We all know that excessive speed, and also riding at a speed that is inappropriate for the conditions or our skill level, is a major contributing factor in many motorcycle crashes. But what about travelling below the speed of the surrounding traffic - is that dangerous too? Can you put yourself at risk by travelling too slowly?

Well, the short answer is a very definite “yes”.

Now before I get too far into this let me make two things very clear….
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I heard this ad campaign mentioned on a motoring show on Brisbane radio today and thought I’d seen it somewhere - where else but YouTube

Welcome to the Bike Safe Newsletter 2/2009.

I would like to thank all those that attended the first Bike Safe presentation on 25^th November 2009.  With over 30 people attending it was a great success.  I hope that even if you left with a small amount of information then it was a worthwhile experience.  My hope is that you leave the sessions with those prompts in mind and next time you are out riding they force you to think about some of the safety issues that occur.
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For those of us with little aspiring motorcycle champions the news that Honda Motorcycles and former National Motocross/Supercross Champion Lee Hogan have teamed up to launch “MotoKids” in 2010 is certainly good news.

The program is already gaining widespread coverage, and rightly so.
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Those people who have already expressed interest in participating in the BikeSafe program being organised by Sgt Bradyn Murphy would have received an email from him today with an update on the program.
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I was chatting to Sgt Bradyn Murphy from the Gold Coast District Traffic Branch recently about his involvement with BikeSafe.

BikeSafe is a UK national police led initiative that seeks to engage riders in a conflict free environment with the aim of increasing their awareness, creating a genuine desire to learn about safer riding and ultimately to help lower the number of motorcycle rider casualties.

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Many years ago I was involved in driver and rider training at the Police Driving School in Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe).  I was intrigued one Saturday morning, during the weekly spit and polish session, by the antics of one of our new recruits.  My attention was drawn to this unfortunate soul who had just filled her Vespa scooter with petrol.  She had managed to kick start the ungainly machine and had mounted the saddle with the intention of riding it away from the fuel pump for further polishing and later inspection.  (more…)

Motorcycle safety ad produced by the Transport Accident Commission in Victoria

If you think you’re an experienced rider, take our multiple choice test to see if you measure up.  Topics include Braking, Cornering, Traction and General Knowledge.

Good luck, and don’t forget to post your results in the comments section! (more…)

1. Accelerate quickly up to speed
2. Stop quickly - be aware what is behind you- slowing with the cars put you in danger
3. Do the Speed limit
4. Make early decisions – be in control of your environment
5. Plan – think ahead
6. Ride in the gaps – do not sit beside other vehicles while travelling
7. Stay in the mirrors of other vehicles when passing or being passed
8. Scan constantly – looking for possible dangers
9. Look in your mirrors frequently
10. Check your blind spots – where 1 lane ends and when changing lanes and when leaving roundabouts - you can not protect yourself from what you cannot see.
11. Never drink and ride