Motorbike Insurance

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is urging authorities to improve safety for motorbike insurance customers on UK roads.

According to new research by the organisation, one of the major threats to riders is posed by the crash barriers originally intended to help protect road users.

The report suggests that, in a collision with the barriers, a motorbike rider is 15 times more likely to be killed than a car occupant.

Furthermore, despite acting as a life-saver for car drivers, they are blamed for the death of one in six motorcyclists on the roads.

Neil Greig, IAM director for research and policy, said: "Our road authorities must now 'Think Bike' and design crash barriers that give riders protection against the aggressive features that cause devastating injuries."

He revealed that France had developed "retro-fitted lower rails" in order to prevent riders from hitting crash barrier support posts, which can cause injuries five times more severe than in an average motorcycle crash.

"If it can be done in France it must now be done in the UK," he declared.

The report comes after the IAM issued advice to car drivers earlier this week to help reduce the number of riders killed in collisions on the roads.

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