Coroner's concern at motorbike sale
A CORONER will write to a shop which sold a motorbike to a young rider just weeks before he died in a road accident.
Care assistant Gareth Bowen, from Broadway, Meir, was killed on the A518 The Dove Way, Uttoxeter, on July 2.
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CRASH SCENE: The A518 in Uttoxeter.
A month earlier, the 20-year-old had bought the powerful Suzuki Bandit motorbike from DK Motorcycles, Liverpool Road, Newcastle, which had not been fitted with a power restrictor.
According to motorbike laws, riders under the age of 21 are only allowed on motorbikes with 25 kilowatts of power or less, which equates to about a 250cc bike. More powerful motorbikes must be fitted with a power limiter. Without it, the Suzuki would have had a power output of about 600cc.
According to Mr Bowen's family, the Suzuki was ordered with a limiter, but when he went to pick it up, the safety kit had not arrived.
John Brindley, his uncle and godfather, aged 42, of Stone, said: "The bike should not have left the premises. We have written to trading standards about it."
He said: "He was a lovely lad. A gentle giant."
Yesterday, an inquest at Cannock Coroner's Court heard Mr Bowen died after losing control of his motorbike when an overtaking manoeuvre went wrong.
Witness Paul Archer, who was overtaken by Mr Bowen, said: "It appeared to try to go to the near-side of the car in front and hit the kerb and the rider came off the bike. The bike was travelling at excessive speed and I think while braking he lost control."
Sergeant Neil Mycock, collision investigation officer, said Mr Bowen had probably lost control of his bike due to the speed he was catching up with the car directly in front.
Mr Bowen, below, was catapulted off his bike into a crash barrier, suffering extensive chest injuries and a broken spine.
He spoke to paramedics shortly after the crash, but fell unconscious and was pronounced dead at the scene.
PC Daniel Bingham said police had spoken to DK Motorcycles, but no crime had been committed.
Mr Haig, South Staffordshire coroner, recording a verdict of accidental death, said: "It does appear the speed of the motorbike was a contributory factor. It is likely he was overtaking these cars at a considerable speed.
"I propose writing to DK Motorcycles to seek some assurances it will not sell motorbikes to people without a restrictor. That would appear to be poor practice."
A Trading Standards spokesman said, as the motorcycle itself was not faulty, the agency has decided against pursuing the matter.
He said: "Under the Road Traffic Act there is no offence selling a motorcycle without a restrictor fitted. The offence is driving not in accordance with the driver's licence – driving without a restrictor."
DK Motorcycles declined to comment.
16 Comments
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by rebecca, Fenton
Thursday, January 07 2010, 5:42PM
“Lewis Do you work for DK or have some one that does because no one would make those comments unless you actually feel like we've hit a nerve? Thank you matthew and warren for your comments yes matthew i think you may have done my party thank you for that and picking all our spirits up. and warren i appriciate your comments aswel. Lewis i'm not sure what your problem is but if u have nothing good to comment then just dont bother commenting as you are upsetting gaz's family and they really dont need it ok!”
by matthew, Fenton
Thursday, January 07 2010, 1:11PM
“Am I right in thinking that the acident happened just a week or two before Bekis Birthday? If so im the DJ that did your party. im a Biker to, im in my 20's and ive got a 600. from a bikers point of view it seams like everyone on the roads is trying to knock us off, No one ever wants this to happen what ever the reasons, restrictors, tyres, oil on the road etc. if you are the same family im thinking of your all great people and I bet Gaz was to.”
by Nicola bowen, meir
Wednesday, January 06 2010, 9:38PM
“Like i said lewis keep your opinons to yourself you werent there you didnt know what happend so please keep out of its my brother and bekis boyfriend just leave you dont know the full story dont want to hear no more im very upset.”
by Warren, Meir
Wednesday, January 06 2010, 7:56PM
“Lewis, you are still not thinking dude. Maybe the lad had no other transport. His famley have told you he understood the need for that devise and had asked DK to fit it. He may have needed transport, and in that case, would not have had the choice. You can tell by what he did in lifehe was a good person, he was in care. It seems like he had his head on right and its a sad loss of good lad that could have been avoided, if DK had done the job right.”
by paul gray and mikes mum, meir
Wednesday, January 06 2010, 7:46PM
“gazza has we knew him was an amazing lad he always stop to talk to me in the street he will be so sadly missed by everybody the accident was tragic and should not have happened its a sad day in heaven when a lad like gazza dies r.i.p.gazza you will stay in our hearts forever young m8”
by Lewis, Hanley
Wednesday, January 06 2010, 6:49PM
“Rebecca, Beki, Nicola etc.... Obviously he did take a risk as he drove the bike without the restrictor. Why didnt he wait until the restrictor arrived then to ride the bike?? It was HIS decision to get on that bike, NO ONE ELSES!! Sorry for your loss but it was his choice!”
by Rebecca, fenton
Wednesday, January 06 2010, 5:58PM
“previous comment mainly aimed at Lewis and Kim as i dont think that gaz's family would appriciate you suggesting their son drove recklessly and even maybe took his own life no one in their right mind would take their own llife and gaz cared for many people even people in RTA. He would not of wished this for anyone or himself. It was a accident that MAY i will emphisie MAY have been prevented if a restrictor was fitted as there would not have been the power 2 overtake.”
by Beki, fenton
Wednesday, January 06 2010, 5:51PM
“Can I just say that yes maybe gaz would have drove "at speed" which on many ccasion e overtook me as i was his G/F for 4 years but gaz would never take risks as e new of the consequences. DK motorcycles should not let a 20 year old lad go off their forcourt without a restrictor kit. would a 14 year old lad be allowed to buy a brand new car no so why should it b different for bikes????? No he didn overtake dangerously he had been riding since he was 16 maybe you should make certain comments if you dont no the back ground. IF YOU KNEW GAZ you would no what he was like n how road safe he was but u dnt it was tragic accident that should never happen and until it happens to you. you will never know how it feels. Gaz tried to get a restrictor from DK they were the ones delaying the process they should sort themselves out to avoid other young lads from loosing their lives! May i just point out their are many cars that loose controls due to road conditions etc n also many bikers that are knocked off because off drivers of cars maybe things should be looked at differently and comments should not be said without proper thought as ur words may hurt many People!”
by michael dunn (dunny), talk
Wednesday, January 06 2010, 5:33PM
“i am not a bike person but i like looking at them. The bike should not have left the premises with out the right thingon it as odered as DK Motorcycles r in the wrong It they have done there jobs right thay would have seen that he was only 20 not 21. people need to keep there opions to yourselfs. he was 1 of the best lads u could know so people putting thing on here need to say there sorry to all of his famliy and freands. we all miss u so much m8t R.I.P gaz”
by Claire, Hanley
Wednesday, January 06 2010, 5:17PM
“The whole point of restrictors is to stop this type of accident from happening. Why on earth was this bike sold without them to a young lad?
Restrictors are for new riders to help them gain road experience without being able to go too fast.”