in place for exactly the reason in the OP.
Yeah but the bend that has folks that don't know the road off is hardly changed. It is a tightening left hander with an intimidating wall for those taking a 'racing line' (aka stupid), many folks run wide by hitting the brakes or not having control / bottle to lean it some more. This bend still has the nasty tightening kink, just a bit more 'wriggle room' from the lane being widened. End of the day, up to the rider to ride to the road he can see and you cannot see a lot heading into that one.
The lower barriers are a good move to stop anyone getting stuck under them, because more weekend warriors will come off there, despite the improvements.
What I'm saying is that no matter how a roads safety is improved, drivers need to not crash ;)
Compulsory could potentially mean VAT free aswell.....cheaper clothing.
Cheaper? You are having a laugh, aren't you?
You do realise that 99% of the supposed motorcycle clothing on the shelves in nothing more than fashion clothing made to look like it'll suit a biker. In my experience, the bigger the price tag, the worse it is at actually doing anything useeful in a crash situation.
Have a good look through a Dainese or Alpinestars advert and look for the words 'safety' and 'protection' - you won't find any relating to the garment itself because they aren't allowed to use those words unless the garment is approved as personal protective equipment. They'll make a big issue about CE approved armour, but that's it.
If Dainese had to make all their clothing CE approved they'd either go bust tomorrow or treble the price.
The lower barriers are a good move to stop anyone getting stuck under them, because more weekend warriors will come off there, despite the improvements.
The one that gets me is when cruising at a comfortabl3 speed down the motorway on the commute with the armco flying by, then I stop and think......hmmmm what if my chain snapped or had sudden pressure loss, I would be cheese lol......I'l happily take my chance sliding on my bum, but sliding on your bum into metal post has an almost certain ending
Cheaper? You are having a laugh, aren't you?
It was meant to be ironic I should have added a :rolleyes: at the end of it really.
Although regardless how good or bad people claim things to be, any protective stuff is better than no protective stuff.
Although regardless how good or bad people claim things to be, any protective stuff is better than no protective stuff.
Not when you've seen a pair of £4-99 Tesco jeans do better in an abrasion test than a very expensive pair ofItalian branded leather trousers.
Not when you've seen a pair of £4-99 Tesco jeans do better in an abrasion test than a very expensive pair ofItalian branded leather trousers.
:shock:
Not when you've seen a pair of £4-99 Tesco jeans do better in an abrasion test than a very expensive pair ofItalian branded leather trousers.
Never seen or heard of that, I'm sure it must be published somewhere to back that up?
Did they have leather on 1 leg and jeans on the other? otherwise an unfair test I imagine.
New textile trade grade jeans wear through in 0.4 seconds.....basic cheap trade leather chaps (poorer and cheaper grade than even RST use) take 2.6 seconds to wear through.........and thats with a chainsaw.
I have the report somewhere from when we did the test.
Sometimes I think you just enjoy having a rip at 'italian brand' lozzo ;)
yorkie_chris
05-12-08, 04:28 PM
A mate of mine fell off the other week, £300 worth of jacket and the arm fell off it in a pi$$y little lowside. I've had 2 or 3 worse ones than that in my old belstaff leather jacket and it still looks fine, nothing ripped anywhere.
All style no use, like a lot of eyetie built stuff.
vBulletin® , Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.