Mike's Last Ride
This Road Policing campaign ‘Mike’s last ride’ was created with one of our roads policing inspectors who tragically lost his father in a motorbike collision in order to raise awareness of the dangers of riding whilst tired.
Insp Dave Mangan created a short film about his father Mike’s last ride which has been shown to bikers across the county.
Mike Mangan, 72, from Bolton, sadly died on 11 September 2013 in Wheddon Cross, Somerset, when he was involved in a collision with an oncoming vehicle whilst overtaking. Mike, a retired electrical engineer, was on the last ten miles of a 320 mile journey and it is thought that tiredness was a contributory factor in his death.
Insp Mangan, 43, also from Bolton, was with his father at the time of the fatal collision. Mike was riding his BMW 1200RT as they were travelling from Lands End to Minehead.
‘Mike’s last ride’ tells the story of the day of the fatal collision and offers advice on how riders can stay safe on the roads.
Are you on the right track?
On a warm and sunny day at the beginning of July 2015, Ian Entwistle, a keen and experienced rider was making a familiar journey from his home in Newton, Preston to his father’s house in Freckleton.
The 34-year-old Aircraft Technician had just returned from a two-day superbike riding school and was riding his dream bike, a blue and white Suzuki GSX-R 600, along the short rural route.
As Ian approached a left hand bend, he moved his bike tight into the left hand side of the road towards the nearside kerb, and as he exited the corner he came across a slow moving car indicating to turn right.
Ian’s position would have been more suited to a racetrack where the visibility and track layouts are very different. Due to Ian’s position as he approached the bend on this stretch of road, he wouldn’t have been able to see the junction ahead or the car on his side of the road waiting to turn.
Ian didn’t have enough time to brake and avoid a collision. The front tyre on his bike locked as he braked, throwing Ian from it and pushing him along the road into the bumper of the car.
He suffered serious head and chest injuries and died at hospital later that day.
The Road Death Investigation Team and Lancashire Road Safety Partnership with the permission of Ian’s family, have had his Suzuki motorbike mounted to a display trailer so that it can be used at events across the county and beyond. It will be used to help educate bikers about riding safely, keeping them on the right track, with the ultimate aim of reducing the numbers of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured on our roads.
A video has also been produced that looks at cornering and offers some key advice to bikers. Watch it below on our YouTube channel.
Let’s look out for each other
‘Let's Look Out For Each Other’ is a campaign aimed at both motorists and cyclists to encourage people to be aware of each other’s presence on the roads.
Research has shown pedal cyclists to be one of the most vulnerable road users and this campaign takes into account the views of both cyclists and other road users using the strapline ‘Let’s look out for each other’ to raise awareness of the vulnerability of cyclists whilst giving both drivers and cyclists facts from the Highway Code.
When you’re driving:
- If driving, you should anticipate more cyclists than usual, especially at peak times of day.
- Look out for cyclists. Make eye contact where possible to show you have seen them. Use your indicators to signal intentions and look out for their signals.
- Give cyclists plenty of space when overtaking them.
- Always check for cyclists when opening your car door, pulling out at a junction, or when doing a manoeuvre.
- Advanced stop lines at lights allow vulnerable road users (e.g. cyclists) to get to the front and increase their visibility. You must stop at the first white line reached if the lights are amber or red. When the green signal shows allow the other road user time and space to move off.
When you’re cycling:
- Ride decisively and keep clear of the kerb.
- Look and signal to show drivers what you plan to do, make eye contact where possible.
- Avoid riding up the inside of vehicles, as you might not be seen. If a vehicle is indicating to the left hang back at the junction to reduce the risk of a collision.
- Always use lights after dark or when visibility is poor. Wear high-visibility and reflective clothing and accessories at all times
- Wear a correctly fitted cycle helmet that is securely fastened and conforms to current regulations.
- Your local council can help you plan your journey by providing maps showing dedicated paths and routes.
- Where possible, try to maintain a safe distance when you cycle, for example when waiting at crossings and traffic lights.
- Where using bikes (private, docked or dockless) wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or sanitise your hands before and after cycling.