Motorcyclist Brian Austin can remember the day he came off his motorbike as though it happened yesterday.

“I was riding my bike home in the snow,” he says, “and the headlights of an oncoming car seemed to glare at me.

“Before I knew it, I had caught the kerb and gone flying off my bike.

“My body skidded along the pavement, and luckily when I came to rest all I had to show for it was scraped knee caps.”

Mr Austin, who runs Austin’s motorcycles in Malton, says that riding motorbikes offers a tremendous sense of freedom, which he feels is worth the risk of riding on the road.

He said: “It is a fantastic feeling to be on two wheels with the wind in your face, going wherever you choose.

“I think it is worth the risk, because you can choose to be careful.

“It’s the reckless riders who go far too fast and don’t observe the road who get into trouble, but it is possible to reduce the risk of being in an accident.”

Mr Austin says that observation is the most important thing when riding a motorbike.

He said: “If I had a son who has taking up motorcycling, I would tell him that you’ve got to watch all the other vehicles on the road and make allowances for them turning into you or cutting you up.

“You can feel very exposed when everything else on the road is bigger than you, but you’ve just got to keep your wits about you.”

Mr Austin is not the only one advising motorcyclists to take care.

North Yorkshire police’s chief superintendent, Alison Higgins, said: “Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable to the risk of road traffic collisions at this time of year.

“All it takes is for one tyre to lose grip on a damp patch of road or a painted road marking and the consequences can be severe.

“If the weather is cold and wet, it’s very easy for bikers to lose concentration, but it is important to be able to adapt.

“They should make sure they are dressed accordingly and make regular stops to combat fatigue and maintain awareness and reaction times.

“I would advise all bikers to use their common sense.

“If the weather is horrendous and you don’t need to ride, then simply don’t risk it.

“If you decide to venture out on to the roads, drive carefully, reduce speeds and watch your braking distances by leaving extra space between you and the vehicle in front.”

How to to stay safe

* Try to avoid white lines and painted areas in the roads as they tend to be far more slippery than Tarmac in the wet

* Don’t underestimate the power of the wind. Ride more slowly and take extra care when overtaking goods vehicles or travelling on exposed roads

* Watch out for hidden patches of ice or frost, particularly in shaded areas on the road. Snow affects visibility and makes the roads more slippery — avoid altogether if possible

* Make sure visors are clean, not scratched or tinted, and consider buying an insert to prevent misting.Invest in good quality waterproof gloves, jackets, boots and trousers and wear plenty of thin layers to trap body heat

* Double-check the service condition of your bike before you set off. Ensure the lights are working and the headlights are properly adjusted. Make sure tyres are correctly inflated with plenty of tread. Check the brake fluid is above the minimum level and make sure you have enough fuel for the journey and that the petrol tap is not set on reserve.

Ensure the chain is correctly adjusted and lubricated.

Motorcycle accidents in the past month

October 14: A 21-year-old is taken to hospital after hitting another car near Clifton Bridge in York.

October 13: A 23-year-old motorcyclist was in a collision with a silver BMW on the B1363, near Sutton-on-the-Forest, and was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary with head injuries.

October 6: A biker riding a yellow Honda motorbike along the A170 Thirsk to Helmsley road fell from his bike as he was overtaking a line of traffic. He was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary with head injuries.

September 28: A biker riding a red MV Augusta bike swerved to avoid an oncoming car on the B1246 between Pocklington and Warter. He was thrown from his bike, suffered serious internal and leg injuries, and was taken to York Hospital.

September 19: A biker was taken to Scarborough Hospital with a suspected broken collar bone after colliding with a car on Eastgate in Pickering.