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Dear resident For safer motorcycling in the UK during autumn, riders should pay close attention to weather-related road hazards, reduced visibility, and proper gear. Riders should also adjust their technique to handle the seasonal conditions. Road hazards and riding techniques Slippery surfaces: Wet leaves, mud, and road spills become significant hazards when wet, especially in shady, damp areas and on rural roads.- Reduce your speed and ride cautiously, especially when cornering.
- Avoid riding over wet manhole covers, painted road markings, or areas with an accumulation of leaves, as these can reduce your traction.
Reduced grip: Cooler temperatures mean tyres take longer to warm up and offer optimum grip.- Ease into your ride, giving your tyres time to warm before leaning the bike hard into corners.
Frost and ice: Early mornings in late autumn can bring frost and ice, especially on bridges and in shaded areas that don't get much sun.- Check the forecast before you set off and postpone your ride if ice is predicted.
Unpredictable wildlife: Autumn is the mating season for many animals, such as deer, making them more active near roads, particularly at dawn and dusk.- Stay alert, especially in rural or forested areas, and slow down to give yourself time to react.
Sudden gusts of wind: Strong, blustery winds can blow you off course.- Loosen your grip and keep your speed down, holding the handlebars firmly to prepare for gusts.
Motorcycle and gear preparation Improve visibility: Days are shorter and darker, and low-lying sun can cause significant glare for other road users.- Wear high-visibility and reflective gear, like a fluorescent jacket, to make yourself stand out.
- Check and clean all your lights and lenses regularly.
Dress for the weather: Fluctuating temperatures and wind chill mean staying warm and dry is critical for maintaining concentration.- Layer up: Wear moisture-wicking base layers, an insulating mid-layer, and a waterproof outer shell.
- Keep extremities warm: Invest in insulated, waterproof gloves and boots. Heated grips can also make a big difference.
- Prevent visor fogging: Use anti-fog spray to keep your vision clear in damp conditions.
Maintain your bike: Seasonal checks are vital for safety and performance.- Tyres: Aim for at least 3mm of tread for better water dispersion. Check your tyre pressure weekly, as it can drop in colder weather. Allow extra time for cold tyres to warm up.
- Battery: Cold weather can drain batteries faster. Keep your battery charged, especially if you ride infrequently.
- Weatherproof: Apply an anti-corrosion spray to protect vulnerable metal parts from moisture and road salt.
Rider awareness and skills Increase following distance: Your braking distance will increase on wet and slippery roads. Leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front.Know your route: Plan your ride around the limited daylight hours. Consider having a backup route in case of road closures due to fallen branches or flooding.Scan ahead: Continuously look for changing conditions and hazards such as potholes hidden by leaves or standing water.Plan for being unseen: Assume that other motorists may not see you, especially with low sun glare, and position yourself deliberately to be visible.Rider awareness skills in the UK are about defensive riding, which involves observing the environment, anticipating hazards, and planning your actions well in advance to stay safe on the road. Key skills include constant scanning, commentary riding (saying what you see out loud) to maintain focus, and understanding how weather and road conditions affect your ride. Enhancing awareness helps you avoid dangerous situations by being proactively in control and not just reacting. West Mercia BikeSafeWest Mercia Police are fully committed to promoting and delivering BikeSafe to riders from Shropshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire. The natural beauty of the force area lends itself to motorcycle riding and our aim is to provide qualified riders with extra training that our small team of experienced police motorcyclist’s and qualified observers will deliver. West Mercia have over a 100 serious injury collisions involving motorcycles every year and want to promote BikeSafe as one of our strands of education to help reduce the number of casualties. Riders from the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), provide support with the delivery of our BikeSafe courses. Hopefully you will be able to build on the experience and have a safer, more enjoyable biking future. Useful links BikeSafe - the UK's #1 police-led motorcycle safety & skills initiative Take the DVSA enhanced rider scheme assessment and training - GOV.UK Motorcycling – THINK! Motorcycle Safety UK Guide: Tips for Riders [2025 Update] Ride safe everyone! | 
