8.2.1 Traffic calming measures are very effective in reducing the number of injury accidents, especially in residential areas, and in polarising public opinion about their desirability. Motorcyclists are no more exempt from the intended effects of traffic calming than any other road user.

However, they can also suffer disproportionately from unintended effects, often safety-related, which then undermine the casualty-reducing purpose of installing traffic calming measures in the first place.

These unintentionally adverse safety effects stem from issues that can be grouped under three headings: design; materials and maintenance.

The key point to remember is that riding a motorcycle is a permanent balancing act and that the vehicle has only two small tyre “footprints” to provide grip.