Motorbikes — Don't Risk It Quiz

Q: The chance of having a serious or fatal crash on a bike is:

Less than for driving a car

About the same as when driving a car

About 10 to 20 times higher than when driving a car

About 40 to 50 times higher than when driving a car

More than 100 times higher than when driving a car

The relative risk of a motorcycle rider being killed or seriously injured per kilometre travelled is 46 times higher than for car drivers.

Q: When may a learner driver carry a pillion passenger?

If the passenger holds a full licence

If the passenger is over 21

If the rider is undergoing training

Not at any time

You MUST NOT carry a pillion passenger or pull a trailer until you have passed your test.

Q: When riding a motorcycle, why should you keep well to the left when approaching a right hand bend?

To stop any overtaking vehicles hitting you

To stop the bike from skidding

To improve your view of the road

To let faster vehicles behind overtake

When you are on the left you can see into a right hand bend that bit better.

Q: Your steering feels wobbly. What is the most likely cause?

A broken clutch cable

Badly adjusted brakes

High tyre pressure

Worn steering head bearing

Worn bearing in the steering head can make your bike difficult to control. They should be checked for wear and adjustment.

Q: Around 2.0% of road users failed a breathalyser test in 2007, but what percentage of motorcyclists failed?

1.0%

1.4%

2.0%

2.6%

3.0%

1.4% of motorcyclists taking a breathalyser test in 2003 failed, compared to 2.0% of road users as a whole. Most riders know that to ride a bike requires higher control levels than to drive a car, and the figures suggest that they are less willing to impair this control by drinking. However, even a small impairment can have a major impact on rider performance.

Q: Road surfaces tend to be at their most slippery:

During the late afternoon

After heavy prolonged rain

After a long dry spell followed by a shower of rain

During a long dry spell

The roads are more slippery after a long dry spell followed by rain.

Q: What is the estimated cost of a fatal crash?

£1,500

£15,000

£150,000

£1,500,000

£15,000,000

The average cost of a fatal crash is £1,428,180. Minor crashes cost £12,370 and major ones £160,480. However, financial costs are insignificant when compared to the loss that a family suffer when their loved one is not coming back from their ride.

Q: What does the term 'Lifesaver' mean?

The petrol reserve tank

The two-second rule

A final rear glance

A reflective jacket

The term 'Lifesaver' means a final rear glance - this action makes you aware of what's happening behind and along you.

Q: Fatal crashes involving bikes are the fault of other road users:

About 10% of the time

About 25% of the time

About 50% of the time

About 75% of the time

About 90% of the time

It is only the fault of other road users about 25% of the time. Loss of control of the bike is the cause of 64% of crashes. While it is good, and essential to look out for other vehicles (as they might not see you), it is also important to know your limits and ride within them so that you do not become an ‘out of control’ victim.

Q: What is the minimum legal depth of tread for motorcycle tyres?

0.6 mm

1.0 mm

1.6 mm

2.0 mm

2.6 mm

The minimum tread depth is 1mm, but this is the minimum. Considering how little of the tyres are actually in contact with the road, you would want that small area to give as much grip as possible, especially in poor weather conditions. Therefore, it is advisable to renew tyres before they reach the minimum tread depth.