Around the middle of 2005, a number of bikers were using an online forum to discuss the alarming number of unnecessary motorcycle accidents; avoidable accidents caused by inattentiveness, ignorance, incompetence and failure to exercise due care.

The Think Bike sticker campaign started by Tony Day of Cape Town in the eighties and its short life were discussed, and it was decided then and there to revive the campaign and expand on its goals and methods.

The Think Bike Campaign now has in excess of 500 paid-up members, over 3100 forum contributors, dozens of sponsors and has to date distributed over 100 000 leaflets, over 60 000 bumper stickers, and reached literally thousands of motorcyclists and motorists with its message.

The campaign, with a strong presence in Gauteng, has representation in Western Cape, Natal and the Free State. It has dozens of trained marshals available for various events such as the 94.7 Classic Cycle race, the Giro Del Capo and the Cape Argus Pick & Pay Cycle tour and is deeply involved in numerous other projects such as the annual Toy Run.

Why Think Bike?

A number of studies have been done in the past, most notably in the US and UK, that show that an alarming number of motorcycle accidents are directly caused by other vehicles. Being as vulnerable as they are, bikers very often emerge from these avoidable accidents seriously injured, maimed or dead.

It is clear that the accidents we are talking about are the result of ignorance of the issues affecting motorcycles and cyclists. This campaign is intended to help educate the general public about these issues, without pointing fingers or accusing anyone of negligence. We, as bikers, cannot expect motorists to consider our safety if we don't help them understand what the roads are like from our point of view.

The campaign is also aimed at the biking and cycling community, to educate about safety issues and encourage the use of protective clothing.