Two Wheels London is always on the side of bikers – except when drinking and riding is concerned.

This week sees the Department for Transport launch its Christmas drink-driving/riding campaigns, so it’s a good time to remind all bikers of the dangers of riding after having a drink – or taking recreational drugs of any kind, either.

This year’s THINK! Drink Riding campaign is tagged ‘Drink a Little. Risk a Lot,’ and focuses on the far-reaching consequences of drinking and riding – whether it’s losing our licences, impacting on social freedoms, or risking injury to ourselves or our mates.

Even a small amount of alcohol can have devastating effects. The tagline emphasises how even one drink can lead to major risks, challenging perceptions around so-called "safe" limits.

 

The risks in numbers:

• 16 to 24-year-olds account for 24% of casualties in collisions where one party is over the limit.

• 68% of casualties in bike crashes where the rider is over the limit are male.

• Half of young male riders admit they underestimate the impact of even small amounts of alcohol.

 

Did you know?

Research reveals that young men are most influenced by the ‘laddering’ effect – how one poor decision can trigger a series of escalating consequences, from losing their licence to causing physical harm or losing social freedoms.

The THINK! Campaign highlights how one bad choice on a night out may not just inconvenience your life - it could change it forever.

So when it’s time to relax, have fun and do a bit of socialising, no doubt with a drink or two… where does that leave our beloved bikes?

At home. There is only one rule for the road if you ride two wheels: either leave the bike at home, or stick to soft drinks. Riding bikes and drinking are like whiskey and coke; two things that should never be mixed.

 

Why the worry…?

Alcohol and recreational drugs are a bike rider’s kryptonite: they lessen our skills, reduce our powers and reflexes, and affect our ability.

 

Here’s a list of the things alcohol affects…

JUDGMENT: The ability to make sound and responsible decisions.

CONCENTRATION: The ability to shift attention from one point of action to another.

COMPREHENSION: The ability to understand situations, signs and signals.

CO-ORDINATION: The ability to co-ordinate motor skills.

VISION & HEARING: We lose perception, depth and clarity of vision.

REACTION TIME: Ability to see and understand a situation, then take action.

 

Whichever way you look at it, riding and drinking just don’t go together.

If you fancy letting your hair down and having a drinking this Christmas, remember, that’s why Greater London has such good public transport! Hop on a Tube instead!

But if you do have a drink, remember the effects will still be with you the morning after. Every year plenty of people do the right thing by leaving their bikes at home for a night out, only to still be over the limit the next morning.

If you do party this Christmas, it’s always a good idea to apply an old RAF adage from the Second World War: ‘Leave 24 hours between bottle and throttle.’