The unmistakable roar of a number of Harley-Davidsons can be heard over the Brink in Zuidlaren. Motor club De Meerrieders has gathered its members to take a tour through the area. They are looking forward to it, because it is the first stage of the year.
“Actually, I get a bit nervous in November,” says Ronald Offringa. “But as soon as it is the end of March, everyone wants to step up again. Today we will do that again for the first time this season.”
Motorcycling is popular. Especially in times of corona, more people bought a motorcycle. According to figures from BOVAG, the number of new motorcycles sold in the first half of 2021 was not as high since 2009. According to Offringa, that is understandable. “It’s especially nice and friendly,” he says. “We are not speed drivers either, we drive at a touristic speed. You are much more intensely involved with your environment and with the weather. In the car it mainly goes past you.”
Spot on the radar
But the hobby has a downside, because accidents happen more often at this time of year. According to the Royal Dutch Motorcyclists Association, this is partly due to the fact that other road users are not used to the motorcyclists. “A motorcyclist is just a small dot on the radar comparable to larger traffic,” explains Arjan Everink. He is Head of Traffic and Education at the KNMV. “It also doesn’t help that there are hardly any motorcyclists on the road in the winter. It takes getting used to again.”
Offringa is also aware that he must be extra vigilant these weeks. “I do indeed regularly read on Monday morning that a motorcyclist has crashed. You should always assume that other road users do not see you. That is the safest approach.”