The first miles. We get used to the machine, the newly purchased helmet or riding suit. It is already better; we have ridden several kilometres. We ride slowly, enjoying the wind and the first tear streaming from our eye through the open helmet visor. For some two-wheeled vehicle riders, this calm riding will often last several days—or until the first meeting with friends and a joint spring-afternoon ride.

“Statistics, which are visibly improving year by year, do not, however, entitle us to rest on our laurels and do nothing to improve them,” say police officers from the Provincial Police Headquarters. “In 2015, 12 motorcycle riders were unfortunately killed on the roads of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, while 157 people were injured. Sixteen cyclists died and 279 suffered injuries. Among two-wheeled vehicles, mopeds had the ‘best’ safety record in 2015: five people died and 95 were injured. Police statistics are relentless and cannot be cheated.”

From the beginning of the year until the beginning of April, three fatalities and five injuries among motorcyclists were recorded on the roads of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. As for lower-powered two-wheeled vehicles such as mopeds, three of their users were injured. The situation is also not good among bicycle users. There have been nine victims, including one fatality.

“As traffic police officers and, at the same time, supporters of two-wheeled vehicles, which we also ride in our free time, we can comment on this subject,” the officers add. “Two-wheeled vehicle riders are not welcomed by other road users. Why? We do not know. Perhaps because we do not have to stand in traffic jams and save time and money. We experience this lack of courtesy ourselves when riding through the streets of Wrocław.”

They add: “Motorcyclists are not saints, and you can spot ‘desperados’ among them! These are usually people on so-called sport bikes who have borrowed a ‘ride’ for a while. Given the chance to have some fun for a moment, they twist the throttle all the way! Most often they do not have a driving licence, and it is better not to mention their skills and experience! An outfit consisting of a T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops is a common sight in such situations.”

Advice for motorcyclists:

  • clothing: you can still see people riding in whatever they happen to have. Jeans, a jacket and some gloves. After years, they will certainly feel the consequences painfully when the weather changes, and their joints will remind them of it. Moreover, in an accident, even a skid, nothing protects a rider wearing this type of clothing! Investing in proper/professional clothing—a riding suit worn throughout the season, even when the sun is shining and temperatures reach 35 degrees Celsius—will certainly pay off
  • let us also remember fashionable accessories that improve our safety, such as vests and reflective elements. Of course, our behaviour truly has the greatest impact on our safety. That means the speed at which and places where we travel, how we perform overtaking and turning manoeuvres, whether we maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead, and whether we exercise particular caution and common sense throughout.

And they appeal: “Let us remember that we are not alone on the road; let us show other drivers plenty of respect. And let us remember that we decide many factors while riding.”

Provincial Police Headquarters in Wrocław/ii