Have you noticed that Britain seems to be in the grip of a new form of mania? I refer to the all too numerous 'Initiatives', 'Projects', 'Partnerships' and 'Action Groups', which seem to spring up on an almost daily basis. For the most part these things are set up by well meaning people who, all too often, rush into these things without giving any thought to the effect they will have on other people. A prime example was brought to the attention of the NABD recently by the NABD representative for Kent, Gary Tompkins.
The Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership, (comprising of Kent County Council, Medway Council, The Highways Agency, Kent Police, and Kent Magistrates' Courts Service), is a project set up to try to "reduce death and serious injuries on Kent and Medway's roads". A good cause if ever I heard one.
The problem is that they have chosen a very odd way to get their message across to bikers in a series of leaflets they have recently produced. One shows a picture of a man in a wheelchair holding a crash helmet with his wife and young son behind him. The headline on the leaflet says "BIKERS! How will he keep up now?"
Another leaflet shows the international disability symbol (the one that looks like a stick man in a wheelchair) with a motorcycle crash helmet on it, and the headline says "Bikers! New wheels for the rest of your life..."
Both leaflets carry the sub text "Bikers run a high risk of ending up dead or disabled. Particularly those aged 30 to 50." Another leaflet makes the claim that "79% of motorcycle crashes are primarily the fault of the rider". 
The picture this paints of bikers is to say the very least misleading and offensive. Not only is this offensive to bikers but we find it offensive to disabled people, and doubly so for disabled bikers. The vast majority of disabled riders in the
3,500+ membership of the NABD are disabled due to no fault of their own. If taxpayer's money is to be used to fund these types of campaign surely it should be done without this sort of insulting propaganda. Rarely have we seen a more badly thought out campaign.
The NABD will be making representations to The Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership to get them to withdraw these leaflets and to convince them to work more closely with motorcyclists in any future projects aimed at bikers. We will also be requesting backing on this issue from MAG and the BMF. 
If you too find this style of campaign to be offensive you can contact Anne Mariej Penny, Kent County Council Road Safetyl on 01622 605820 or e-mail her at;' anne-marie.penny@kent.gov.uk alternatively you can contact them via their web site www.kentandmedwaysafetycameras.org.uk 
As to "How will-he keep up now?" Well he could contact the NABD and join the hundreds of wheelchair users who still ride safely and independently. 
'Disabled people run a high risk of becoming bikers. Particularly if they ignore this sort of and hiking propaganda and contact the NABD!'

Rick Hulse