New research using a world leading motorcycle simulator to analyse rider behaviour has proved that safer doesn’t necessarily mean slower and that formal advanced training for bikers can demonstrate improved safety on our roads.
The study was carried out by researchers at the University of Nottingham’s centre for motorcycle ergonomics and rider human factors.
Motorcyclists are badly over-represented in accident statistics. As of June 2010 motorbikes made up less than four per cent of the total number of licensed vehicles on UK roads but accounted for 21 per cent of all UK road fatalities. Car drivers typically cause two out of the three most common motorcycle accidents in the UK, but a significant number of accidents are still caused by the riders themselves.
The aim of the research was to investigate the attitudes, behaviours and skills of different types of riders according to their level of experience and training. A unique approach was designed to find out whether or not riders with advanced training, actually ride differently to novice or even experienced riders who don’t have an advanced qualification.
The simulator uses a Triumph Daytona 675 motorcycle mounted on a custom rig designed and built at the University. It creates a realistic, interactive, research tool using ‘STI-SIM Drive’ simulation software which projects different riding scenarios onto a large screen in front of the rider.
Three groups of riders (novice, experienced and advanced) were put through identical scenarios on the simulator as well as other tasks in the laboratory to test aspects of their hazard perception and behaviour. The findings showed that experience on its own does not make riders safer on the road and in some cases highly experienced riders without advanced training behaved more like the novice riders. Advanced riders used better road positioning, in all conditions, not just corners, to anticipate and respond to hazards, kept to urban speed limits and actually made far better progress through bends than riders without the formal advanced training.
Dr Alex Stedmon from the Human Factors Research Group, said: “This is one of the most in depth studies of its kind ever conducted. It’s been a fantastic opportunity for us in the Faculty of Engineering to work alongside colleagues in the School of Psychology focusing on high impact research with a relevance to all motorcyclists. It has demonstrated clear differences between the rider groups and potential benefits to advanced training above and beyond rider experience and basic training. Whilst experience seems to help develop rider skills to an extent, advanced training appears to develop deeper levels of awareness, perception and responsibility. It also appears to make riders better urban riders and quicker, smoother and safer riders in rural settings.”
It's interesting that experienced riders no better than novices in some cases. It begs the question what are they experienced in? Does experience have any value?
Interesting? Bloomin' scary I reckon.
How long before the government make advanced training COMPULSORY?! More money to cough up.
One day bike museums will be all we see of bikes. No bikes on roads It will probably be cheaper to book a flight to the moon, or other planet.
Hmmm...could it just be down to the attitude of the riders who choose the advanced rider's course opposed to those who think they are too good for it ????!!
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