COLLISION hot spots are being signposted across Dorset in attempt to reduce motorcycle crashes.

The road signs will be placed at locations where many motorcyclists have been injured as part of a new partnership.

They have been designed by over 2,400 members of the motorcycling community, and produced by DocBike and Dorset Council, with support from Dorset Police, BCP Council, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, and Public Health Dorset.

From January to November 2023, there were 235 motorcycle collisions in the region.

While this is a reduction compared to the previous year, campaigners feel there is still more to be done to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured.

The first road sign, ‘THINK BIKE’, aims to remind all road users to look for a bike, especially at junctions, while the second, ‘HAVE YOU BEEN SEEN?’, tells bikers they might not have been seen by other road users.

Studies show that springtime is the most dangerous time for motorcycle collisions, with a peak in serious injuries and fatalities being seen as motorcyclists make their way back onto the roads after the winter break.

Dr Ian Mew, intensive care consultant and co-founder of DocBike, said: “The human brain isn’t designed to see small objects travelling towards it at speed, which puts motorcyclists at risk when other vehicles pull out unexpectedly in front of them at junctions.

“If you combine this with other road users not being used to looking out for other motorcyclists after the winter period, we can understand why this is such a dangerous time for motorcyclists.

“A lot of time goes into reviewing data from previous motorcycle collisions to identify the areas of greatest risk.

"If you are a motorcyclist and you see one of our road signs, just back off the throttle, let your speed drop off a little and be aware that someone might be about to pull out in front of your path.

“If you drive, take some extra time to look out for motorcyclists and give them plenty of space, accepting that this will be the first time that they will have ridden for some months.”