Motorcyclists know they are among the most vulnerable people on our roads.
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In an era where technological advancements seem to be introduced with each new model of car, motorcyclists are in the same place they have always been.
And that is totally exposed to the elements, which makes clear their need to be attentive to what’s happening around them in a way greater than anyone else who has a licence.
After all, if something goes wrong they have little more than their leathers and helmet to offer a small degree of protection.
We all like to think that a road accident will never happen to us. And aside from minor bingles or a few panel scrapes, that is the reality faced by a majority of motorists.
But road trauma can still affect anyone.
When something does happen, the latest technology in braking and stability control systems plus crumple zones and air bags can help minimise serious injury or death.
It is though an especially pressing issue for motorcyclists.
They can do absolutely everything right, can be skilled and experienced with a focus on constantly searching for dangers and still be struck by a car or truck, or slightly misjudge the conditions and have their bike slip out from underneath them in the wet.
In many such cases they cannot simply rely on passing traffic.
A summer-time ride through the North East’s spectacular high country is a case in point. Often there simply is no one else around, or if there is it might be a crucial hour or two before they turn up.
Albury motorcyclist Rikk Price is well aware of the inherent dangers in preferring two wheels over four.
Three years ago he came off his motorcycle, but the problem was he did not have coverage on his mobile phone to call for an ambulance.
He wasn’t hurt. But that doesn’t mean he didn’t need help, which led to a 45-minute wait for another motorcyclist to come past and give him a hand.
As he says, motorcyclists are “quite vulnerable” on the road. That is why he is among the first to enrol in a course that aims to help motorcyclists deal with such an experience.
The Border Mail certainly backs his push to get others enrol in the motorcycle accident management training course subsidised this year by Albury Council and NSW Roads and Maritime Services.