One bend, one mistake

A young motorcyclist has bravely chosen to share footage of a collision he was involved in, in the hope it will encourage other riders to think twice before taking unnecessary risks on the road.

On the afternoon of Saturday 25 April, 22-year-old Harry* was riding home on the A1122 near Nordelph after spending the day socialising with friends. As he approached a bend at speed, he lost control of his motorbike, narrowly avoiding oncoming traffic. He was thrown from the bike into the road, while the motorcycle left the carriageway and came to rest in a nearby ditch.

Remarkably, Harry escaped with only minor cuts and bruises. His survival was partly due to wearing the appropriate protective equipment, including a suitable helmet and leathers.

Now, Harry has chosen to share the footage of the incident to highlight how quickly things can go wrong, particularly for less experienced or younger riders.

The video forms part of our support for the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) two-wheel campaign this June, which focuses on reducing risk and improving safety for motorcyclists and cyclists. The campaign, which beings today and lasts for two weeks, aims not only to encourage riders to make safer choices, but also to remind other drivers of their responsibility to remain vigilant and look out for more vulnerable road users.

Attending officer, PC Alex Williams said: “I’m really grateful the rider walked away with only minor injuries. It could easily have been much worse — just a split second or a small change in position could have made a huge difference. The safety gear he was wearing clearly took a big hit and likely prevented something far more serious.

“I won’t forget when his dad arrived after getting an alert on his phone. Before I could even reassure him, you could see the worst was already going through his mind.

“This crash involved two groups we sadly see at higher risk of harm: motorcyclists and young or inexperienced drivers. There are lots of reasons for that, but with younger drivers, things like peer pressure can play a part — and that can have serious consequences.

“We attend serious collisions like this far too often. While every crash is different, the basics always matter: drive to the conditions, put your phone away, wear a seatbelt, and don’t drive under the influence.

These incidents don’t just affect those involved — they impact families, friends, and whole communities. So think about the people waiting for you at home, and how it would feel for them to get that knock on the door to say you have been seriously injured or aren’t coming home. We all have a role in keeping the roads safe.”

Every person using the road network, whether behind the wheel, on two wheels, or on foot, has a critical role to play in preventing life-changing and fatal collisions.

Drivers are being urged to:

• Look twice and expect to see motorcyclists and cyclists, especially at junctions and roundabouts
• Give vulnerable road users space, allowing safe distances when overtaking
• Check mirrors and blind spots carefully before turning or changing lanes
• Exercise patience on rural roads, where hazards and visibility issues are common

Motorcyclists are reminded to:

• Carry out essential pre-ride safety checks, including tyres, lights, oil and fuel
• Ensure MOTs are valid and bikes are roadworthy
• Wear appropriate protective gear at all times
• Ride to road and weather conditions, particularly where winter damage has left surfaces compromised
• Allow extra time for journeys and anticipate hazards

We would recommend any rider, no matter how experienced, to consider participating in a 'Bikesafe’ workshop. The scheme comprises a series of downloads to keep, a two-and-a-half hour evening session and a five-hour road session. Riders will be introduced to the Police Roadcraft system - the corner stone of police riding.

The workshop provides individuals with professional advice and confirms their strengths and identifies their weaknesses as a rider. During the road session you will receive a demonstration ride by a police rider and there will be an opportunity to have your riding assessed with constructive feedback.

More information can be found here: BikeSafe in Norfolk - BikeSafe

*Please note that names have been changed.