Potholes seem to be the scourge of Great Britain, our roads are more akin to a Third World war zone than a peaceful developed nation.
The AA recently advised drivers to avoid puddles after a record month for pothole-damage related call outs. Of course the danger for riders far outweighs the problems for motorists and hitting an unexpected hole can be potentially fatal.
Specialist scooter and motorcycle insurer, Lexham Insurance carried out its own research to find the best and worst roads in the country. A quick snapshot of their findings reveals…
- The North East comes out on top, with 96% of motorways, B and C roads not currently needing to be considered for improvement according to 2023 reports – the fewest of all regions across the country
- The North East also took the top spot for having the fewest amber and red classified roads compared to the rest of the country
- Data suggests that roads in the East Midlands may require the most improvement, with over a third (38%) of A roads classified as amber or red, as well as 42% of B and C roads
As 1 in 5 bikers claim to have sustained damage as a result of hitting a pothole, Brett Tinkley from Lexham adds, “While we all like to think we’ll see bigger potholes coming with enough time to get around them, the truth is that some of the UK’s roads are so riddled with issues that you’re often looking at a choice between a bad route ahead and an even worse one.”
1-in-5 claims are pothole related
While poor road conditions are a hazard for all motorists, Brett Tinkley (pictured below), Lexham Insurance’s marketing manager explains why having a smooth surface to ride on is especially important for us riders, as 1 in 5 claim to have had an accident or sustained damage to their bike as a result of hitting a pothole, “Riding over potholes isn’t just uncomfortable – it can do lasting damage to your tyres and suspension, and in more severe cases can even result in a jolt so hard that you’re thrown from your bike.
“While we all like to think we’ll see bigger potholes coming with enough time to get around them, the truth is that some of the UK’s roads are so riddled with issues that you’re often looking at a choice between a bad route ahead and an even worse one. Unless you’re in the North East, that is, where we’ve learned that bikers have the best chance of having a much smoother journey!”
North East safer and smoother
Lexham Insurance’s rankings also found that the North East experiences fewer motorcyclist casualties overall than the rest of England, and is joint safest (alongside Scotland) when considering ONS casualty figures per 1,000 bikers – making it a perfect location for bikers who may still be wary on the road.
Motorcyclists are advised to take precautions such as wearing the correct gear, staying alert for potential hazards, and having the right insurance policy in place to ensure safety on the road.
Find out more at Bike Matters
Lexham Insurance recently ranked regions across the UK to discover the best spots for motorcyclists. These included the best region for the biker communities and the place most likely to give motorcyclists rain-free rides.
Visit the Bike Matters blog to read Lexham Insurance’s regional rankings in full.
Local knowledge
I’m from the East Midlands and agree that our roads are terrible. Just outside my office this morning, a lad crashed his bike on black ice caused by bad drainage at a notorious junction nicknamed “Severn Trent Corner.” One mile from here over 25 cars (that I know of) have been damaged already this wekk by a very deep and dangerous pothole that on one single night last winter claimed 28 cars!
Creative ways
Almost half of respondents to an RAC survey earlier this year cited the condition of their local roads as their biggest motoring concern. Local residents in some areas are sharing their discontent with potholes in increasingly creative ways. It is clear that potholes are causing a major issue across the nation – something North Eastern motorcyclists may have less to worry about compared to other regions across the UK. Similarly, Yorkshire and the Humber and the West Midlands claim some of the lowest numbers of red and amber-classified roads in the country.
Report a pothole
If you spot a nasty hole you can report it quite quickly online by using the following link – Report a pothole. Once reported, Highways England has to act within a reasonable amount of time, although chucking a bucket of tarmac in and tramping it down isn’t often a longterm solution.
Taking in the View – Life from a Scooter By Mark Bennett
Just in time for a Christmas stocking filler, Mark Bennett’s new book has just landed. He’s a lifelong scooterist with a story to tell and I’m sure it’s one many of us can relate to.
You can get your copy for £13.99 through the SLUK Shop right now!
