Older Motor-cyclists - Low Risk

OK, so lets not pretend that motorcycles are a big issue for older people. We know that most older people (say 65 and over) who ride motorcycles tend to do it close to home in rural areas. We also know that the statistics for accidents or injury of older motorcyclists are low. In 2003, only 2% of all motorcycle fatalities were aged 60 and over.

BUT,

The skills required to safely ride a motorcycle are greater than for a car and in general any rider over 40 is considered an "Older Motorcyclist". Consider the following facts (based largely on NSW data - we lack data for the ACT):

• In 2003, people aged 40 and over accounted for about 29% of all fatalities of motorcyclists in Australia.
• Older riders (those aged 40 and over) own 42% of registered motorcycles (NSW) but are far less likely to be involved in crashes.
• The proportion of crashes involving this group seems to be increasing.

The "Motorcycle Council of NSW" reports that riders aged 40 and over are:

• More likely to crash in rural areas.
• More likely to be involved in crashes on curves.
• More likely to be involved in single vehicle crashes (This is opposite to the experience with older drivers).

Safety Precautions for Older Motorcyclists

Many of the precautions are the same as those for older drivers:

• Obtain a copy of the Current Road Rules and check your knowledge. Update yourself as necessary.
• Obtain and read a copy of the Older Drivers Handbook.
• Check with your GP about medications and their possible impact on driving ability.
• Actively work to improve your health and wellbeing. Increased physical and mental exercise can provide significant improvements in your ability as a rider.

Adjust your riding to avoid situations where you are uncomfortable or feel unsafe:

• Night riding. Many older people find riding at night difficult - glare, and other issues become a significant problem. If you are uncomfortable with night riding, then try to avoid it.
• Complex right-hand turns. One of the most common areas of accident for older riders is when making right hand turns across traffic. It is well worth considering taking a longer route that will avoid right hand turns at busy intersections when possible.
• Avoid times of peak traffic. The peak traffic periods for the ACT are between 8:00am - 9:00am and between 4:00pm and 6:00pm. Needless to say, these are also the times of peak accidents - avoid riding during these times if you can. 

Additionally as an older motorcyclist:

• Remember that the skills required to safely ride a motorcycle are greater than those required to drive a car - ask yourself if you are still safe on a motorbike.
• Wear bright clothing - you are more likely to be seen if you have reflective patches on your clothes - see the section for pedestrians and cyclists about colour visibility factors.
• Pay extra attention in rural areas, especially on long sweeping curves.
• Consider refreshing your riding skills by attending a "Stay Upright" course or a MASTER course (Mature Aged Skills Training for Experienced Riders).