‘Stop 14-year-olds riding motorbikes, tax fatty foods and scrap duty-free alcohol’
Wednesday 21st October 2009, 2:29PM BST.
LOCAL legislation needs to be changed to prevent 14-year-olds from riding motorbikes, according to a health report released yesterday.
Public health director Stephen Bridgman made the recommendation following the high number of young motorcyclists hospitalised between 1997 and 2008.
During the period, 87 14-year-olds, 67 15-year-olds and 38 16-year-olds were admitted to accident and emergency following a road traffic accident involving a motorbike.
‘There is a major risk in young people riding motorbikes,’ said Dr Bridgman.
‘It indicates that there is a need to come into line with other countries.’
He said the figures presented a stark picture.
‘To protect young people I think we should seriously look at the issues around motorbikes and consider other means of transport.’
The report’s other recommendations included measures to tackle obesity and alcohol abuse.
One of these was to tackle how high energy foods were marketed, by considering a tax on foods that were associated with obesity.
In a Guernsey Healthy Lifestyle Survey completed in 2008, one in five men and close to one in five women, were obese.
Two thirds of women aged 55 to 64 were overweight or obese.
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Thats only 7/8 14yr olds each year. If you think the CBT Course passes probably that number a week. I really dont see how that is seen as a high number, Ideally there would be 0.But that will never happen. The report also doesn’t say whether it was a serious injury, or just a few scrathes & bruises.
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So once again we see statistics being used to try and prove a point. But what they do not say is how many of these accidents were caused by other road users e.g car drivers pedal cyclists and or pedestrians. To highlight his statement we see words such as The High Number also Major risk and Stark picture… all to scare the reader into thinking that he is right. I dont understand why there is a need to come into line with other countries Guernsey laws seem to work alright for the rest of the community.They did for me when I rode a Motorbike at 14 perhaps he should look at taking old people off the roads at he same time, as statistics could also prove that a large number of accidents are also caused by them. Oh and by the way I am not obese I am just a bit larger than Mr average weight, but then again who said the world ain’t perfect
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GsyGal
It could be 0, if they raised the age!
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What about drivers over 65, how many accidents did they cause, how about banning all sports they cause 1000′s of A&E visits – Although it would be nice to have 0 accidents, given the amount of time that youngsters spend on the roads this number is probably extremely low
As for being classed as overweight – well I’m a tall thin healthy chap trapped inside a short overweight unfit body!!
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Chris I agree, another import saying he knows what we need.
I started riding when I was 14, when you could ride a 100cc bike. My first accident was a car whos driver said ‘I didn’t see you’ it’s not always the riders fault. the sooner drivers wake up, stop phoning, texting, eating, doing their make up while driving the sooner the we all will be safer on the roads.
If you ride a bike you are aware of the dangers on the road, you look out for them, however I still get cars pull out in front of me, thats on a giant trailly with lights on.
Give the 14 year olds back the right to ride 100cc bikes, which can stop and accelerate, at least then they will have a better chance of taking avoiding action.
Dr Bridgman wants us to take more exercise, thats fine! in addition to riding motorbikes, i also ride push bikes, cars have no respect for them either.
may be we are onto something! it is not the bikes that are the problem but the cars! ban the car, then people have to walk, cycle or use motorbikes, less 14 & 16 year olds would be injured, more people would take exercise!!
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Statistics can offer humourous twists on logic…try this one… 18% of all road accidents are caused by drunk drivers….therefore the remaining 82% of accidents are caused by sober drivers….if we banned all sober drivers there would be fewer accidents.
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The Man – I’m not so sure you would remove those accidents, just delay them a few years. I wonder, are these accidents due to the age of the rider, or the level of experience. Notice for example how the number of accidents decreases with age – or in my view more likely riding experience. Those who are 16 have likely had a couple of years riding experience so are more competent. I don’t think that a 16 year old is any more capable of learning how to ride than a 14 year old.
As a final point, the world is full of risks and we can’t cotton wool people forever. A 14 year old is perfectly capable of handling a low powered motorcycle.
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Paul le P, If accidents are reduced by experience and not by age, then by that logic we should let 10 year olds ride motorcycles. In fact, why not 7 year olds? No, common sense tells us that 18 year olds have more common sense and self-control than 14 year olds, which is a good reason why we are cautious about putting children in charge of dangerous machines.
And you say ” A 14 year old is perfectly capable of handling a low powered motorcycle.”
Well, a 14 year old is also perfectly capable of handling a bicycle. And a bicycle is:
1. adequate for travel round a small island
2. cheaper
3. better for the environment
4. less noisy
5. better for physical fitness and reducing obesity.
I would imagine it is probably less likely to result in a serious accident, since a bicycle travels a bit slower and there’s no ability to speed substantially (the recent child road death involving teenage motorcyclists being a tragic example of this). But I have no figures to back up this hypothesis.
Even so, the first 5 reasons sound good enough to me and I support Stephen Bridgman’s proposal to raise the age of riding motorcycles from 14.
As a 14 year old I would have loved to ride a motorcycle around. I would have loved to fly a jet and drive a sports car as well. I’m very glad that society, run by responsible adults, didn’t let me do those things.
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Paul
My comment was a slightly tongue in cheek response.
However, yes a 14 year old has the ability to handle a low powered motorbike, but most 14 year olds also have less sense of the consequences of their actions.
Added to that, for all the kids (and they are still kids) that follow the highway code and drive safely there will always be on the ones who are out to impress their mates and riding round in packs concentrating more on looking good than whats going on around them.
Last year I was behind a (thankfully minor) accident where a kid crashed into the back of a stopped car because he was busy laughing and joking with the moped next to him.
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I agree that 14 is too young to ride a motorbike.
But that’s it. The rest of what he said is utter cobblers. Methinks a job justification excercise.
Tax cabbages because if eaten in excess will cause obesity. And global warming.
A bag of crisps once a week, however, will not.
A very silly report.
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At least you don’t see 14 year old motor cyclists
riding on pavemants, the wrong way up one way roads or against red traffic lights as you do with cyclists. 14 is not to young to ride a 50cc bike or scooter. Also a survey was carried out all be it not in Guernsey that two thirds of accidents involving motor cycles was caused by other road users. It would not surprise me if it was the same here. I suppose James that you cycle everywhere and don’t have a car give the kids a break
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As a motorcycle rider I cringe whenever I see a scooter with L plates on tailgating a car (with no chance in hell of stopping should the car stop suddenly) or riding with their feet down. I suspect some of this is because increasingly people haven’t ridden a cycle due to being ferried everywhere in a car.
Not only that but very few seem to wear gloves, boots or even protective jackets. I can’t blame them I suppose, I see enough foolish motorbike riders in shorts and t-shirts speeding around the place. Even at 20mph you will do significant damage to yourself while sliding down the road…
If people can’t be bothered to wear the correct equipment they shouldn’t be riding motorbikes at all.
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Hi James
“Well, a 14 year old is also perfectly capable of handling a bicycle. And a bicycle is:
1. adequate for travel round a small island
2. cheaper
3. better for the environment
4. less noisy
5. better for physical fitness and reducing obesity.
….
Even so, the first 5 reasons sound good enough to me and I support Stephen Bridgman’s proposal to raise the age of riding motorcycles from 14.”
I could replace the age of 14 to pretty much any age between 14 and 75 and each of your five reasons would still be accurate. Should we therefore also stop adults riding motorbikes, or driving cars?
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So 14 is to young to ride a motor cycle, what a load of rubbish the only thing a young person cant do is treat every person with 4 or more wheels under them as complete idiots.Most drivers seem to think a yellow line means stop when your steering wheel is above it,wrong its when your bumper is above it,and your wheels must stop rolling.Answering the phone thats another one, smoking at the wheel,drinking,playing with your music system wake up the lot of you,its easy to feel warm and relaxed in a car etc,if everybody had to do time on 2 wheels it might make them better drivers with more road sense.Yes I do ride a bike and drive a car,van,and every day I have to take avoiding action because some people cant drive properly.If your on 2 wheels treat everybody with caution, there out to GET YOU on purpose or by stupidity.
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Gilthead – “…the rest is cobblers.”?!? Why is 14 too young to ride a motorbike? Is it because they lack the experience, common sense and knowledge to ride sensibly? What about those people who lack the experience, common sense and knowledge to eat and drink sensibly?
They’re the ones littering the North Plantation at 3am, or at Checkers with the ‘family’ packs of crisps, pies and mars bars.
Doesn’t an educated society have a duty of care to protect these people too?
Forget simple hospitalisations, I’d wager that Guernsey has had way more than 192 deaths in the last 10 years from alcoholism and/or obesity and it’s only going to get worse. The future of healthcare will be all about nutrition and what we put in our bodies.
(The NHS will be publishing a study shortly that shows that life expectancies have peaked. Those born today will be the first generation for centuries to have a shorter life than their parents. This is solely due to lifestyle – poor nutrition and not exercising)
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Hi The Man
“Last year I was behind a (thankfully minor) accident where a kid crashed into the back of a stopped car because he was busy laughing and joking with the moped next to him.”
Couldn’t help but chuckle here mate….had visions of some lad chatting to a moped – the Knight Rider of the moped generation?!
Perhaps you meant to write “muppet” ? ;-)
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Not sure if the rules cover this already having never driven a scooter or motorbike myself but how about banning side by side driving? or making the speed limit lower until they are older? or ban overtaking a moving vehicle? the last point having certain exceptions such as for overtaking bicycles, tractors or “electronic wheelchairs”!
I always look out for bikes/scooter etc but they have to admit that they have chosen to drive a vehicle which is hard to see, no matter how vigilant other drivers are, and drive accordingly.
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Paul
A talking Moped…..
I’ll agree to split all royalties with you 50:50. Any suggestions for a name?? I’ll start with
CRUD
“Car Replacement (for) Underage Dieters”
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Student Bob
So what foods are you going to tax? Which was my point. What is unhealthy? What is going to be banned?
Take an Italian Super Mercato – shed loads of fresh fruit and veg and……more salami than you’ve ever seen before. And wine. And beer. Is there an obesity or major alcohol problem in Italy? Nope. Or France. Nope.
Its a society problem I’m afraid. Or if you prefer a cultural and lifestyle issue. By targeting foods that “cause obesity” you will treat the symptom not the cause.
Oh and as under 16′s are not allowed to have sex it would seem sensible that they should not be let anywhere near a motorbike as this requires even more dexterity.
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@The Man – go with that name. I’ll be generous since it was your idea, I’ll only take 25%
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Gilthead, a tax based on the percentage of saturated fats, salt and sugar in a product. Simples. It’s all information that is already printed on the packaging!
Italy has as much of a youth obesity problem as the UK (according to the International Obesity Taskforce, 2008). But I take your point, and I agree that it is primarily a lifestyle or cultural problem. I’m sure we all did home economics at school, and healthy eating is on the current national curriculum, but obviously education isn’t working is it?
The great Guernsey public need to make a lifestyle change and embrace healthy eating. I can’t think of a better catalyst for this change than a junk food tax. Can you?
Finally, I love your closing comment!! If riding a motorbike is more challenging than sex, I offer my sympathies to Mrs Gilthead!!
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James
“Paul le P, If accidents are reduced by experience and not by age, then by that logic we should let 10 year olds ride motorcycles. In fact, why not 7 year olds? No, common sense tells us that 18 year olds have more common sense and self-control than 14 year olds, which is a good reason why we are cautious about putting children in charge of dangerous machines.”
Sorry to disappoint you but the starting age for the automatic class at motocross is 6 years old.
I guess your take on that is that the parents of those kids (including me) to unacceptable risks with their childs health and welfare?
Perhaps you should come to the next motocross meeting (Saturday 24th October) and see for yourself….
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Good point Peter. Also, let’s not forget that top motor racing drivers often start their careers at an early age driving karts. New F1 champion Jenson Button and our very own Andy Priaulx both started karting at 8 years old – the minimum age allowed by the FIA.
In fact, surely there’s a case that the earlier you teach children responsible usage of appropriately powered vehicles, the more they will understand the risks of motor vehicles, as well as developing driving skills. Result – safer are more capable drivers when they eventually hit the roads.
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Student Bob
I didn’t say it was more difficult just a little more complicated!!! Perhaps I’m a better lover than a motorcyclist… One for Mrs Gilthead.
No – you are right, really bad foods should be controlled somehow – I just don’t think tax is the answer.
I also used the Italian analogy as I go there a lot. Most families actually cook “healthy” meals every day – very rarely pre made meals, or anything pre prepared in fact (other than pasta).
So my orginal post was right – all foods can make you fat if you eat too much! Simples.
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“There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics” (Disralie).’
Does the new health director take any risks in life. Life is one big risk and our children need to learn how to risk assess. Should we ban climbing trees, swimming in the sea without coastguards, horse riding, trampolining, sailing; sport of any kind, having fun, living …..
This report would have made more sense if it was placed in context. 192 people between the ages of 14-16 required treatment in A&E over an 11 year period: that is 17.45 a year or 1.45 per month. That is not a MAJOR risk. Were they all badly injured or did they just have scratches/bruises? What would have made more sense was to report on the types of things people did attend A&E for as a whole. I would bet that alcohol fueled far more accidents – as probably did accidents in the park or children playing generally (shall we ban playing). How many adults had accidents in cars/motorbikes over the same period and what about comparison of injuries: i.e. did they stay in hospital as opposed to patching up and being sent home? How many workplace accidents did the island have; how many people attended through drug abuse; depression; domestic abuse; assault; sport?
We need to teach our children right from wrong; how to behave sensibly and the consequences if they don’t – not just ban things because they may cause harm ….. because in the majority of cases they do not!
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Ban everything that gives people enjoyment.
Living the rest of our lives in total misery might actually be worth it if it gets the health police off our backs
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Sorry CD I don’t think that would work, as misery isn’t good for your health either!
With your permission I’d like to propose an alternative solution: ban the health police and replace them with a policy of everything in moderation.
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I’m sorry but I’m fed up of picking kids up that have had accidents on their scooters… Raise the age to 16… please.
And please note the stats give are for the ones that get taken to hospital. The number that have accidents is one hell of a lot higher.
They are safer on push bikes.
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Lets compile a report into Accidents in the work place, then ban that, happy days are here to stay!
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Excellent idea Golden Brown, I may well “accidently” trip up over a desk to help your cause!
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Hey,
im 15 and started riding when i was 14.
I dont think there is anything wrong with it, well i wouldn’t, but i’d, like to bring up a few points again. Firstly, ask any motorbiker and they will tell you that being on 2 wheels makes you more cautious.
I’ve been riding for just over a year now and i’ve had 3 accidents, none of them with cars.
1.Van parked almost in middle of cross roads as i came round the corner doing about 25 in a 35 zone, had to break hard and went straight over a man hole cover ( i think all of them should be tarmaced )
2. wet leaves as pulling out to over take stationary car
3. oil spilage on the see fornt, i was the one who discovered it, had about 2 months physiotherapy for my knee
After being on the roads for a year i am SO much more careful. Just from being a biker you look for everything, cars pulling out, speed of other cars, what drivers are doing, the speed your doing, distance from the car in front. I was awful at first, but from experience i’d live to think that i am a good rider, i don’t try and pull stupid tricks i get from a to b with the speed limits.
I’ll be kicked for this but as a rider @ 15 i don’t think it should go back to 100cc. Me and most my friends are sensible whilst riding but there will ALWAYS be those careless/stupid people who decide to not be careful. 50ccs can go fast enough and still be legal, there no need for 100ccs.
I agree with pretty much everything that has been said against raising the age limit, but hated that comment about being tired of picking up kids who’ve had accidents with scooters!
Naughty Boy, i can’t believe you let that 4×4 plough into you like that!! It’s not always our fault, the amount of times cars have just decided to pull out when looking into my eyes then stop halfway into the road is ridiculous, they give me a wave for letting them out! Come on, it was either break hard or risk my life.
Most 14yr olds are sensible enough to ride but yeah there are some that are not. I don’t think raising the limit stops this, i think that to solve this we need to have a, not harder, but more indepth CBT test and i also think that its about experience.
Also, i’m not the thinest of people, but thats my fault, not my mum or dad’s and taxing wont help at all, it just means we’ll be spending slightly more money instead.
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