The Institute of Advance Motorists (IAM) has said that the UK should follow France's lead and reduce the incidence of fatal motorcycle accidents by getting rid of roadside barriers.
IAM's director for research and policy, Neil Greig, commented, "Although riders should take responsibility for their own safety, our road authorities must now 'Think Bike' and design crash barriers that give riders protection against the aggressive features that cause devastating injuries.
"France has retro-fitted lower rails to prevent riders hitting support posts at the most vulnerable sites on its road network, leading to rates of return of around 400 per cent. If it can be done in France it must now be done in the UK."
The institute believes that roadside crash barriers may be responsible for as many as one in six motorcycle accident deaths.
Meanwhile the European Road Assessment Programme (EuroRAP) has said it supports the motorcycle accident prevention idea but believes that it will take time to implement any such measure.
EuroRAP's director, Dr Joanne Hill, said, "It wouldn't be possible to install 'motorcycle friendly barriers' across a nation's roads overnight.
"However the new report shows how some countries are already assessing roads by systematic action to ensure that barriers are made safe for motorcyclists in areas of highest risk. The commitment by governments across Europe is needed to fund these high return safety programmes."
It is believed that many motorcycle injury solicitors also support the ‘motorbike friendly barrier' idea.
*A replacement vehicle can usually be supplied within 4-6 working hours, where there is an admission of liability from the other person’s insurance company. If this person is not known, their insurance details are not known, they are uninsured or there is a potential dispute over who caused the accident, a replacement vehicle cannot be provided.
