Making Roads Safer for Motorcyclists
Poor road design and surface conditions are often major contributory factors in accidents involving motorcycles, prompting concern from organisations representing riders.
As a result highways authorities across Europe have come under attack, with the Federation of European Motorcycling Associations (FEMA) even accusing engineers and maintenance staff of being unaware of the hazards presented to riders.
In its European Agenda for Motorcycle Safety, FEMA highlights several problem areas that it feels require more attention. These include the lack of friction of some types of asphalt when wet, poor drainage -which increases the risk of aquaplaning - and poorly designed kerbs.
Bituminous asphalt sealers, potholes and the rutting caused by heavy lorries are also singled out for criticism.
As might be expected, the worst problems are associated with older highways.
However, statistically human error remains the single most common cause of accidents but efforts are being made to improve road surfaces to make them safer for riders and other users.
Typically, roads are created by building up layers of different types of coated stone. Basic construction comprises sub base, base, binder course and the surface or 'wearing' course.
The base courses have larger diameter aggregate to help withstand the heavy loads and to ensure the underlying ground is not subjected to stresses from the traffic.
Modern surface course formulations, such as stone mastic asphalt (SMA), are able to resist the rutting often seen - and felt - on the inside carriageway of major roads.
The final surface layer can be comparatively thin and formed using sizes and types of aggregate that provide very good grip, even in wet weather, which is imperative for the motorcyclist.
When correctly applied, these thin surfacings - including Viatex and Viapave from CEMEX's 'Via' range - are also resistant to wear, which means fewer cracks or potholes develop and less remedial work is needed between re-surfacing.
With older road surfaces, remedial overbanding - with bitumen used in repairs - creates small, smooth or 'slick' areas that can catch out the unwary motorcyclist, especially in the wet. Under some conditions these patches are just as hazardous as the unfilled cracks.
In the past road builders also relied on hot rolled asphalt or macadam as the mainstay for road construction but today's thinner surfacing systems mean it is possible to design each road specifically for the type and amount of traffic it handles.
Motorcyclists can justifiably claim their machines impose very little wear and tear on road surfaces. However it's vitally important their tyres have as much contact with the road surface course layer -particularly in wet weather.
The steady expansion in motorcycle traffic can therefore be seen as a welcome trend, as it represents a comparatively environmentally-friendly means of transport.
But, with an average of over 6000 UK motorcyclists killed or seriously injured each year, there is an obvious responsibility for all those involved in road building - from the planner to the asphalt supplier - to look at ways of making roads safer for two-wheel transport.
As a result highways authorities across Europe have come under attack, with the Federation of European Motorcycling Associations (FEMA) even accusing engineers and maintenance staff of being unaware of the hazards presented to riders.
In its European Agenda for Motorcycle Safety, FEMA highlights several problem areas that it feels require more attention. These include the lack of friction of some types of asphalt when wet, poor drainage -which increases the risk of aquaplaning - and poorly designed kerbs.
Bituminous asphalt sealers, potholes and the rutting caused by heavy lorries are also singled out for criticism.
As might be expected, the worst problems are associated with older highways.
However, statistically human error remains the single most common cause of accidents but efforts are being made to improve road surfaces to make them safer for riders and other users.
Typically, roads are created by building up layers of different types of coated stone. Basic construction comprises sub base, base, binder course and the surface or 'wearing' course.
The base courses have larger diameter aggregate to help withstand the heavy loads and to ensure the underlying ground is not subjected to stresses from the traffic.
Modern surface course formulations, such as stone mastic asphalt (SMA), are able to resist the rutting often seen - and felt - on the inside carriageway of major roads.
The final surface layer can be comparatively thin and formed using sizes and types of aggregate that provide very good grip, even in wet weather, which is imperative for the motorcyclist.
When correctly applied, these thin surfacings - including Viatex and Viapave from CEMEX's 'Via' range - are also resistant to wear, which means fewer cracks or potholes develop and less remedial work is needed between re-surfacing.
With older road surfaces, remedial overbanding - with bitumen used in repairs - creates small, smooth or 'slick' areas that can catch out the unwary motorcyclist, especially in the wet. Under some conditions these patches are just as hazardous as the unfilled cracks.
In the past road builders also relied on hot rolled asphalt or macadam as the mainstay for road construction but today's thinner surfacing systems mean it is possible to design each road specifically for the type and amount of traffic it handles.
Motorcyclists can justifiably claim their machines impose very little wear and tear on road surfaces. However it's vitally important their tyres have as much contact with the road surface course layer -particularly in wet weather.
The steady expansion in motorcycle traffic can therefore be seen as a welcome trend, as it represents a comparatively environmentally-friendly means of transport.
But, with an average of over 6000 UK motorcyclists killed or seriously injured each year, there is an obvious responsibility for all those involved in road building - from the planner to the asphalt supplier - to look at ways of making roads safer for two-wheel transport.
