Right gear, right habits, stay safe

What do motorcycle stunt riders and trauma surgeons have in common?

They both have seen their share of broken bones.

Japanese stunt rider Hiroyuki Ogawa knows a lapse in concentration while riding a motorcycle can be dangerous.

Six years ago, Mr Ogawa - or Oga as he is known in the stunt-riding world - lost control of his motorcycle during a practice and broke his ankle. He was hospitalised for two months.

Dr Caroline Simon, a consultant surgeon, has treated bruised and battered riders such as Oga.

And that is why both want to remind riders to stay safe.

 

 

"The total number of (significant) motorcycle accidents we have seen from 2011 to 2015 is 865.

"That is an average of 150 to 200 each year, or roughly one every two days," Dr Simon tells The New Paper on Sunday.

The number of injured riders has been climbing.

Last year, 4,875 riders and pillions were hurt - 241 more than 2014 - according to traffic police figures.

Dr Simon (below), who is with the department of surgery at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, says significant injuries sustained by riders range from serious to severe, the latter of which can result in fatalities.

TNP PHOTO: ZAIHAN MOHAMED YUSOF

Dr Simon says about half of rider injuries the hospital sees are chest-related, such as rib fractures and lung contusions. Fractures to the upper and lower limbs make up 48 per cent while head injuries account for 36 per cent.

Dr Simon tells TNPS that wearing proper riding apparel can reduce some of these injuries.

Yesterday, she shared her message at the launch of Singapore Ride Safe (SRS) 2016 at the Singapore Expo.

SRS 2016 is an initiative by the Traffic Police and the Singapore Road Safety Council.

The event was held in conjunction with the two-day Singapore Bike Show 2016.

While Oga is a stunt rider, he shares Dr Simon's message that riders need to suit up.

"I don't wear casual attire to do stunts because I want to avoid injuries," says Oga, 34, who began stunt riding when he was a 20-year-old university student.

Stunt performer Hiroyuki Ogawa. PHOTO COURTESY OF MAH PTE LTD

Whether riding for fun or pulling a stunt such as his signature move of a rolling stoppie with a 360-degree turn and bunny hop, Oga dons a jacket complete with shoulder, back and elbow armour.

Oga (below), who is performing at the bike show, also uses knee protectors under his riding pants.

"We (stunt riders) need to be flexible, so we cannot wear racing suits because of their stiffness," he says.

PHOTO: MAH PTE LTD

SUIT UP

All riders need to get suited up, say the organisers of SRS 2016 and its partners from the Land Transport Authority, the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council and the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Institute.

They want delivery companies that employ riders to agree that their riders will "Wear Safe" and "Ride Safe" - this year's campaign tagline.

"We believe the awareness level may still be low. As such, the WSH Council and the WSH Institute are working with the Traffic Police to encourage delivery companies to improve on the riders' personal protective equipment," says a spokesman for the council.

It says 10 people died in work-related traffic accidents (WRTA) last year.

In 2014, there were six fatal WRTA accidents.

There are no specific figures for delivery riders hurt in traffic accidents.

What causes these accidents?

A focus group session organised by the WSH Institute in February with 40 participants from 14 delivery companies provided some insight.

Work factors: Poor fleet and delivery management, the pay-per-trip salary practice with an emphasis on sales over safety, road hazards and rider fatigue.

Road environment: Debris and oil patches as well as lane markings that become slippery when wet.

Rider's behaviour on the road: Reckless riding, being fatigued or overworked, and failure to maintain one's motorcycle.

Other road users: Lack of awareness for riders as well as speeding and failure to check blind spots.

Often, it is a combination of these factors that increases the likelihood of a traffic accident.

While additional riding courses, three-wheeled motorcycles and safety technologies such as action cameras can enhance rider safety, the WSH Council says "riders must also take personal responsibility for their own safety and health while riding".

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ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN

The tagline for the Singapore Ride Safe 2016 campaign is "Wear Safe. Ride Safe".

And it features The New Paper's Biker Boy in a road safety Traffic Police poster.

It is to remind riders that proper riding attire can reduce the chances of sustaining injuries.

 

 

For the poster, Biker Boy was decked in everything from an approved helmet with a clear visor and secured chin strap to a riding jacket, gloves, pants and riding boots.

They are essentially what Mr Zaihan Mohamed Yusof dons for every ride.

Biker Boy is the face of the campaign, appearing in pamphlets, posters and lamppost banners strategically placed around the island.

The Traffic Police says that apart from educating motorcyclists and their pillions on safe riding habits, the campaign aims to reach out to delivery companies to do their part.

At yesterday's launch, eight food companies and their representatives signed a pledge to have their riders ride safer, including exploring ways to dress them with personal protective gear.

- Melvin Singh