As I understood it the Survival Skills forum was originally set up to provide advice in order to improve motorcycling safety, so much is talked about riding techniques, some of which may even make for a less safe ride if they are put into practice, but I shall leave it to others to argue about that.

Prompted by a bald assertion that a clean bike is safer, I started thinking of different factors which have an effect.

So, to begin with that statement, yes, clean and shiny may rightly indicate a well looked after, sound machine, and as someone else said, the cleaning time is when he checks out his bike for problems, but unfortunately that doesn’t apply to everyone. I admit that when I see a bike on the road which is scruffier than mine, and they do exist, I do wonder in what mechanical condition it really is, but I don’t condemn it as unsafe on appearance alone. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has seen some real beauties that are down-right dangerous through lack of maintenance.

Now I come to comfort. The comfort of a rider has an effect on safety. A cold rider doesn’t function properly and eventually the hands and feet don’t act as they should, which could lead to serious consequences, but if your clothes are restrictive they reduce your ability to move and operate the controls correctly. This is more likely in winter through wearing more clothes to keep warm, so the remedy can be as bad as the initial problem. As has been discussed at great length elsewhere, heated clothing is one way to reduce the dangers from cold, but it is not suitable for everyone, so serious thought must be given when kitting up for cold weather riding. My own failing is to wear too much round the neck, making turning my head difficult, so risking poor rear observation.

Coupled with this is the question of protective clothing. I wear it because I want to minimise my injuries when I fall off, but I’ve read that people take more risks because they feel safer if they wear more protection. This may be true. Certainly I wouldn’t risk riding at all if I were stark naked.

The debate on having the choice to wear protective clothing is one which will run forever but there is one point I’ve never heard mentioned in any forum or magazine. According to Dr John Gosnold, for many years the top A&E consultant in Hull, while having to deal with many horrific injuries, the greatest cause of infection in wounds is when the rider is wearing jeans. Whilst they are strong enough to give some protection against gravel rash, it seems that for some reason denim fibres entering grazes produce a worse problem than that resulting from road dirt.

Having procured our warm, unrestrictive clothing, the next aspect relates to the bike itself. If it is uncomfortable, whether because of a hard seat or difficulty in using the controls, the rider will once again not be working at his best, so an uncomfortable bike can be a dangerous bike. In this, different bikes suit different individuals, and therefore their safety is variable.

In the previous scenarios, the body and brain react to the cold or pain, and do likewise if the rider is tired, hungry, thirsty and, oh yes, in need of a toilet, reducing concentration on the journey itself, which leads me to general health and fitness. A sick person may not be fit to ride, depending on the malady. Many people believe alcohol and drugs affect one’s riding abilities, but extremes of emotion can help produce poor judgements and decisions. Anger can enhance aggression but euphoria can result in a carefree and, therefore, careless attitude. Two extremes but both are potentially dangerous.

Next, ponder this statement. Big bikes are safer than small bikes. I expect many of you have heard it said, but big in what way? Higher powered or physically larger? I know that I need more than 90hp to get me out of trouble because I’ve read it on VD ( sorry I couldn’t help it ) but I also know that the more power I have, the more likely I am to get into trouble if/because I can’t handle it. I darned nearly killed myself with 8hp, so what would I do with 80? Of all the factors which might have saved me, more power was not one.

My point is that you should always ride in a manner appropriate to your abilities and to the characteristics of the bike. If you do that, your degree of safety should be very similar whatever you ride.

Regarding physical size affecting safety, there is the idea that bigger bikes are more visible, but cars are bigger than bikes and often they are not seen, so perhaps it should be bigger bikes may be more visible. I suspect however that it comes down more to attitude. A driver sees a small bike and feels it can do him no harm so pulls out in front, but in the same way he will pull out in front of a large bike in preference to a car. Advice given about defensive riding is pertinent whatever the size or type of bike but the difference is that the rider of a smaller machine needs to be aware of the thinking just mentioned.

Unfortunately, riders of little and, commonly, slow bikes may become excessively cautious and can cause problems for themselves. Toddling along in the gutter to avoid causing an obstruction encourages overtakes in sometimes unsafe places. It also means when you want to make a right turn and there is a long line of fast vehicles you have difficulty getting through the flow, a regular problem for pedal-cyclists. I bimble along in the middle of my lane, until I see someone approaching from behind. When I’m sure he’s seen me and has started to curse I choose what I consider to be a safe spot for him to pass and pull over to give him more room. If I don’t think it safe he either has to wait or take to the opposite side of the road. Usually they wait.

Because I try to plan my routes to minimise potentially dangerous situations I’ve not felt intimidated when I’ve been on the tiny bike and neither have I felt I haven’t been seen, despite its colour, although this could be because it is very noticeable, having a style unlike any other model.

Finally, I come to “bits and bobs”.

Has anyone else ever got a bootlace caught round the gear lever? Do you have your hair flowing freely or tuck it inside your clothes? Have you 12” fringes on your jacket? These are things which may get caught and rip off in the event of and accident. Sadly, they can sometimes take parts of you with them. However I can confirm that Loptoff Lugs detach safely from their suckers without any adverse strain on the head or neck.

Also, have you considered the danger of carrying hard objects on your person? Imagine landing on your back whilst carrying a large security chain over your shoulder, a rucksack full of your monthly baked bean ration or even a pocket with a sharp object in it.

I apologise for the length of this, but I hope it has brought to your attention safety aspects which previously you might not have considered.

And you thought Survival Skills was all about getting round the corner without falling off. Believe me, that’s easy. I’ve been going round the bend for years.