Middle-aged bikers 'biggest road hazard'

Posted : 28-10-2005

Despite recent claims that 'boy racers' and OAPs are the biggest menaces on Britain's roads, the Welsh Assembly Government has now labelled middle-aged motorcyclists its number-one hazard.

As many middle-aged men suffering from a mid-life crisis take up motorcycling again, deputy economic development and transport minister Tamsin Dunwoody warns they are ignoring the dangers of lack of practice.

"The difficulties come when people like me who rode bikes when they were younger get to a certain age, and particularly men do this – 'I have got the money, I can afford it, I will go out and buy a superbike'," she told icWales.

"You get this situation where people are buying bikes and opening up the throttle and killing themselves and having accidents," Ms Dunwoody added.

The Welsh Assembly are now running a campaign aimed specifically at people who take up biking later in life, to make them aware that bikes are more powerful and dangerous now than motorcycles they may have ridden in the past.

Mature riders looking to indulge in their old hobby once again are also being urged to ensure they have the correct motorbike insurance for their new toys, and are encouraged to check online for cheap motorcycle insurance quotes.


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