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Scooters and mopeds are becoming more popular as Londoners try to reduce the cost of their commute to work and give themselves more flexibility in where and when they travel. Many do not realise just how vulnerable they could be when commuting on their powered two-wheelers (motorcycle, mopeds and scooters). Nearly half of all PTW casualties involve machines under 250cc - meaning taking a tumble off your scooter is just as likely as on a Harley Davidson. Many riders of the bigger machines have taken authorised training and testing before they set off - while scooter and moped riders might not have had any form of official tuition other than that given during their Compulsory Basic Training. The BikeSafe London Rider Skills Day, set up by the partnership between the Metropolitan Police, the City of London Police and Transport for London have developed ScooterSafe-London, which offers assessments on riders' skills and advice to help make their riding in London safer and more enjoyable. ScooterSafe-London has the same aim as its larger sibling - to reduce the incidents which lead to scooter and moped riders featuring so prominently in the capital's PTW casualty statistics. It's really affordable: just £30 gives you a full day of interactive presentations and observed rides from the very best bike professionals on the road, the two police forces. The presenters will share tips and hints on safer riding, and assess each rider's style and ability. At the end of the day each participant will receive written feedback on how they've done and which areas they need to improve on. ScooterSafe-London is open to all riders, from the novice on a moped up to a long-term rider of a 250cc scooter. You just need a CBT certificate, a relevant licence, insurance and valid MOT if applicable. The next ScooterSafe day is on November 22nd at The Ace Café, Ace Corner, North Circular Road, Stonebridge, and London, NW10 7UD. See www.scootersafe-london.co.uk for more information. For more information on BikeSafe-London, see www.bikesafe-london.co.uk. Anyone living or working in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea can register for a FREE Bike/Scootersafe lesson by sending an email request to road.safety@rbkc.gov.uk
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Keeping safe when on your PTW isn't just about riding safely and handling busy city traffic, it's about having a roadworthy bike to ride in the first place. Regular maintenance checks are vital, and may help reduce the chances of a mechanics-related crash. There are a number of simple checks you can perform which won't break the bank but may help to keep you safe whilst riding. Check your oil regularly - at least once a month, don’t forget the other fluids, in all case refer to the manufacturer’s handbook. There are two very important components on a PTW, firstly its tyres - they're the only things keeping you on the straight and narrow. Check tyre pressures and tread at least once a week - you're scooter/moped manual will tell you the right pressure. Riding on correctly inflated tyres will improve your fuel consumption and your PTW’s engine efficiency too, saving you money in the long run. Secondly your lights; at this time of year you are more likely to be riding in poor light or at night, so keep an eye on your battery levels and check all bulbs are working - without lights, other road users can't see you. A once-a-week check is advisable - and while you're doing it, don't forget the horn. You don't use it often but it's your only way of warning other road users of your presence, so make sure it's in good working order.
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| Bad Weather Gear
Bad weather can make riding your PTW more difficult. The roads may be slippy, driving rain can reduce visibility and the cold air can send you numb. You can't stop the rain; you handle the wet roads by reducing your speed, keeping your manoeuvres smooth and your machine upright. As for the cold - wear the right gear. An open-faced helmet might feel fresher when the warm summer air is blowing in your face but come autumn a full face helmet will help keep the rain out and make you feel less exposed. The two parts of your anatomy that control your bike - your hands and your feet - are the two parts that can suffer most from the cold, so make sure you have the right kit on. You must wear gloves: once your hands become numb with cold, controlling the bike will become difficult, and if you do fall, a tough pair of gloves or gauntlets can protect you from the worst road rash injuries. If you regularly ride in cold weather you could consider buying electrically heated inner gloves or electrically heated handlebar grips. However, these can put a large demand on your PTW's battery so you should check that it can cope with the extra demands before you buy and fit them. During the summer you might have been tempted to wear lighter boots when riding (though never light shoes or sandals!). Bad weather needs more: strong, sturdy boots are another must to help keep out the cold, and they'll give you the protection you need if you do take a tumble.
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Winter's round the corner - that means gloomy mornings and dark evenings for commuters on their way to work or going home. There's no reason why the winter should mean you lock away your PTW but it does mean you have to think more about making yourself seen in the poor light. Think about when you ride and what steps you'll take to make yourself seen. During the day, wearing fluorescent clothing will improve your chances of being seen. In addition, wearing a white helmet or riding with your headlamp on dipped beam will help other road users to see you. But it's at night or at the end of the working day when it gets more difficult to see PTWs, and for then you have to invest in some reflective biking gear. If you don't want to go the whole hog and buy bikers' oversuit, which often have reflective panels sewn into them, make sure you add reflective strips to your jacket, gloves and trousers - on your boots, too, if you can. Remember you need to be visible from the side as well as the front and back. Other road users' lights will reflect the strips and help you stay in the spotlight. Many road collisions involving PTWs occur because another road user didn't see them. Using some form of visibility aid may help others see you.
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