High visibility rucksacks are being given away to bikers in Leicestershire as part of an initiative to reduce road casualties.The free bag is designed to cut accidents involving motorcyclists by increasing drivers' awareness of motorbikes and scooters.Last year, nine motorcyclists died on Leicestershire's roads and three have been killed since January.Bikers are particularly vulnerable - they represent only one per cent of vehicles on the county's highways but make up 23 per cent of those killed or seriously injured.Information on specialist one-to-one training aimed at bikers is also included with the rucksack. The six-hour session is designed to cut accidents by passing on tips linked to key risks such as negotiating bends, overtaking, positioning and junctions.Rucksacks can be collected from one of 16 police stations and three libraries across the county.To collect a free rucksack, motorcyclists should call into the police stations or libraries below, with their bike and driving license:Police stations:LoughboroughCoalvilleSystonMeltonHinckleyBraunstoneMarket HarboroughWigstonOakhamWelford Road, LeicesterNorfolk Street, LeicesterBeaumont Leys, LeicesterSpinney Hill, LeicesterMelton Road, LeicesterMansfield House, LeicesterKeyham Lane, LeicesterLibraries - Lutterworth, Blaby and Quorn.To find out more, please visit the County Council's website at <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p>
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I thought riders were discouraged from wearing a back pack/rucksack in case they came off and the bag straps got caught on something, a potential to strangle the rider. I wear a back pack often when I'm a pillion, I like some weight in it too, oddly enough it helps my back.
I won't wear a rucksack on the bike. As Sandi says, in an accident the straps are a strangle risk. Also though, the bag can catch on the road causing the rider to start tumbling and as we all know, in an accident it's what you hit or tumbling that causes the injuries (presuming you're wearing good gear).
Hmmm. I’m still a bit sceptical on this. If the bag catches on something its surely going to slow you down or create an abrupt stop. I can’t see how it can strangle.
Similarly, I’ve seen film footage of skydivers being ‘hung-up’ when their canopy’s accidentally get caught on building or trees etc. But no strangle!
Anyway (on a lighter note) yesterday when I was at the wells-next-to-sea bike show, a tent was there advertising a Think Bike campaign. My immediate thought was this very post, and I was really tempted to ask; you’re not by any chance giving away free high visibility rucksacks?!
Ronnie
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