The recent semi-public display by the police without consent of pictures of a dead motorbiker killed in 2003 at Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr near Rhuthun has caused some outrage with the deceased’s family and the biking community. It resulted in a 200 strong motor bike protest in Llandudno 10 days ago.
Whether you think the chief constable’s decision to use such graphic images was insensitive, obdurate, callous or cruel; and whether you think him right to tackle issues in this way at all is very much a matter of debate. There may be other ways of hitting the message home.
For no matter what you think of the method, the message needs to be separated and to get out. Rhuthun sees its fair share of weekend and holiday bikers screaming around the area, usually from England, treating the area like a lethal playground. Popular biker routes include the A525 over the Nant-y-Garth pass to the Ponderosa and Bwlch-yr-Oernant/Horeshoe Pass and not least on the twists and turns of the B5105 westwards to Cerrig and on to the A5 and Den’s Diner in Betws-y-Coed. The B5105 was the road along which the biker in question killed himself and seriously injured a motorist, while doing 95 mph with neither licence nor insurance and with a false number plate.
Rhuthun should welcome *careful* bikers. Like any visitor, they spend the tourist pound and may just decide to come back with their families. It is sad that many, though, have only one thing on their mind and the misery they can cause to themselves, to others and in particular the untold bereavement and loss that comes with a premature death or serious injury can cost up to £1.6mil per incident, if today’s Daily Post is to be believed. Not that you can put a price on a life.
And how often have you noticed bikers taking risks on substandard roads? Overtaking while facing on-coming traffic? Overtaking where there is limited vision? Ignoring speed limits in urban and rural situations? Tailgating? If you live in or around Rhuthun, this is sadly all too common, especially between late April and the end of September.
Our chief constable has to take this seriously, for our sakes. He has a duty to do so. Whether he’s done so sensibly or justifiably is the difficult question.
Whether you think the chief constable’s decision to use such graphic images was insensitive, obdurate, callous or cruel; and whether you think him right to tackle issues in this way at all is very much a matter of debate. There may be other ways of hitting the message home.
For no matter what you think of the method, the message needs to be separated and to get out. Rhuthun sees its fair share of weekend and holiday bikers screaming around the area, usually from England, treating the area like a lethal playground. Popular biker routes include the A525 over the Nant-y-Garth pass to the Ponderosa and Bwlch-yr-Oernant/Horeshoe Pass and not least on the twists and turns of the B5105 westwards to Cerrig and on to the A5 and Den’s Diner in Betws-y-Coed. The B5105 was the road along which the biker in question killed himself and seriously injured a motorist, while doing 95 mph with neither licence nor insurance and with a false number plate.
Rhuthun should welcome *careful* bikers. Like any visitor, they spend the tourist pound and may just decide to come back with their families. It is sad that many, though, have only one thing on their mind and the misery they can cause to themselves, to others and in particular the untold bereavement and loss that comes with a premature death or serious injury can cost up to £1.6mil per incident, if today’s Daily Post is to be believed. Not that you can put a price on a life.
And how often have you noticed bikers taking risks on substandard roads? Overtaking while facing on-coming traffic? Overtaking where there is limited vision? Ignoring speed limits in urban and rural situations? Tailgating? If you live in or around Rhuthun, this is sadly all too common, especially between late April and the end of September.
Our chief constable has to take this seriously, for our sakes. He has a duty to do so. Whether he’s done so sensibly or justifiably is the difficult question.