IT'S a statistic you hear all the time: motorcyclists make up 1% of road traffic and yet we acount for 21% of fatal and serious crashes on Britain's motorways and A-roads.
"But it's not us!" we cry, "It's them! Those Facebook tweeting, non-indicating, not looking myopic cagers". If it weren't for them, we'd be fine, we mutter.
The data below may counter the above. It has been produced by EuroRAP using accident statistics, from roads where at least 20% of fatals involved motorcyclists. If these roads are now littered with police, shellgrip and warning signs, you know why.
Amazingly, three of the roads all lead into Buxton. Presumably, any biker entering Buxton still attached to their motorcycle - rather than skidding along behind it - gets a medal.
Whatever the case, these are 10 roads you'd do well to avoid, or failing that keep your wits about you while tackling.
Juding by the statistics: it's not always someone else's fault.
10. A646, Burnley - Halifax
Length: 18 miles
Fatal and serious collisions involving motorcyclists: 11
The longest stretch of road in our top 10 and the first of four from the North West. Twenty-four per cent of fatal and serious collisions here involved motorcyclists. Thirty-six per cent were at junctions, 18% were run-offs and 18% head-ons. The remaining 27% are classed as 'other'.
9. A645, Knottingley - A1041
Length: 10 miles
Fatal and serious collisions involving motorcyclists: 6
This stretch is the only entry from Yorkshire & Humberside in the top 10. Twenty-nine per cent of fatal and serious collisions involved motorcyclists. Eighty-three per cent occured at junctions.
8. A21, A229 (Hurst Green) - Hastings
Length: 14 miles
Fatal and serious collisions involving motorcyclists: 16
The last stretch of the popular run down to Hastings and the only entry from the South East. Thirty-two per cent of fatal and serious collisions involved motorcycles. Fifty-six per cent were at junctions, 6% were run-offs, 19% were head-ons, and 6% were rear-end shunts.
7. A371, A303 (Wincanton) - A37 (Shepton Mallet)
Length: 12 miles
Fatal and serious collisions involving motorcyclists: 6
A stone's throw from the notorious A303, the A371 is the only entry from the South West. Rather ominously, Google Maps wouldn't let me draw the route through Castle Cary. Make of that what you will. Thirty-eight per cent of fatal and serious collisions here involve motorcycles. Sixty-seven per cent were at junctions and 33% were head-ons.
6. A588, A585 (Blackpool) - A6 (Lancaster)
Length: 18 miles
Fatal and serious collisions involving motorcyclists: 11
Presumably, Morecambe-born-and-bred John McGuinness holds the record for this piece of road, so there's no point trying to break it. The second entry from the North West. Fifty-two per cent of fatal and serious collisions here involved a motorcyclist. Sixty-four per cent were at junctions, 9% were run-offs and 9% head-ons.
5. A54, Congleton - Buxton
Length: 15 miles
Fatal and serious collisions involving motorcyclists: 12
The first of a trio of roads leading to Buxton that make it into this top 10, and the third from the North West. Fifty-seven per cent of fatal and serious collisions here involve motorcyclists. Just 8% are at junctions, 17% are run-offs, 25% are head-ons and 8% rear-end shunts.
4. A621, A619 (Baslow) - Totley
Length: 6 miles
Fatal and serious collisions involving motorcyclists: 7
The first entry listed as East Midlands, this short stretch is a real hotspot. Sixty-four per cent of fatal and serious collisions involve motorcycles. Twenty-nine per cent are at junctions, 29% are run-offs and 14% are head-ons.
3. A5004, Whaley Bridge (A6) - Buxton
Length: 8 miles
Fatal and serious collisions involving motorcyclists: 9
The second entry listed as East Midlands and the second on a road leading to Buxton. Sixty-nine per cent of fatal and serious collisions here involve motorcyclists. Eleven per cent involve pedestrians or cyclists, 11% are run-offs and 78% are classed as 'other'.
2. A5012, A515 (Pikehall) - A6 (Matlock)
Length: 10 miles
Fatal and serious collisions involving motorcyclists: 15
The third entry for the East Midlands region. This stretch has the highest percentage of motorcycle involvment in fatal and serious collisions, at 75%. Seven per cent involve pedestrians or cyclists, 33% are at junctions, 20% are run-offs, 13% are head-ons and 7% are rear-end shunts.
1. A537, Macclesfield - Buxton
Length: 8 miles
Fatal and serious collisions involving motorcyclists: 21
The infamous Cat and Fiddle. It's the fourth entry in this top 10 from the North West and the UK's highest risk road for motorcyclists. Sixty-two per cent of fatal and serious collisions involve motorcyclists. Thirty-three per cent are at junctions, 10% are run-offs and 24% are head-ons.
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