Design by Dave Curran Design. Print by McBrinn Printers. August, 2018

THIS IS YOUR BIKE A safety guide for you and your motorcycle or moped

Údarás Um Shábháilteacht Ar BhóithreRoad Safety Authority

Moy Valley Business Park, Primrose HillDublin Road, Ballina, Co. Mayo.locall: 1890 50 60 80 tel: 00353 (0) 96 25 000 fax: 00353 (0) 96 25 252 email: info@rsa.ie website: www.rsa.ie

Contents

Introduction �

DirectAccess �

DirectAccess(Graph) �

DirectAccess(Graph) �

ProgressiveAccess �

ProgressiveAccess(Graph) �

ProgressiveAccess(Graph) �

Onthedayofyourmotorcycletest �

Duringyourmotorcycletest �

Oldtypepaperlicence �

Newtypeplasticlicence �

Ridingamotorcycle �

Lifelonglearning �

Post-Licencetraining �

Stayingsafe ��

BeingasafeMotorcyclist ��

Vulnerability ��

Control ��

Hazards ��

Attitude&Behaviour ��

SociallyResponsibleRiding ��

Drink/Drugs ��

SafeMotorcycle ��

P.O.W.D.E.R ��-��

F.I.G.S ��

SafeRiding �8-��

AreasidentifiedasbeingofhigherriskwhenridingaMotorcycle ��-��

PillionPassengers ��-��

LongerJourneys ��-��

Legalissues ��

FixedfinesandPenaltyPoints ��

Fatigue ��

Consequencesofroadcollisions ��

Table1(Statisticalinformationonfatalitiesandinjuries) �8

Thesceneofacrash ��

Eco-Riding ��Summary ��

Initial Basic Training

Mandatorytrainingformotorcyclistshasbeenintroducedtohelpbuildtheknowledge

understandingandskillsrequiredtobecomeasafemotorcyclist.Thetrainingisaimedatthose

takingtotheroadonamotorcycleforthefirsttime,andwilldevelopthestudents’overall

ability,andhelppreparethemfortheirpracticaldrivingtest.

1

This Is Your BikeAguidetopost-trainingandsafemotorcycling

Introduction Thisbookletaimstoprovideyouwithadviceandinformationontakingtotheroadon

twowheels.Itwillbrieflycoverthedifferentroutesforobtainingafulllicenceandthe

trainingrequiredateachstage.Itwillalsocoverthetrainingavailableforthosewho

alreadyholdafulllicenceorthosereturningtobikingafteralongabsence.

Asmillionsoftrainedmotorcyclistsaroundtheworldproveeveryday,bikingcanbea

fun,safeandsatisfyingactivity.Propertrainingandgoodhabitswillhelptokeepyou

andyourpassengersafe.

Allroadusersincludingpedestriansbehavedifferentlyontheroad,sometimesin

unpredictableways.Thispresentsamajorchallengeforanyoneusingamotorcycle.

Onlyifyouaresafeinwhatyoudoonyourmotorcyclecanyouhopetoovercomethe

challengespresentedbytheactionsofotherroadusersand

theenvironmentinwhichyourideyourmotorcycle.

Forthosereturningtobikingafteralongabsenceorforthosewhoarealreadyqualified

motorcyclistsandlookingtoenhancetheirskilllevels,thereisnowastructured,

mandatorytrainingsystem,InitialBasicTraining(IBT).IBTcatersprimarilyfornovice

motorcycliststakingupbikingforthefirsttime.IBTcoursescanbetailoredforthosewith

moreexperience(qualifiedmotorcyclists)usingtheprovenstructureswithinthe

IBTsyllabus.

FormoreinformationontheIBTsyllabus,visitwww.rsa.ie.

2

Onthe19thofJanuary2013theRoadSafetyAuthority(RSA)introduced

newprocessesforobtainingamotorcyclelicence.Therearenowtwo

optionsforthosewhowanttoobtainamotorcyclelicence:‘Direct

Access’and‘ProgressiveAccess’.

Whatis“DirectAccess”?

Direct Access

Directaccessisthetrainingoptionforanyonewhohasnotpreviouslyheldanymotorcycle

‘learnerpermit’.Directaccessisavailableinallmotorcyclecategories,AM,A1,A2orA.

Note:

Choosingamotorcyclecategorywilldependonyourageandrequirements.

Onceyouhavechosenthetypeofmotorcycleyouwouldliketorideyouwillneedto:

• Sit and pass a theory test (if not already completed)

• Apply for and obtain a learner permit in the relevant category

• Take the required IBT on the appropriate motorcycle

• Pass a driving test (after holding a learner permit for six months)

Direct Access

3

Thefollowingchartshowsthestepsinvolvedinobtainingeithera

learnerpermitordrivinglicenceineachcategory:

Age16

•Theorytest(ifnotalreadycompleted)

•ApplyforaLearnerPermit•InitialBasicTrainingModules1-4(16hrs)•DrivingTest(after6months)

•Age16

•Theorytest(ifnotalreadycompleted)•ApplyforLearnerPermit•InitialBasicTrainingModules1-4(16hrs)

•DrivingTest(after6months)

Category

AMCategory

A1

ObtainCat.AMfulllicence ObtainCat.A1

fulllicence

NOTE:thechartabovesetsoutthevarious‘DirectAccess’optionsforeachcategoryofaMotorcycleLicence.Theseexamplesassumethattheholderhasnotpreviouslyheldamotorcyclelicence.Thechartonthenextpagesetsoutthevarious‘progressiveaccess’optionsforthosethatmayhavepreviouslyheldamotorcycleLicenceineitherA1,orA2.

Age16

ProcessofobtainingamotorcycledrivinglicencethroughDirect Access

4

Thefollowingchartshowsthestepsinvolvedinobtainingeithera

learnerpermitordrivinglicenceineachcategory:

Age16

•Age24

•Theorytest(ifnotalreadycompleted)•ApplyforLearnerPermitinCategoryA•InitialBasicTrainingModules1,3&5

•DrivingTest(after6months)

Category

A2Category

A

ObtainCat.A2fulllicence

ObtainCat.Afulllicence

Age16

•Age18

•Theorytest(ifnotalreadycompleted)•ApplyforLearnerPermit•InitialBasicTrainingModules1,3and5inclusiveonA2bike.IfalreadycompletedforAMorA1doprogressionmodule5IBTonA2machine.

•PassdrivingTest(after6months)

www.rsa.ie/RSA/Learner-Drivers/New-Driver-Licensing-Rules-from-january-2013/foralistoffrequentlyaskedquestions.

ProcessofobtainingamotorcycledrivinglicencethroughDirect Access

Progressive Access

WhatifIwanttorideabiggermotorcycle?

What is “Progressive Access”?

Progressive Access

ProgressiveAccessisatrainingoption

formotorcyclistswhowishtoobtaina

licenceforahigherpoweredmotorcycle.

Theprogressiveaccessrouteisavailable

tothosemotorcyclistswhohavehelda

motorcyclelicenceinalowercategory

(smallermachine)foraperiodofatleast

twoyearsandwhonowwishtoprogress

toahigherpoweredmachine.Progressive

accessrecognisesthemotorcyclists’prior

trainingandexperiencegainedonthe

lowerpoweredmotorcycle,andallowsthe

motorcyclisttoprogresswithoutneeding

toretakeadrivingtest.Progressiveaccess

isavailablewhenmovingupfromcategory,

‘A1’to‘A2’orwhenmovingupfrom

category‘A2’to‘A’.

5

Note: Progressiveaccessisnotavailablebetween

category‘AM’and‘A1’.Theprogressive

accessrouteavailablewilldependon

yourageandpreviouspermit/licence

entitlement.Ifthefulllicenceheldforthe

lowerCategoryislimitedtoautomatics

(Code78)thenitisonlypossibleto

undertaketheIBTtrainingonanautomatic

bikeinthehigherCategoryinordertotake

theProgressiveAccessroute.

6

Thefollowingchartshowsthestepsinvolvedinobtainingadriving

licenceinahighercategorybymeansofprogressiveaccess:

ProcessofobtainingamotorcycledrivinglicencethroughDirect Access

1. IfyouchoosetoundergoandpassthepracticaldrivingtestonaCategory A2 typemotorcycleandlateronyouchoosetoprogresstoaCategory Atypemotorcycle(havingheldyourCategory A2 drivinglicencefor2 years).YoumayproceedwithouttheneedtoundergoapracticaldrivingtestonaCategory Atypemotorcycle.

2. IfyouhadnottakenandpassedapracticaldrivingtesttoobtainyourCategory A2drivinglicence(thatis,youobtaineditbyundergoingaprogressionmodule)youmaynotprogressonwithoutpassingapracticaldrivingtestforaCategory A type drivinglicence.InordertoprogresstoaCategory A,youmustholdyourCategory A2 typedrivinglicenceforatleasttwoyears,undergotheprogressionmodule(module5)andpassapracticaldrivingtestontheCategory Atypemotorcycle.

Notes • Ifyouareaged24yrsoroveryoumayoptfortheCategory A ‘DirectAccess’routewithouttheneedtoobtainaCategory A2drivinglicenceandwaitthetwoyears.

Progressionfrom A1 to A2

In all cases:•MinAge:18yrs

•ApplyforlearnerPermitinCategory A2afterholdingafullCategory A1drivinglicenceforaminimumoftwoyears.

•CompleteProgressionModule(Module5)onanA2 typemotorcycle(11hrs)

•HavingcompletedModule 5youmaythenobtainyourfullCategoryA2typedrivingLicence.AlternativelyyoumaychoosetoundergoandpassapracticaldrivingtestinCategory A2whichleavesyouwiththeoptionssetoutbelow;

Options

Visitwww.rsa.ie/RSA/Learner-Drivers/new-Driver-Licensing-Rules-from-January-2013/foralistoffrequentlyaskedquestions.

1.IfyouobtainedyourCategory A2drivinglicencebypassingyourpracticaldrivingtestbetweenCategories A1 andA2youmaythenapplyforyourCategory Adrivinglicencewithouttheneedtoundergoafurtherpracticaldrivingtest.

2.IfyouobtainedyourCategory A2drivinglicencecompletingtheprogressionmodulefromA1 toA2youmustthenapplyforandpassapracticaldrivingtestforyourCategory Adrivinglicence.

Notes• Ifyouareaged24yrsoroveryoumayoptfortheCategory AdirectAccessroute,

withouttheneedtoobtainaCategory A2drivinglicenceandwaittherequired twoyears.

Progressionfrom A2 to A

In all cases:•MinAge:20yrs

•ApplyforlearnerPermitin Category A

•CompleteProgressionModule(Module5)onanAtypemotorcycle(11hrs)

•MusthaveheldaCategory A2drivnglicenceforaminimumof2years.(Orbeatleast24yearsofageandoptforDirectAccesstoCategory A.

Options

Thefollowingchartshowsthestepsinvolvedinobtainingadriving

licenceinahighercategorybymeansofprogressiveaccess:

Note: Further information is available on Direct and Progressive access options and driving licence rules see the RSA website www.rsa.ie

ProcessofobtainingamotorcycledrivinglicencethroughDirect Access

Theabovenotessetoutoptinosforprogressionforthosewhohavepreviouslyheldtherelevantcategoryoffulldrivinglicencefortherequiredlengthoftime.IfyoursituationisnotsetoutabovepleasecontactyourlocalIBTtrainerortheRoadSafetyAuthority(Tel:09625000)forfurtherinfromation.

7

8

Onceyouhaveselectedthebestoptionfor

you–DirectAccessorProgressiveAccess,

youcanthenobtainyourlearnerpermitand

completetherequiredIBTtraining.

Thenextstepisyourdrivingtest.Thedriving

testcanbeastressfulexperienceforsome,

andsoitisimportanttofamiliariseyourself

withtherequirementsofthedrivingtestand

howyoucanbebestpreparedforthetest.

Forfurtherinformationaboutthedayofyour

drivingtest,visitwww.rsa.ie.

On the day of your motorcycle test

Durning your motorcycle test

Ifyouhavebeenaqualifiedmotorcyclistfor

aperiodoftime,returningtobikingaftera

longabsence,orifyouhavejustpassedyour

test,youneedtobeawarethatthereare

twotypesofdrivinglicenceinuse:thepaper

licence,andthenewerplasticcardlicences.

Youneedtoensureyourlicencecoversyou

correctlyforthetypeofmotorcyclethat

youarecurrentlyriding.Thisisparticularly

importantbecauseofthenewCategory‘A2’

(20-35kW)licenceandthenewCategory‘A’

(over35kW)unrestrictedlicence.

Old type paper licence

Newtype

New type plastic licence

ForfurtherinformationonLicencesvisitwww.rsa.ie.

So you have passed your test or have already been a full licence holder.

Learning continues throughout our lives.

You don’t stop learning the day you leave

school. In any walk of life you benefit from

further training and assessment of the

skills you have learned.

Lifelong learning

LifelongLearningistheongoing,

voluntary,andself-motivatedpursuitof

knowledge.Learningisnotsomething

thatonlytakesplaceinschool,itcanalso

applytootherareasinourlives.When

wehavelearnedtorideamotorcycleand

havepassedadrivingtest,weareonlyat

thebeginningoflearningandbuildingour

skillsandknowledge.Itistheknowledge

thatwewillgainthroughexperienceand

timethatwillhelpusbesaferoadusers.

Forthosemoreexperiencedmotorcyclists

whoholdafulllicence,itisrecommended

thatthelearningprocessshouldcontinue.

Ongoingeducationisveryimportant

inthedevelopmentofthecompetent

motorcyclist.Post-licensetrainingwithan

approvedmotorcycletrainerisanecessary

partoflifelonglearning.

Post-license training may include

• Ridinginadverseweatherconditions

(beingabletodetermineifthe

journeyisabsolutelynecessary)

• Ridingwithapillionpassenger

• Groupriding(beabletotakeinto

accounttheneedsandabilitiesof

othermotorcyclists)

• Ridingatnight

• Thedifferentforcesatwork

(centrifugal)andtheeffectsthatthis

hasontraction

• Safeovertakingtechniquesincluding

motorwayriding

• Safecorneringtechniquesand

countersteering

• Lowerandhigherspeedcornering

(bends)

• Trackdayevents

• Offroadriding

9

10

What do I need to do to stay safe? “With power comes responsibility”

Itisundeniablethatmotorcyclists,who

accountforabout2%ofroadusers,

makeupadisproportionatenumberof

roadcrashesandsadlyalsofatalities.

(Approximately12%)

Youhavethepowerandultimatelythe

responsibilitytodeterminewhetheryou

becomeastatisticorasafeMotorcyclist.

Thepowerisinyourhandstoeitherallow

yournewlyacquiredskill,provenbytaking

thedrivingtest,togrowanddevelopinto

anenjoyablepursuitortostagnatewhich

couldendupcausingyouandyourfamily

greatpainandsuffering.

Therewillcomeatimeinyourriding

experiencethatwilltestyourskill.Thisisa

caseof‘when’andnot‘if’.

Inthecaseofanaccident,itisnohelpto

youoryourfellowroaduserstohavebeen

“intheright”ifyouaredealingwithan

insuranceclaim,areinjured,orworse.

So:

Tolivealongahappylifeasamotorcyclist

meansyoumustbeprepared.

Toremainsafe,motorcyclistsmust

• Beasafemotorcyclist

• Beasociallyresponsiblemotorcyclist

• Maintainasafemotorcycle

• Planasafejourney

• Embraceandengageinlifelong

learning

Motorcyclists,especiallynovice

motorcyclistsandthosereturningto

biking,haveanincreasedriskofbeing

involvedinfatalcrashesandcollisions

whencomparedtootherroadusers.

Motorcycletraining(pre-andpost-driving

test)helpstoreducethenumbersof

collisionsandfatalitiesonourroads.

In recent years (before it was compulsory),

over 50% of experienced motorcyclists

acknowledged this and on their own

initiative undergone training - before or

after taking the Driving Test.

(source; MAG survey)

Being a Safe Motorcyclist

Thereareanumberofissueswhich

contributetobeingasafemotorcyclist:

• Understandingtheimportanceof

havinggoodmentalattitude

• Choosingandwearingsuitable

PersonalProtectiveEquipment(PPE)

• Themotorcyclistshouldbefamiliar

withthemotorcyclebeingused

(primaryandsecondarycontrols)–

ABSnonABSetc.

• Hasthemotorcyclistbeencorrectly

trainedorbuiltupthenecessary

experienceforthemotorcyclethey

areriding

Vulnerability

Youhavelessstabilityandcrashprotection

onabikethaninacar

Thesedisadvantagesareslightly

offsetbyhavingbettervisibilityand

maneuverabilityonabike.

2outof3(66%)motorcyclecrashes

involvesacar

Thisisnotsurprisingas9outof10(86%)of

allcrashesinvolvecars.

20motorcyclistsareinvolvedincollisions

onIrishroadseachweekwhichresultin

injuryordeath.

Itreallydoesn’tmatterwhoisatfault

wheninvolvedinanaccident,the

motorcyclistwillmorethanlikelysuffer

worstinacollisionwithanothervehicle.

So,howcanweaddressourvulnerability

inrelationtootherroadusers?

11

12

Allmotorcyclistsneedtoaskthefollowing

questions:

AmIincontrol……..….of myself?

DoIconcentratewhenIamonthe

bike,observeallaroundandanticipate

theactionsofothers?DoIrefrainfrom

ridingifIhaveconsumedalcoholorIam

takingmedicationthatcouldimpairmy

performance?Ismygearappropriate

fortheweatherconditionsandpersonal

protection?

AmIincontrol........….of the bike?

Isthemachineproperlymaintainedand

roadworthy?HaveItakenatraining

coursetodeveloptheskillsneededto

handleamotorcycleinasafeandsocially

responsiblemannerontheroad?

AmIincontrol........….of my immediate

surroundings?

AmIawareofthedangersposedbythe

actionsofothers,variationsintheroad

surfaceandweatherconditions?

Do I know how to deal with hazards?

HaveIbeentrainedtorecognize,assess

andmanagehazards?

HowwillIknowwhatisahazard?

Ahazardcanbedefinedasanythingthat

containsactualorpotentialdangertoyou,

suchas:

• Physicalfeaturessuchasjunctions,

hillcrests,roundabouts,bends,etc.

• Risksarisingfromthemovementand

positionofotherroadusers

• Problemsarisingfromvariationsin

roadsurface,weatherconditionsand

visibility

Attitude & Behaviour

Goodorappropriateattitudeinthecontext

ofridingamotorcyclemeansrecognising

theresponsibilitiesyouhavetoyourself

andothersandtakingthemseriously.

Yourattitudetowardsridingyour

motorcycleisabsolutelycriticalin

determiningthelikelihoodofyouhaving

acrash.

Control

Motorcyclesarenotinherentlydangerous.

Youarethedeterminingfactorthatmakes

itso–ornot,dependingonyour attitude

Responsibilitytoyourself

Doyouunderstandtheimportanceof

beingrespectfultootherroadusers?

Areyouintheproperframeofmindto

undertakethejourney?

Doyouknowhowtoavoidgettinginto

conflictwithotherroadusers,evenifthey

areinthewrong?

Responsibilitytoyourfamily

Everytimeyougooutonyourbikeyour

ultimateaimistoreturnhomesafely.

Apartfromthefactthattheremaybe

peoplewhoaresociallyandfinancially

dependentonyou,themannerinwhich

youridemaycauseunnecessarystress

andanxietytothoseclosetoyou.Taking

apropertrainingcourseanddeveloping

asafeandsociallyresponsibleattitude

toyourbikingwillhelpalleviatesomeof

theseconcerns

Responsibilitytopillions

Itisatragicfactthatpillionpassengers

accountforadisproportionatelyhigh

numberofmotorcyclefatalitiesand

seriousinjurieseachyear.Ifyoucarrya

pillion,areyoulegallyentitledtodoso?

Doyouensuretheirgearoffersadequate

protection?Doyoubriefthembefore

therideandshowconsiderationtothem

duringtheride?

Responsibilitytootherroadusers

DoyouknowtheRulesoftheRoad?

Canyouformanaccurateassessment

ofwhataresafe,legalandconsiderate

actionsonamotorcycle?Whentaking

upanyactivityitisimportanttolearn

therulesandfindoutwhatisacceptable

andunacceptablebehaviourinrelation

toothers.Motorcyclingisfundamentally

differentfrommostotheractivitiesinthat

yourlifedependsonknowingtherules.

Attemptingtousethefullpotentialofa

powerfulmachineontoday’scrowded

roadsisstupid,selfish,irresponsibleand

dangerous.Amotorcyclewithpowerful

performancecapabilitywillrequirea

greaterlevelofresponsibilitywhen

decidingtousetheextrapower.

SociallyResponsibleRiding

Allroadusersneedtounderstandthat

wehaveacollectiveresponsibilityto

eachotherwhensharingtheroad,

especiallywhenridingamotorcycle.

Ridingamotorcycleordrivingacaris

notsomethingthatwedoinisolationof

everythingelsethatishappeningaround

us.Agoodunderstandingofthesocial

13

14

skills(attitudeandbehaviour)requiredby

allroaduserswillhelptodevelopaproper

safetyfirstattitude.

Whenridingamotorcycletherearemany

factorsthataffectthelevelofriskyou

maybeexposedto.Asroadusers,weall

needtounderstandourownlimitations

andabilities,whichinturncanaffect

ourbehavior,especiallywhenridinga

motorcycle.

Sowhatmakesabetter,safer,socially

responsiblemotorcyclist?Itcanbea

combinationofthingssuchas:

Intellect:applyingagoodlevelof

reasoningandunderstandingespeciallyin

relationtoridingsafely

Attitude:havingapositiveattitude

towardsyourfellowroadusers

Emotions:notallowingemotionsto

interferewhenridingamotorcycleor

allowinganysituationtoleadyouinto

doingsomethingoutofcharacter

Actions:whenemotionstakeoverthey

canleadtoinappropriateactions(actsof

aggressionforexample

Thepreviouslymentionedpointscanhelp

ustoremainagoodsafemotorcyclist

withahealthyrespectforourfellowroad

users.Therearehoweverotherinfluences

thatcancontributetobeinganunsafe

motorcyclistandhaveanimpactonothers.

For example:

Drivingundertheinfluenceofdrink,drugs

andmedicine

• Understandtheeffectsthatriding

undertheinfluenceofalcohol,

drugsormedicinescanhaveonsafe

judgmentsthatmayaffectothers

• Understandthelegallimits

• Understandtheconsequencesof

penaltypointsaccruingonyour

license

• (Seesectionon‘LegalIssues’.)

You may now be thinking there’s a lot

to take in and implement each time you

ride your motorcycle – but it is very easily

achieved on a structured training course

with a qualified trainer that will show

you the way to recognise and refine your

knowledge and skills.

15

Safe Motorcycle

Whenpurchasingamotorcycle,youare

investingalotofmoneyinsomethingyou

wanttolastalongtimeandbe‘fitfor

purpose’.Ifitwereanythingelse–froma

suitofclothestoanewkitchen,youwould

expectittofit.Soyourmotorcycleshouldbe

thesame.

Whenchoosingtobuyamotorcycleitis

importanttoensurethatitissuitableforthe

motorcyclistinrelationto,height,weight

andpoweroutput.Ifthemotorcycleisan

oldermodel,doesitrequireanengineer

report?Doesthelicenceentitlementcover

thepoweroutputofthemotorcycle?Isthe

motorcyclemaintainedtomanufactures

recommendations.Regularmaintenanceand

preventativecarewillgoalongwaytokeep

amotorcyclistsafeandshouldalsohelp

ensuretroublefreeriding.

Haveyoureadtheownershandbookfor

yourbike?

Asthemotorcyclistyouareresponsible

forensuringthatthemotorcycleyouare

ridingissafetouseonthepublicroadand

thatitmeetsallthelegalrequirements.

Checkthemotorcycleoverbeforethestart

ofeveryjourneyusingasystemorroutine

tohelprememberwhatdailychecks

shouldbecarriedout.

Theuseofamnemonicoracronymcan

helpwhenperformingroutinesafety

checkschecks.

P.O.W.D.E.R

Petrol,Oil,Water,Damage,Electricsand

Rubber

Petrol-makesureyouhaveenoughfuel

forthejourney.Doesyourmachinehavea

reservetankswitchorjustawarninglight?

Canyouturnthefueltaptoreservewhile

onthemove,withouttakingyoureyesoff

theroad?Doyouknowwherethetapis?

Oil-Howdoyouchecktheoillevelonyour

machine?Mostdrysumpmachinesrequire

youtochecktheoilwhentheengine

ishot,whilemostwetsumpmachines

shouldhavetheiroillevelcheckedwith

theenginecold.

16

Whichtypeisyours?Theowner’s

handbookwilltellyouhowtoperform

thischeckcorrectly.Isyourmachinea

twostrokeorafourstroke?Onatwo

strokemachinethetwostrokeoilshould

becheckedeverytimeyoufillupwith

petrol,andonafour-strokemachinethe

procedureforcheckingtheoillevelvaries.

Isitdipstickorsightglass?Shoulditbe

checkedonahotorcoldengine?Having

thisknowledgeaboutyourmachineis

incrediblyimportant.Withoutit,youmay

belookingatamajorrepairbillforengine

seizureand/orcrashdamage.

Water-Howdoyoucheckthecoolant

level?Whereisthefillercap?Opening

theradiatorcapwhentheengineishot

isinvitingtheriskofseriousscalding,so

ensureitiscoolbeforeremoving.Isyour

machinewateroraircooled?

Damage-Checkthebikeforsignsof

obviousdamage.Aretheextremitiesof

themachinescuffed,suchasindicators,

bar-endweightsandlevers?Arethelight

lensesormirrorscrackedorbroken?

Noticeablebucklesintherims?Any

dripsorpoolsunderthebike?Checkfor

damagetothetyrewallsandrim.Your

machinecouldhavebeenknockedover

whileunattendedoritcouldhavebeen

borrowedduringthedaywithoutyour

knowledge.

Electrics-Areyousureallyourlightsand

signalsarecleanandworking?Don’twait

untilyouneedtouseyourhorntodiscover

itisfaulty,alwayscheckyoursignals

beforeajourney.Isyourfaultybrakelight

invitingarearendshunt?Doyouknow

wherethefusesareandcanyoureplace

them?Doyoucarryreplacementbulbs?

Rubber–Yourtyresformacontactpatch

withtheroadnobiggerthanthepalm

ofyourhandandarethusanessential

componentofmotorcyclesafety.

Thatcontactis(literally)allthatstands

betweenyouandthetarmac!

17

Toomuchairinyourtyresreducesgripby

makingthetyrestandproudoftheroad

surface.Toolittleairpromotesinstability

becauseitallowsthesidewallsofthe

tyrestoflex.Doyouknowwhatyourtyre

pressuresareandthelegalminimumtread

depth?Ifyouareunsure,studytherules

oftheroad.Rememberifyouaregoingto

pullanailoutofoneofyourtyres,doit

outsideaMotorcyclerepairshopsoyour

puncturecanbefixedonthespot.There

areotherpartsofthemotorcyclewhere

rubbercoveredcomponentsmayneed

inspectionandattentionfromtimeto

time,handlebargrips,footpegsandbrake

hoseswhichwouldneedtobecheckedfor

cracksand/orleakageoffluid.

Anacronymcanalsobeusedwhenmaking

finalcheckspriortostartup.

F.I.G.S. Fuel,Ignition,GearsandStart;

Fuel-Checkyouhaveenoughfuelto

undertakethejourneyplanned.Ifafuel

tapisfittedtothemachine,doesthe

motorcyclistunderstandthedifferent

positions(on,reserveandoffetc.)?Ona

twostrokemachineistheoil/fuelmixture

correct?

Ignition-Isthereanimmobiliseroran

alarmfittedtothemotorcycle?When

ignitionisswitchedtoits‘on’position,

(1stposition)arealltherelevantignition

lightsoperating?Somemotorcycleshavea

builtinself-diagnosissystem.Thespeedo

andrevcounterneedleswillrotateall

thewaytotherightandreturntotheir

standardposition;thiswillnormally

indicatethatalliso.k.Doesyourmachine

havethistypeofsystem?Isthemotorcycle

electricorkickstart?Understandthe

importanceofshuttingofftheignitionnot

theemergencycutoffswitch(redswitch).

Gears-Ensurethemotorcycleisinneutral.

Evenifthegreenneutrallightisshowing,

knowinghowtocheckforafalseneutralis

important.

Start-Havingcoveredthedifferent

proceduresaboveitshouldnowbesafe

tostartthemotorcycle.Itisimportant

toalwaysremembertoretractstands,

especiallysidestands.Mostmodern

motorcyclesarefittedwithaswitchthat

shutsdowntheengineifgearisengaged

whilethesidestandisdown.

Finally,youmustensurethemaintenance

scheduleforyourmachineisadheredto.If

youcannotdoityourselfgetaprofessional

todoitorshowyouhow.Forinstance,

abadlymaintainedchainmaysnapor

18

jumpofforincorrectlevelsoffluidinthe

finaldriveofashaftdrivenmotorcycle

couldleadtoaseriouscollision.Ifthe

motorcyclistisunsurehowtocarryout

thistypeofcheck,thentheyshouldrefer

themotorcycletoasuitablyqualified

competentpersonsuchasamaindealer.

Thesystemdescribed(P.O.W.D.E.R.or

F.I.G.S.)canhelpensurethatnothingisleft

outwhencarryingoutfinalchecksorpre

startupchecks.

Safe Motorcyclist, Safe Motorcycle - now Safe riding!

Nowyouarefamiliarwithkeepingboth

youandyourmachinesafe,youcanbegin

tolearntheelementsofdefensiveriding,

whichareto:

• Look

• Anticipate

• Plan

• Executesafely(tofollowthrough

ontheplan)

Byconsistentlyapplyingtheseelements

androutinesinyoureverydayridingyou

willbedemonstratingdefensiveriding

skills.

Hazardmanagementskills

Everymotorcyclistmusthavethe

knowledgeunderstandingandskillsto

anticipateandreacttoallimminentor

potentialdangers.Amotorcyclistmustbe

abletomanageallhazardsandrisksina

varietyoftrafficsituations.Thisincludes

roadswithvariablespeedlimits,complex

junctionsandlayouts,ridinginbusybuilt

upurbanareas.Anytimeyourideyour

bikeyoumustbeconfidentthattheroad

spaceyouoccupyissafeandthattheroad

spaceyouareabouttoenterisalsosafe.

Thismayseemlikeatallorder,butallyou

havetoaskyourselfis;

DoIhavespaceandtimetodealwithan

emergency?

Iftheanswerisno,thenfindoutwhyvery

quickly!

Someofthereasonswhyyoudonot

haveenoughspaceandtimetodealwith

hazardsmayinclude

• Inappropriatespeedforthegrip

available

• Thecapabilitiesofthemachine

• Yourownabilities/overconfidence

• Thevolumeoftrafficatthattime

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Lackofawareness

• Understandthemovementand

positionofotherroadusers,theroad

surfaceandweatherconditions

• Canbedangerousforthemotorcyclist

whohashadlittleornotraining

inthedetection,assessment,

prioritisationandmanagementof

hazards

Lackofanticipation/concentration

• Notbeingabletopredictthepossible

futureactionsofothersorchanges

ontheroadlayoutandcondition

ahead.Thisrequireshighlevelsof

concentration,observationsand

forwardplanning

• Isthemotorcyclistdistracted,cold,

andwet,undertheinfluenceof

alcoholortakingmedication?Asa

motorcyclistareyoupayingenough

attention?

Lackofobservations

• Duetothenarrowprofileofa

motorcycle,amotorcyclistismore

vulnerableandlessvisiblethan

mostotherroadusers.Goodand

appropriateobservationscanreduce

theriskwhenridingamotorcycle.

Forwardplanning/observationsare

acrucialelementforthecompetent

motorcyclist.Amotorcyclistneedsto

bealertatalltimesontheapproach

tojunctions,entrancesandexits

frompremises,orinheavytraffic

congestion.Scanninginthedistance

willhelptobuildapictureofwhatis

developingupahead.Thiswillallow

themotorcyclistto,look,assessand

decidehowbesttodealwiththe

problembeingpresented.Theonly

thingsthatwecancontrolisourown

speedanddirection.Sincewecannot

controltheactionsofotherroadusers

wemustsafelymanageandpriortise

thehazardoussituationsthatthey

presentasourjourneyunfoldsahead

ofus.

• Crashstatisticsshowthatsome

aspectsofridingamotorcyclecarrya

higherriskthanothers.

• Studythepointsbelowandputthem

intoyourridingplan*.

*What is a Riding Plan?

• WhatcanIsee?

• WhatcanInotsee?

• Whatisreasonablylikelytodevelop?

20

Areas identified as being of higher risk when riding a Motorcycle

• Speed

• Bendsintheroad

• Overtaking

• Ridingatnight

• Groupriding

Speed

• Speedisthebiggestcontributing

factortoroaddeathsinIreland.Most

surveyscarriedoutinrecentyears

haveprovedthatspeedisatthetop

ofthelistforthoseinvolvedinserious

orfatalroadaccidents.Allmotorists

mustcomplywithspeedlimitsatall

times.Areyoufamiliarwiththespeed

limitsonthedifferenttypesofroads,

suchas?

• Motorways

• Nationalroads(Primaryand

Secondary)

• NonNationalroads(Regionaland

Local)

• Roadsinbuiltupareas,suchascities,

townsandboroughs

Thespeedatwhichsomeonecantravel

willbedeterminedbythespeedlimitsand

prevailingroadandtrafficconditions.

Bendsintheroad

Whatfactorsneedtobetakeninto

considerationwhenapproachingbends‘to

theleftandright’onamotorcycle?

Whatarethe;

• trafficconditions

• knownhazards

• potentialhazards

• conditionoftheroadsurface

• weatherconditions

• cambersoftheroad

Understand;

• Noteverybendisthesame.

• Whichdirectionisthebendgoing

(leftorright)andwhatposition

withinyourlaneneedstobetaken

onapproach

• Sharpnessofthebend

• Isitanopenorclosedbend

• Whatspeedisbeingcarriedon

approachtobend

• Howtoadjustspeedbeforethebend

(brakingandgearingdown)

• Theimportanceofavoidingbrakingin

abendifpossible.Ifitisnecessaryto

brakeinabend,especiallyifbanked

over,thenusetherearbrakeonly

(avoidusingthefrontbrake)

21

• Donotaccelerateordeceleratewhile

inthebend(thiscaninterferewith

thestabilityandbalanceofthebike)

• Whencomingoutofthebendand

returningtoanuprightpositionona

clearroadthepowercanbeincreased

inasmoothandgradualmanner

Overallsafecorneringcomesdownto;

gatheringInformationonapproachto

thebend,takingupthecorrectposition,

adjustingspeedasappropriate,selecting

thecorrectgear,acceleratingsmoothlyout

ofthebend.

Iftheincorrectpositionandspeedis

carriedintoabendthenthelawsof

physicswilltakeover!Regardlessofhow

skilledyouareyouwillnotwinabattle

againstthelawsofphysics.

Overtaking

Whatfactorsneedtobetakeninto

considerationwhenovertaking‘vehiclesor

objects’onamotorcycle?

• Askyourselffirstly-isitnecessary?

• Scanning:Identifythevehicleahead

anddecideifyouneedtoadjustyour

speedonapproach

• Takeeverypossiblesteptoensure

thatthedriverofthevehicleyou

intendtoovertakeisawareofyour

presence

• Areyoupermittedtoovertakeatthis

particularpointontheroad(isit

legal)?

• Arethereanyjunctions,entrancesor

drivewaysupahead

• Makesurethatyouhaveaclear

opportunitytoovertake

• Checkforoncomingtraffic

• Checktoseeifthereisenoughroom

aheadofthevehicletocompletethe

overtakemanoeuvreandreturnsafely

tothenormalridingposition

• Havingestablishedthatallaheadis

inorderitiscriticaltobeawareof

presenceandspeedoftrafficbehind

you

• Justbeforeexecutingthemanoeuvre

itiscriticaltoapplytheappropriate

(OSM-PSL)routines

• Takeupasafepositionforovertaking

• Adjustspeedsmoothlyand

progressively

• Correctgearselectedforovertake

• Executethemanoeuvre

• Taketheappropriateobservations

whenreturningtonormallane

position(clearancefortheother

vehicle)

RidingatNight

Whetheryourideatnightbychoice,

oryouhavetocontinueridingat

nightinordertocompleteajourney,a

22

numberoffactorsneedtobetakeninto

consideration.Visionisanimportant

factorwhenridingatnight.Itcanbemore

difficulttodrivesafelyontheroadifyour

visionisimpaired.Itcanbeextremely

difficulttoseeobstaclesandhazardsat

night.Itisaprovenfactthatthehuman

eyetakesanumberofminutestoadjustto

changesinlightlevels(dawntodusk)or

whenexitingatunnelforexample.There

aresomeprecautionsthatcanbetaken

toassistamotorcyclistwhenmeetingon-

comingtrafficatnight.

• Useonlyclearvisororglasses(not

tinted)ensuringthattheyareclean

andfreeofscratches

• Ifawindshield/screenisfittedtothe

motorcycleensurethatitiscleanand

freeofscratches

• Ensurethatalllightsareinworking

orderandcorrectlyaligned(including

foglightsiffitted)

• Ensurethatallswitchgearisin

workingorder(dipped/highbeam)

• Avoidlookingatbrightlightsand

beingdistracted.Ifanapproaching

vehicleisblindingyou,slowdown

andtryandavertyoureyesbylooking

towardstheedgeoftheroadand

awayfromtheoncominglights.If

stillbeingblindedthenslowdown

significantly,andifnecessaryfinda

safeplacetopullinandstop

• Alwaysridewithintheareathat

youcanseetobeclear(withinthe

coverageofyourheadlightbeam).

Otherwisethebrakingdistance,which

isbasedonspeed,reactiontimeand

theroadconditions,willexceedthe

distanceyoucanseeahead

• Whenfollowinganothervehicle,

alwaysdipyourheadlights

• Gatherinformationfromotherroad

users.Lookingatthemovementof

othertrafficupaheadcanhelpto

establishifthevehicleisgoinginto

abend(leftorright)ortheirbrake

lightscouldalertyoutothesharpness

ofthebend

• Ridingatnightputsaparticularstrain

ontheeyeswhichinturncanlead

tofatigue.Ifyouareexperiencing

difficultyinstayingfocused,orif

tirednessisaffectingyourlevelsof

concentration,thenyouarebecoming

23

adangertoyourselfandotherroad

users.Youshouldfindsomewhere

safetopullinandstop,havesome

coffee,andonlycontinuethejourney

ifyouarealertenoughtodoso.

Groupriding

Ingeneralmotorcyclingisasoloactivity.

Itcanbeveryenjoyabletotakeout

yourmotorcycleonasummer’sevening

andheadoutforaspin.Formany

motorcyclists,‘whenthevisorisclosed,’

itisanopportunitytoshutofffromother

thingsintheirlife.Thistypeofridingcan

leadtothemotorcyclistridinginisolation

ofotherroadusers.

Ridinginagrouptakesonadifferent

dynamicfordifferentmotorcyclists.You

willhavethosewhojustliketobeinthe

companyofothermotorcyclists.Youmay

havethosewhowishtodemonstratetheir

trackskillsonthepublicroad(the‘show

off’).Withinanygroupofmotorcyclists

thereareboundtobevaryinglevelsof

skill,understandingandexperience.

Herearesomeusefultipstoremember

beforegettinginvolvedingroupriding.

• Ensureyouareasafeandcompetent

motorcyclistbeforeridinginagroup

• Knowandunderstandyourown

abilityandlimitations

• Thegroupleadershouldallowforthe

limitationsofvariousgroupmembers

andsetasafecomfortablepacefor

otherstofollow

• Nevertrytokeepuptothesamepace

asamoreseasonedmotorcyclist

• Neverbepressuredintoridingoutside

yourcomfortzone

• Understandtheimportanceofriding

inacorrectformation(notinlinewith

thebackwheelofthemotorcyclistin

front)

• Alwaysleaveasafedistancebetween

yourselfandthemotorcyclistinfront

PillionPassengers

Itisthemotorcyclistwhoultimately

musttakeresponsibilityforanyoneriding

pillion.Don’tassumeyourpassenger

knowsanythingaboutthemotorcycleor

motorcycling.Taketimetoensureyour

passengerisawareofthe‘do’sanddon’ts’

beforeridingpilliononyourmotorcycle.

Pillionpassengersneedtobeproperly

protectedwhileridingonthebackofa

motorcycle.Itisthereforeimperative

thatthepillionpassengerwearsthe

appropriatepersonnelprotective

equipment(PPE)

24

It is arguable that given their disproportionate representation in motorcycle fatality figures, pillions deserve more protection than the motorcyclist.

Pillions can have a serious effect on the balance and stability of a motorcycle.

Theyaffect

• Balance(bychangingthecentreof

gravityofthemachine)

• Braking(theincreasedweightwill

increasestoppingdistance)

• Steering(thesteeringofthemachine

canbecomeunpredictablewitha

pillion)

• Acceleration(theextraweightwill

decreaseaccelerationperformance,

perhapscriticallyonasmaller

machineduringanovertaking

manoeuvre)

• Groundclearance(theextraweight

maycausethemachinetocomein

contactwiththeroad,startlingthe

motorcyclistandresultinginlossof

control

Mostimportantly,amotorcyclerelieson

balanceforstability.Ifapillionfidgets,

movesaboutorleanstheoppositewayto

thebikewhilecornering,itwouldcreate

ahazardthatmaybecomesoseverethe

motorcyclistcannotcompensate,resulting

inacrash.Doyouhaveenoughexperience

andconfidencetodealwiththepreviously

mentionedeffectsonyourmachinecaused

bycarryingapillion?Areyoulegally

entitledtocarryapillionpassenger?Are

youinsuredtocarryapillionpassenger?

Pillionsmustnot

• Moveaboutunnecessarily

• Puttheirfeetdownincornersor

whenthemachineisstationary

• Leanagainstthedirectionthe

machineisbankedtowards

• Mountordismountthemachine

withoutalertingthemotorcyclistof

theirintention

Themotorcyclistshouldensure

• Apillionpassengerwearsappropriate

clothing

• Theirhelmetissecurelyfastened

(legallythisisthemotorcyclist’s

responsibility)

• Theyholdontothemotorcyclistorto

agrabrailorsaddlestrap

• Theyleanwiththemachine

25

Longer Journeys

Soyou’vegottothepointwhereyou

wanttogofurther.Youwanttotakea

longjourney.Perhapsdoatouronyour

machine.Motorcyclingisquiteaphysical

activityaswellasmentallytiring.Like

anymuscle–theskillsneededtoperform

wellneedtobedevelopedwithpractice.A

weightlifterstartsoffwithlightweights

andthengoesontotheheavyones.Treat

yourlongdistanceridingthesame.

Start off small and work up to the big

distances.

Thereareanumberofissuestobetaken

intoconsiderationwhenplanningalonger

journey.

• Suitabilityofthemotorcycle.–Isit

capableofcarryingluggage-weather

protection(fairedorun-faired)–the

terraintobecoveredetc.

• Isthemotorcycleroadworthyandin

goodrunningordertotakeonthe

journey

• Isalldocumentationinorder-license-

insurance-taxetc.?

• Knowandunderstandtherulesand

regulationswhichmayapplyinother

jurisdictions(whenabroad)

• Routes–forexample,checkingifyou

haveplannedtherouteproperly

• Haveyoutakenintoaccountpossible

restrictionsorhazardsthatmaybe

encounteredonthejourney?

• Aretheroadstolled?(delayscan

becausedattollboothswerethe

motorcyclistisnotproperlyprepared

causinganunnecessaryhazard)

• Time–forexample,canthejourney

becoveredinareasonableamount

oftimewithoutridinganexcessive

amountofhoursoratexcessive

speed?

• Distance–forexample,checkingif

longdistancecanbereduced.Riding

longdistanceswithoutproperrestor

breakswillputthemotorcyclistatrisk

duetotiredness

• Weatherconditions–haveyoutaken

intoaccounttheprevailingweather

conditions

• Shouldroutesbealteredorchanged

duetopoorroadorweather

conditions

26

• Hasthemotorcyclisttheproper

weatherproofPPEtoundertakethe

journey(verycold/wetweathercan

effectconcentrationlevelsdrastically)

• Isthejourneynecessaryorcanitbe

rescheduledforanothertime

Legal issues

Itisimportantforeverymotorcyclisttobe

awareofthelawandtoconformtoall

legalrequirements.

Readthefollowingsectionnowandcheck

youarecompliant.

Youmustsatisfythefollowinglegal

requirementsbeforeridingyour

motorcycleontheroad.

• Youmustreadandunderstandthe

rulesoftheroad

• Youmustholdavalidlearnerpermit/

licenceforyourageandthetypeof

motorcyclebeingridden

• Youmustbeproperlyinsured

• Yourmotorcyclemustbetaxed

• *Youmustwearasecurelyfastened

helmet

• *Itisthemotorcyclist’sresponsibility

toensurethatthepillionalsowearsa

securelyfastenedhelmet

* The strap retention system;

Differentmakesandtypesofhelmetcome

withdifferent‘strapretentionsystems’

e.g.D-rings,ClipandBuckle,Quickrelease

etc.Whichevertypeofhelmetischosen

itisessentialtoensurethattheretention

strapsfittedtotheshellofthehelmet

havesometypeofrestrictionsystemto

preventthestrappullingthroughthe

bucklee.g.‘a stitched folded ridge across

the end of the strap’.Thedangerinnot

havingsucharestrictionsystemonthe

strapsisthatintheunfortunateeventof

anaccidentorcollisionthehelmetmay

offerlittleornoprotectionasthestrap

couldpotentiallypullthroughthebuckle

releasingthehelmetfromtheridershead

resultingindeathorseriousinjury.

Fixed fines and Penalty Points

Drivingundertheinfluence

27

• Ifthedriverisalearner,noviceor

professionaldrivertheyaretestedat

the20mglimit.Ifadriveristested

andtheyareabovethislimit,they

areservedwithanonthespotfixed

penaltynotice,receiveafineof€200

andthepersonwillbedisqualified

fromholdingadrivinglicencefora

periodof3months

• Ifthedriver(anycategory,any

vehicle)istestedatthe50mglimit

andtheyareoverthelimittheywill

beissuedanonthespotfixedpenalty

notice,receiveafineof€200and3

penaltypoints.Pointswillremainon

thelicencerecordforaperiodofthree

years,andanydriveraccumulating12

pointsinathreeyearperiodwillbe

disqualifiedfromdrivingforaperiod

of6months

Formoreinformationondrivingunderthe

influenceofdrink,drugsormedication

e-mailinfo@rsa.iewebsite.

Fatigue

Itisimportanttobeawareofand

understandthecausesoffatiguewhile

ridingamotorcycle.Duetoextreme

tiredness,adrivermayfallasleepwhilein

chargeofthemachine.Ridersmaybecome

tootiredtorideforanumberofreasons,

suchas,

• Nothavingenoughrestbeforehe

journey

• Prolongedexposuretoweather

• Prolongedexposuretonoise

• Spendingprolongedhoursriding

• Ridingatnight

Consequences of road collisions

Adoptingasociallyresponsibleattitude

whenridingmeanshavingaclear

understandingoftheseriouscostsof

fatalitiesandcollisions

Youmaywishtoconsiderthefollowing:

• Collisionscanhaveadevastating

effectonthefamilywhenalifeislost

• Seriouscostsareinvolvedifsomeone

isleftparalyzedafteracollision

• Therecanbesignificantmaterial

costsduetoproperty/vehicledamage

followingacollision

28

*Note: figures for 2016 and 2017 is provisional and subject to change. All figures include

pillion passengers.

Killed Seriously Injured

^2014 represents a break in the time series for serious injuries and is not comparable to

previous years for trends analysis.

Whilestatisticsmayseemlikecold

numbers,eachrepresentsaperson’slife.

Thistableclearlyshowsthedifferences/

variancesintheamountofinjuriesand

fatalitieswhencomparingwinterand

summermonths.

Thetimeperiodshowninthetablebelow(2010–2017)givesclearexamplesofthe

dangersinvolvedinseasonalriding.Asmotorcyclistsweneedtobefullyawarethat

ridingamotorcyclein‘Spring/Summer(MarchtoAugust)isaperiodofmuchhigherrisk

than‘Autumn/Winter(SeptembertoFebruary)andissomethingthatallmotorcyclists

needtotakeintoconsideration.Beingawareandunderstandingtherisksinvolved

willhelpgreatlyinreducingthesefigures(assetoutbelow)goingforwardsothat

whenwelookatnewfiguresforthesametimeperiodin2025weshouldseeamarked

improvement.

Newsbulletinsonradioandtelevision

frequentlysharethetragicstoriesofdeath

andinjuryonourroads.Whilewefeel

empathyforthosedirectlyaffectedweare

alsothankfulthatwehavebeenspared

suchpainandsuffering.Thefinancialcost

ofdeathorseriousinjurycanbemeasured

precisely.

Table. Motorcyclists killed and seriously injured by season 2009-2016

Season 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Spring/Summer 13 34 9 22 10 23 17 29 14 49 13 58 13 14

Autumn/Winter 2 3 0 2 3 2 3 3 0 2 1 7 0 0

Total 3 5 0 4 0 3 1 4 1 1 1 9 3 3

Fatalities & Injuries

29

Howeveritismuchmoredifficultto

measurethepersonallossofalimbora

lovedone.Wecannotmeasurethepain

causedtothefamilymembersandfriends

thatareleftbehind.

The scene of a crash

Ifyouarriveatthesceneofacrashorare

involvedinacollisionthegeneralsteps

thatshouldbetakenareasfollows:

• Ifyouareinvolvedinacollisionyou

muststop(itisanoffencenotto)

• Summonassistance–ambulance,

doctor,AnGardaSíochána,fire

brigadeasquicklyaspossible.Dial

(999or112)

• Providethemwithinformationabout

thesituation,exactlocation(number

ofvehiclesinvolvedandhowmany

areinjured)andanyotherspecific

information

• DoNOTattempttoremoveahelmet

fromamotorcyclistunlessyouhave

beentrainedtodososafely

• Givefirstaidifrequiredandyouare

competenttodoso

• Keepanyvictimswarm(coats,rugs

shouldbeplacedroundthem)

• DoNOTmoveacasualtyunlessthey

areinalifethreateningsituation

• DoNOTgiveacasualtyanythingto

drink

• DoNOTstayatthescene(unlessyou

weredirectlyinvolved)ifthereis

adequatecontrolandassistance

30

Eco-ridingencouragespeopletorideusing

principalswhichencourageroadsafety

andensuresavingsinfuelconsumption

andareductioninemissions.Eco-riding

focusesontheeffectsourmachinesmay

haveontheenvironmentandhowthis

affectsothers.

Avoidingnoisepollution

• Overrevvingtheengine-isitever

necessary?

• Fittingaftermarketexhaustsystems-

understandtheeffectsthatthiscan

haveonfueleconomyandnoise

• Usinghornsetc.,inabuiltup

residentialareas

Ecofriendlyriding

• Understandingthemethodsthatcan

beappliedforeco-ridingtechniques

includingtheeffectsthatmotorcycles

haveontheenvironment

• Avoidoveruseoflowergears

• Selectinganappropriatehighergear

willuselessfuel.

• Thiswillalsosaveyoumoney!

Weight/Loads

Understandtheeffectsofanoverloaded

motorcyclecanhaveontheenvironment.

• Excessiveorunnecessaryweight

willincreasetheamountofgear

changing,contributingtohigherfuel

consumption

Eco-Riding

31

Whetherreturningtobikingafteralong

absenceorasaqualifiedmotorcyclist

wishingtoenhanceyou’reridingskills.It

isimperativetostaysafe.Thiswillensure

thatyouhavemanyenjoyableyearsof

ridingaheadofyou.Understandingthe

principalsofsafeandsociallyresponsible

ridingassetoutinthisbookletwillhelp

youtoachievethisgoal.

Note:

Withincreasedlevelsofexperienceand

skill,seasonedmotorcyclistsmustguard

againstcomplacencyandavoidridingto

thelimitsoftheirskill.Rememberthat

onthepublicroadsyoumustridewithin

thelegalspeedlimitpayingparticular

attentiontotheprevailingroadandtraffic

conditions.

Remember: always expect the unexpected!

Summary

Design by Dave Curran Design. Print by McBrinn Printers. August, 2018

THIS IS YOUR BIKE A safety guide for you and your motorcycle or moped

Údarás Um Shábháilteacht Ar BhóithreRoad Safety Authority

Moy Valley Business Park, Primrose HillDublin Road, Ballina, Co. Mayo.locall: 1890 50 60 80 tel: 00353 (0) 96 25 000 fax: 00353 (0) 96 25 252 email: info@rsa.ie website: www.rsa.ie