We've all seen the government ads on the TV, where the guy pulls out on the biker and he hits the side of the car.
Right now a friend on mine is in hospital with a broken neck (he should make a full recovery). He is a good man, respected in the local motorcycling community, and a devoted father. He is there because a woman was driving the wrong way round a roundabout as a 'short cut'.
You won't be able to tell anything about me when I'm in my leathers. Well, my height and weight maybe. And that I like black leathers and sports bikes. But you can't tell what I think. What I feel.
19 of us are killed on average every day on British roads, and its usually because a car driver is doing something stupid.
Under our black leather shells we're human. I think our gear stops people realising that much. But if you pulled out on me you'd have to explain to my friends that there'd be no more nights out. No more me.
While 20 percent of passenger vehicle crashes result in injury or death, an astounding 80 percent of motorcycle crashes result in injury or death.
Imagine my girlfriend chewing her lip ring. Her big brown eyes welling up as a policeman explains there would be space in the double bed where I used to sleep. No more cuddling up in front of the TV. No more all-night hugs in the cold nights.
Only 2% of registered vehicles are motorcycles, yet they make up 11.3% of all motor vehicle deaths
In the advert, SMASH BANG DIE (probably) but what you don't see is his face. There's no recognition that he is someone's son. Father. Brother. Friend. Colleague. Huspand. And he has a name and is a person.
So please. Look where you're going.
