State of UK Road - Dangers to Motorcyclists

A recent documentary shown on the BBC has brought up some very startling facts that sent ripples of anger through the biking community last week. The documentary screened on BBC 1 brought into question the state and the safety of the UK roads. This particular documentary wasn't focussing on speeding drivers or uninsured drivers but looked at the government failings in providing us with a well kept road network.

The documentary looked at multiple cases where a driver or rider was involved in an accident that could have been a direct result of poor road maintenance. The fact is that when you pay your road tax you expect to have the money put towards the upkeep of the roads you travel on. The problem is that a lot of local councils are under spending on road maintenance with more local councils claiming they need bigger government funding in order to up keep the roads.

The most frightening thing about the whole situation is that riders are actually loosing their lives due to the state of the roads. The recent trend to use patch work and banding on the roads is creating more hazards for the biking community, maybe somebody should inform Mr Blair that bikers pay road tax too. Is it to much to ask that bikers should be considered when repairs are being carried out on the road?

In closing, it is about time that the biking community took a stand because the government has been getting away with poor up keep of the roads for too long. With the increase in non-biker friendly repair you could find your self on the tarmac through no fault of your own facing a costly sports bike insurance claim, injury and in the worst case death.