Becky Hollands, a biker who also works as a despatcher for South Central Ambulance Service’s patient transport service in Hampshire, is urging motorcyclists to wear full, correctly fitted protective clothing every time they ride, as new national statistics show the continuing toll of deaths and serious injuries on UK roads.
Becky knows from painful, first-hand experience of the importance of riding in the right gear should an accident happen.
“In August 2017 I was stationery in a line of traffic when I was hit from behind and catapaulted over my handlebars”, says Becky. “Fortunately, I was wearing a helmet, gloves, jacket and heavy-duty trousers and boots. Despite this, I still sustained a serious wrist injury, a leg injury and whilst I’ve fully healed physically, the psychological injuries are something I still struggle with today.”
It took five years for Becky to get back on a bike, but today she is able to enjoy riding again on her beloved Kawasaki 500cc.
“My message to other bikers is please, please just wear as much kit as you can. I know it’s expensive but it can save your life, or prevent more serious, life-changing injuries. I see people out riding sometimes in nothing more than t-shirts and shorts – and that is so, so dangerous if you come off. If I had been doing it at the time of my accident, I might not be here today.”
‘Proper gear’ for riders should include:
- Helmet – a full face or modular helmet that meets current safety standards, correctly fastened and replaced after any significant impact
- Jacket and trousers – motorcycle-specific kit made from abrasion-resistant materials (textile or leather) with built-in impact protection (CE-approved armour) at the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees
- Gloves – full length motorcycle gloves to protect hands, wrists and knuckles from impact and abrasion
- Boots – sturdy boots designed for motorcycling that support and protect the ankle, heel and shin
- Visibility – high-visibility or reflective elements on clothing and helmets to help other road users see riders earlier, especially in poor light or bad weather
If budget allows, additional protection could include certified back protectors, chest protectors and airbag vests or jackets to provide extra impact protection to the spine and chest, further reducing the risk of life-changing injuries.
The Department for Transport Road Casualties Annual Report for 2024, published in September this year, showed that 364 bikers were killed on UK roads in 2024, an increase from the 336 killed the previous year. This was the highest increase in road fatalities of all vehicle types.
A further 5,468 bikers were seriously injured and 10,152 slightly injured.
Despite making up a small proportion of traffic, motorcyclists remain one of the highest risk groups. Analysis of injury rates per mile travelled shows that motorcyclists are around 45 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than car occupants.
Watch Becky’s message below:
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