Buxton - Death Valley

[Kwacky]

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/most ... -2zhsqshgp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Monty]

It's quite a nasty road and there's one left-hander that tightens very quickly. Takes a lot of people by surprise and if you're not prepared for it's very easy to end up on the wrong side of the road on a blind bend.

It's not a road I've ever felt comfortable going fast on.

[Monty]

PLOD - This data whilst compelling does not tell the full story. As a former Derbyshire Police Road Traffic officer, I suggest that if you looked at the vehicle type involved you will find a higher proportion of motorcycles for the two Derbyshire roads as these roads are technically challenging. I know the A361 in Devon and the A909 in Fife both of which are roads that can and do encourage higher speed.
However, as a serving officer when accident statistics started to be recorded there was a fundamental flaw in that 'Non injury' accidents and their locations were not recorded for statistical purposes. And as any police officer will tell you, as the wearing of seats belts and car safety features have improved, the difference between a non injury, injury and fatal accident can be just bad luck.
So going back to the Derbyshire and other 2 roads, are these dangerous roads per se or are they roads that people can and do drive badly on or at excessive speed and thus the consequences are usually severe? Unless we know the proportion if fatal accidents to all accidents on these roads we cant make an assessment.
But always remember roads are not dangerous and speed in itself is not dangerous, however inappropriate speed, pilot error or exceeding their own capability accounts for most accidents.

[Kwacky]

Nail on the head.

[Stonesie]

That matched my own views that speed itself is not the problem, inappropriate speed for the conditions and situation is the problem. And many drivers and riders can't determine that for themselves these days.

[Blade]

Had an interesting chat at Oulton Park last weekend with a fire fighter bike rider who worked for Cheshire fire brigade and also happened to be an ex Police motorcyclist.

His current role with the Fire Brigade is focused about incident management and the Police via Bikesafe campaigns managed rider training so a slightly different perspective on rider safety.

The interesting bit was the crash statistics he quoted for bikers. He said Cheshire has a high percentage of bike crashes as bikers transit through the county on route to North Wales for a days riding. He said speed was not a major contributor in accidents. In his experience crashes were down to born again riders and novices having bikes to powerful for their skills combined with a lack of experience. He said a lot of crashes are new riders using the incorrect gear for corners so not having drive, grip and stability through a corner or riders wrongly believing ABS will allow them to brake in corners and never crash.

In his experience alot of crashes in his patch were related to poor skills and poor observation and not just inappropriate use of speed.

[D41]

All other things being equal, I think the more speed you're carrying, the fewer options you hold.

[duke63]

I don’t think passing your bike test makes someone fit and proper to ride a bike on the road. Or at least it didn’t in my day.

There is so much more to learn about riding a bike smoothly, competently and fast. Indeed we should never stop learning.

Look how Marquez has dragged some hugely talented riders to make sure they can race him. And now we have another young pretender coming along taking the fight too him. There is always new skills to learn.

[Blade]

I used to ride the A5004 all the time and was a good road tbh.

[D41]

I don’t think passing your bike test makes someone fit and proper to ride a bike on the road. Or at least it didn’t in my day.

There is so much more to learn about riding a bike smoothly, competently and fast. Indeed we should never stop learning.

I think the bike test is an entrance exam...it covers the basics & gets you up & running....then you can begin gaining your own experience & hopefully learn from that.