Spring, sunshine and a dry road—this is the time when, after properly preparing their motorcycles, riders can begin the season on the roads. The first few metres are spent getting used to the machine, a newly purchased helmet or riding suit. Things are already going better: we have covered several kilometres, riding along and 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 sometimes last several days. Or until the first meeting with friends and a shared afternoon ride in the spring.

Road traffic police officers stress that they themselves are also motorcycle enthusiasts. “We ride them in our free time, too,” they say. “Riders of two-wheeled vehicles are not welcomed on the roads by other road users. Why? We do not know. Perhaps because the former do not have to sit in traffic jams and save time and money. We experience this lack of courtesy ourselves when riding through the streets of Wrocław.

And they point out: “Motorcyclists are not saints, and desperate thrill-seekers can be found among them! These are usually people on so-called sport bikes who have borrowed a ‘machine’ for a while. Given a momentary opportunity to have some fun, 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! Clothing such as a T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops is a common sight in such situations.

What do the uniformed officers advise?

  • clothing: today, one can still see people riding in whatever they happen to be wearing. Jeans, a jacket and some kind of gloves. Years later, they will certainly feel the consequences painfully when the weather changes, and their joints will remind them of it. Moreover, in the event of an accident, even a skid, nothing protects a rider dressed in this type of clothing! Investing in proper/professional gear—a suit worn throughout the season, even when the sun is shining and the temperature reaches 35 degrees Celsius—will certainly pay off
  • accessories: vests and reflective elements. Of course, our behaviour actually has the greatest impact on our safety. That means the speed at which we travel and how we perform overtaking and changes of direction, as well as whether we maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead, exercise particular caution and use common sense.
  • let us remember that we are not alone on the road; let us show other drivers plenty of respect. Let us not forget that we decide about many factors while riding.

“We hope that together we will safely get through another 2017 season, in harmony with other road users, and meet somewhere at one of the rallies and, all together, at the end-of-season event,” add the road traffic police officers.