What Can Councils Do To Promote Motorcycling?

subsidised training for learners? put posters up in youth clubs etc detailing all the benefits of motorbikes?

 

Sounds obvious but the road surface and placement of man holes needs attention as it’s a lot more critical to motorbikes than cars

 

Educate cadgers

 

Let motorcycles use bus lanes

 

You can up round these parts

 

I believe Leicestershire were offering subsidised motorcycle training last year.

I personnally think most road calming measures actually take drivers attention away from other road users, as well as the obvious introducution of an additional unnecessary obstacle. So I would suggest that councils use more intelligence and look to improve the ease of use of roads, and that includes maintaining them properly, so that drivers are not distracted by obstacles and potholes etc.

I believe that motorcyclists make the best car drivers, as our hazzard perception and avoidance is so so much better. So I've always thought that as part of a car driving test, learners should perhaps have to complete a days motorcycle training to heighten their awareness of bikes, and it might also intoduce them to the pleasure of riding bikes that they otherwise might never experience.

 

Bus lanes, yes to all, in london some can be used by bikes others can’t, it’s confusing.
Motorcycle parking, anchor points and not tucked out of the way as an afterthought but closer to shop, service entrance with lighting.

 

Yes I agree with the bus lanes, it is so confusing between areas and needs to be addressed nationally.

Parking and toll exemptions would be a good way to encourage more motorbike use in towns and ease congestion.

 

Bus lanes would help, can't use them here in Winchester but you can in other places. Agree with crispey that it can be confusing - especially in London!
Subsidised training and more secure parking would also be a big improvement.
What about secure parking with some kind of storage for helmets and other gear?

 

I to would like something done about the roads. Got to a point you can't even miss the craters anymore. And yes some where to park you pride and joy were it doesn't get stolen or mauled over.
Ride Safe
Joe.

 

Increase the number of those white painted boxed off areas just before the stop line at traffic lights. It's a safe area after you've just filtered your way to the front of queuing traffic.

Not sure if they are designed for cyclists only, but I use them.

 

Isn’t motorcycle tax/registration classed as bicycles? Or has that all been changed?

 

In Sheffield in the car park at the end of Devonshire Street they had secure storage that were for bike kit. They have removed now for a couple of extra car bays.
Really good idea on a hot sunny day (not that you get many in Sheff)

 

That's a great idea,I remember when me and the Mrs were out a run and we stopped off in Oban for lunch and had a wander about.they had Lockers near the ferry so we could leave all our gear safely..All towns and villages should have this facility great for bikers but it's also great for businesses as you are more likely to stay in the place longer

 

Extra training facilities, designated safe parking spaces (happy to pay for a ticket, though not sure how you'd display it without some scrote nicking it) stop spreading loose gravel instead of filling holes properly, subsidised learner training... Off the top of my head.

 

There should be more training centres. For us here, the nearest training centre is inverness, a 200 mile round trip. There is a guy who comes halfway up, to Alness... But its still a drag for learners, especially if doing a cbt, they then have to get there. So, each town in a set radius should be able to train new riders. Subsidising it would make it easier for learners, and cheaper to set up, so more likely to actually be set up.

 

Actually they are for cyclists and using them is inviting a ticket, not that I expect Mr Plod would...

 

I’ve been caught out using a bus lane in Bedford (allowed here) then having to stop at traffic lights, which refused to note I was waiting and stayed red until a bus came along!

So better sensors would be a good thing.

 

Yeah some bus lanes you can some you can't makes it very confusing and wonder if plod is trying to catch you out

 

Stop using "shared spaces". Here in Wycombe the road designers keep giving us ambiguous spaces, with no signage, narrow lanes and confusing central reserves that are meant, in theory, to make people drive slowly and with consideration. In reality pedestrians and cyclists take their lives into their own hands as most car drivers take the lack of rules as go where you like as fast as you like and just force people out of their way. For us on bikes it's just as bad as people do not give way or slow down at these weird junctions. Theory does not always work! Many of these new designs have massively wide pavements at the expense of road space too which makes it way more dangerous for all vulnerable road users and is frequently in an area that has almost no pedestrian use!

Stop assuming pedestrians are the only ones that need to have safe spaces!!