Coroner and bike star unite to spread safety message

Leading the campaign are British Supersport Championship rider Dennis Hobbs and Geoff Fell, coroner for the western district of North Yorkshire.

In just four months this year, six motorcyclists have died on the county’s roads compared to seven in the whole of last year.

Over the past decade, 148 people have been killed and 1,229 seriously injured in motorbike crashes in North Yorkshire.

The 95 Alive York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership, made up of councils and the emergency services, asked Mr Hobbs and Mr Fell to spread the safety message.

The warning comes as thousands of motorcyclists are set to head to North Yorkshire for the bank holiday weekend.

Taking the unusual step of speaking out, Mr Fell said: “In some nine years, I have only had two road traffic deaths which could truly be described as unavoidable, the rest were all avoidable.

“I and my fellow coroners regularly issue warnings to motorcyclists after crash inquests where a biker has died.

“I regularly see the consequences of these fatal collisions as I see the wives of the deceased and often the teenage children at the inquest.

“What the motorcyclists tend to do, on occasions, is make errors of judgement with, sadly, fatal consequences.”

He added that, in many cases, the riders were not speeding or above the drink-drive limit and that they knew the road.

He added: “The public may have the perception that coroners investigate road traffic collisions and usually return verdicts of accidental death.

“Coroners have another and perhaps more important role that is intended to save lives. That role is to try to prevent similar fatalities.

“We do that by reporting matters to those who have the powers to take action to try and achieve that.”

Mr Hobbs, 26, formerly of Guisborough, speaks from experience after suffering a crash on a test day at Croft Circuit in 2004.

The talented rider and regular Ken Redfern Trophy winner said: “We are concerned about making bikers as safe as possible.

“I had a bad accident when I broke my neck at Croft, but luckily there were paramedics nearby who could help me.

“On the track, there are marshals waving yellow flags if there’s oil on the road or debris on the track.

“On the open road, it’s all up to you, to spot the hazards, judge bends and react in time. You can crash in the middle of nowhere and it can be a long time before help gets to you.

“I’ve learnt through years of experience how to read a track and the same skills can be used on a road, which is far more likely to change. Take your time, as it might not be your fault – it could be a tractor coming out of a field or a diesel spill.

“Bikers must be well prepared, make sure your motorcycle is in good condition, make sure your skills haven’t gone rusty over the winter.”

Andy Walker, owner of Teasdale Motorcycles, in Thirsk, where the campaign was launched, said: “My main message to all motorcyclists is to think ahead, as a little bit of preparation can help.

“I think that 95 per cent of riders and drivers stay within the law and it’s the other five per cent that ruin it and need lessons like this.”

North Yorkshire Police are offering training for motorcyclists via northyorkshirepolice@bikesafe.co.uk.