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NEW BIKESURE CAMPAIGN WANTS BIKERS TO GIVE IT A TRIPLE X
Leading motorcycle insurance provider, Bikesure, is launching a campaign, which aims to save the lives of
bikers by calling on the government to clean up its act on diesel spillage.
Diesel spilt on the roads is a major threat to motorcyclists and it is reported that 12 per cent of accidents
are due to the problem, which is why Bikesure is campaigning for the government to put measures in place, to
prevent further fatalities caused by diesel spills.
Diesel spills affect all road users, with motorcyclists being the most vulnerable group. Current legislation*
require that fuel tanks must be constructed and maintained in such a manner that neither liquid nor vapour can
escape from them. Anyone failing to comply may be liable to a maximum fine of £2,500.
However, overfilling tanks, a failure to close the tank cap properly, driving without a filler cap, or having
a deficient seal remains the major cause of diesel spillage, with many truckers and operators still clearly
unaware of the life threatening dangers of diesel spills.
The major spillage of diesel from overfilled tanks is a safety threat for bikers, but the lurking danger
is the steady build up of diesel as it evaporates little and leaves slicks on the roads. Such slicks are deadly
for riders, being colourless and providing almost no grip for the bike's tyres.
Bikesure's campaign, entitled OEVan Diesel Give It A Triple X! is eliciting biker support to help
combat the life threatening dangers of diesel spillage. Bikers are being urged to give their backing to
the petition by giving the three Van Diesel statements the Triple X of approval.
- I support a move to make it compulsory for all UK companies/operators to educate their drivers about
the dangers they pose to other road users when spilling diesel.
- I support a call for stricter enforcement measures for individuals and operators who fail to fit,
close or maintain their filler caps.
- I support a move for heavier fines to be levied on individuals and operators who wantonly spill diesel.
The campaign is fully supported by Brian Adam, Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP), and MEP Bill Miller.
Bill Miller says: "Having worked on this issue in the Parliament a number of years ago, it is disappointing to
find that bikers are still facing the same problem today. I fully support the campaign to make it safer for
bikers on the road."
Bikesure will use the petition to pass on to the government, which will add further weight to other diesel
clean-up campaigns set up by groups such as OEThe Road Users Campaign to Kill diesel Spills (TRUCKS), the
motorcycle action group, and the BMF, in a bid to drive home the message that diesel spillage is everyone's
responsibility.
The British Motorcyclists Federation, Britain's largest and most influential riders rights organisation
welcomed the campaign. BMF spokesman Jeff Stone, said: "We've done a lot of work on diesel spills and were
instrumental in getting new vehicle standards improved but educating users is vitally important and thatıs
what this campaign will hopefully do."
Bikesure's operations manager, Robert Balls, says: "We are calling on the Government to make the roads
safer for vulnerable road users, such as motorcyclists. The petition is part of our ongoing campaign to
increase biker safety. We believe the petition will go a long way towards highlighting this serious issue
and bringing it to the full attention of the government."
If you wish to support the campaign by giving the three Van Diesel campaign statements a triple X please
enter your details below.
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