Safe Speed Forums

Indeed it is, and I encountered a milder form of the same problem a week or two ago.

I was approaching a fairly sharp LH bend immediately before the downhill section to Kirkmoor Beck on the Scarborough to Whitby road, and I was fairly well out towards the centre-line just before the bend. This, by the way, was in the old 406, not on two wheels! A biker coming the other way (at a not excessive speed) had his tyres just on his side of the centre-line, but he was of course leaning towards me and overhanging the line. I had to nip back to my near side somewhat in order to give reasonable clearance. It was no problem as I had comfortable time to move over, but he was 'pinching a bit' all the same.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

That'll be the bit with the steep drop down, double-white lines, a bend at the bottom and steep back up again? On a road with a record for biker fatalities, one already this year if I am not mistaken. A trap for the unwary who don't pay attention to the signs.

Today's D&S Times: North Yorkshire police this month have caught 55 bikers speeding on the A684 Northallerton to Sedbergh and B6255 Hawes to Ingleton. Two were exceeding 100 mph (and that is rather excessive). Although the article states that the fatal accidents were not caused by speeding a local councillor then blames the accidents on riders using the Dales' roads as racetracks! The most recent fatal collision near Grassington on the B6295 involved a Range Rover pulling out of a minor road so presumably the rider is assumed to have been doing 100 mph!

I don't know the road in question, but I know many A roads where 100mph+ is not dangerous...

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Pecunia Prius Equitas et Salus

Ah, it sounds as if you know that bit of road. The complete section between Cloughton and Sneaton, 10 - 12 miles or so, is another of my favourites. A nice mixture of very fast stuff and some ups and downs, variety of bends etc. I've known that road well for rather more than 40 years now and can travel that entire 10-12 mile section without using brakes at all. You just have to know when to get off the loud pedal and maybe drop a cog or two!

I don't know about it being a road especially noted for biker fatalities. There are much worse problem areas, but yes I'm afraid there have been one or two fatalities already this year. It saddens me very much, as I believe one can have a lot of fun on roads like that and most of the risk could still be kept out of it.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

I've been riding m/bikes for 30 yrs. the trouble is when older folks who've not riden bikes for decade and have plenty of money and goes and buy an RI etc,these are the ones that come unstuck. modern bikes are totaly different ball game to the old bikes we had when younger.the bikes now are really fast and in some case way to fast for the public roads. why on earth do we need bikes and cars that are more capable than we are.test for young riders should apply to car drivers as well eg 1st test to ride a 125 next at 17 any bike as long as the power is no more than 33bhp now this should be the same for car drivers at 17 no more than a 1200cc retest at 21 no more than 1500cc and so on. oh by the way I have 2 bikes 1 yam 600cc and an old retsored T500 2 stroke totaly different bikes as regard to power and stopping. the accident above at aysgarth etc I 've seen it.both happened on a really sharp bend. these bends cannot be taken at high speeds probably about 10mph to 20mph at the most.imo

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born with nothing and still have most of it left

why have you swapped to engine size for cars? If you want to put a limit in for the inexperienced shouldn't it still be based on either power or better still power to weight?

<nods head>

...and some B roads.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

What a misguided statement. Any of us who ride bikes regardless of experience in time or milage carry the risk. A leading member of MAG was killed just a couple of months ago when she was changed lanes on a Dual and was knocked off her MotoGuzzi sidecar combination, a bike she had ridden fro new for many years - RIP Donna.

We all can both make mistakes and suffer for others mistakes.

As for "powerful bikes and cars" you have to remember that it is the rider/driver who controls that, what is needed to limit your risk on a bike is a bloody good attitude towards risk.

I have been considering the "limitation" strategy for reducing Motorcycle accidents, either limitation of power or of speed. The thing I don't understand is that if speed limitation is an effective strategy why are there so many accidents involving HGV's still

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Former Military Police Officer and accident investigator

http://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/viewarticle.aspx?id=382191
34 year old man - which category does that fall into?

I know this road and the garage, and it's hard to imagine why it would happen under normal circumstances, so all sorts of scenarios pass through your mind.
The most probable cause would be a SMIDSY, allied to the rider failing to appreciate that the driver might be a 68 year old potential SMIDSY, and moderating his speed/course accordingly. However, not every accident can be avoided by just one party!

After 1 month, is this classed as a fatal, or a SI?
If it is a fatal, then the figures dont look good for 2006 after last years trumpeted 25 % reduction in Cumbria.

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Time to take responsibility for our actions.. and don't be afraid of speaking out!

Died: within 30 days from injuries received in a collision

Serious Injury: An injury for which a person is detained in hospital as an ‘in-patient’, or any of the
following injuries whether or not the person is detained in hospital: fractures, concussion, internal
injuries, crushings, burns, severe cuts and lacerations or severe general shock requiring medical
treatment

Looks borderline. Intersting though things like this could distort the figures.

Maybe it depends if the hospital is reporting the figures or the Police....

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Speed camera policy Kills

[ What a misguided statement.
misguided statement! no I don't think so, I.m speaking from my own experience .eg riding along towards Helmsley I was overtaken by 4 bikers as I was approaching a sharp left hand bends and they all nearly lost it also I had to take avasive action due to their over keeness to get pass me. so before the next bend I got pass them for my own safety .got to Helmsley and when they arrived took their helmets off well bugger me they are all about the same age as me and they were laughing and judging by their hand sign it looks to me they were commenting on the bends.this has happened to me on more than one occcasions. granted the younger ones also do the same. I'm not saying all or the majority buy bikes that are too big for them. sure we all make mistakes its human nature the last person who never made a mistake died over 2,000 years ago by the name of jesus.as for the car licences test I think the same should apply to cars like they do for bikers. a wealthy family can buy a impressa or what ever they call them for a young kid who just pass his test. are you saying because he's driving a car he's less likely to have an accident than if he would if having a m/bike. I don't think so. where I live I have requested for a speed camera due to these mad drivers going at more than 30mph. all I got back was not enough accident! 1 garage demolished.3 walls demolished,2 fences demolished and 2 kids knocked over one fatal , 3 parked cars smashed and these happened just outside my home in a middle of a housing estate(and most of these are caused by young drivers inc females). yet the council has a speed camera on a main road where as there have never been an accident to my knowledge in all the 30 years I've lived here.

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born with nothing and still have most of it left

I just can't figure out what you are saying. How do you decide what bike is suitable for which rider. If you have a full bike entitlement but have not ridden for 20 years does this make you more or less dangerous than a novice 21 year old who has just passed their test. I think your insurance would be much cheaper and that says a lot.

A bit of negative stereotyping I think.

Sounds like you have got a chip on your shoulder.

The actual figures are here...
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_transstats/documents/downloadable/dft_transstats_611683.xls

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Speed camera policy Kills

and how is that going to stop them?

It wont... but the SCP will have a great set of pictures for the press release!
"Safety Camera" = Toll but without the need to slow down or stop at the toll booth!

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Time to take responsibility for our actions.. and don't be afraid of speaking out!

I absolutely agree but on the A684 there are only a couple of places where 100 mph would be safe on a motorbike (and out-of-season preferably) and again on the B6255 there is a section in Widdale where it would be relatively safe.

As to JohnnyUK's comments - well the B1257 Bilsdale road needs a whole thread of its own what with BAND etc. - a very scenic road of unexpectedly tightening bends and long, fast straights....

I do not know the roads in question. However do you mean an instantaneous 100MPH or a sustained cruise? Its very easy to hit 100 over taking anything on any 600cc + bike especially if you, once you have decided its safe, you use all available oomph.

I think it also depends on the bike. A Fireblade could take a tight turn at twice the speed of a Goldwing.

Sports bike riders tend to accelerate harder, and brake harder and take turns tighter than the average cruiser would, could or wanted to.

I prefer to err towards the cruiser category and prefer to "relax" during a ride. I would rather keep at a constant 50-70 for 300 miles on A and B roads rather than the "Oh my God" style of adrenaline filled, lucky to be alive Sunday thrash. But we are all different.

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Speed camera policy Kills

A quick blast.