Motorcycle fraternity calls for motorists to be mindful of motorbikes
A memorial service for Michael Du Buisson, a Westville resident who was killed in a motorbike accident last Wednesday, will be held at the Westville Baptist Church (opposite the Spar) on Friday, 9 June at 11.30am.
THE number of accidents involving motorbikes and resulting in death highlights the danger of road travel for motorbikers.
Last Wednesday, Michael Du Buisson, (45) was killed when his motorbike collided with a bakkie. Another biker in his 60s died in hospital after he was injured in a serious collision on Main Road in Malvern on Saturday morning.
Popular Queensburgh resident, Danie Fleming, was critically injured after the vehicle he was travelling in collided with a truck on the M19 Durban bound just after the Dunkeld Road on-ramp around 10am on Tuesday, 14 February. He died in hospital the next day.
ALSO READ: Biker dies in Pinetown accident
Choosing a motorbike as a form of transport is economically viable, however, the chances of being involved in an accident and getting seriously hurt or dying, especially in urban areas, is high.
According to Hein Jonker, the founder and chief instructor at the Motorcycle Safety Institute, not every rider goes through the proper procedures to get well-trained and comfortable riding a motorbike before heading out on the road, and in traffic.
He said this increases the risk of injury or death substantially.
“With this dynamic and an uncontrolled environment, incidents or accidents are inevitable. It will not change or improve until we change the way we think or the way we choose to share the road,” said Jonker.
The Motorcycle Safety Institute recorded the number of motorcycle incidents nationally over the last month.
Out of 59 incidents recorded in May, 47 were motor vehicle accidents involving a motorcycle and another vehicle (MVA); 10 were motorbike accidents involving a motorcycle only (MBA); and two involved a motorcycle and a pedestrian (MPA). In all, 12 people died.
ALSO READ: Biker killed in Malvern crash
Du Buisson, a Westville resident, was killed after his motorbike collided with a bakkie at the corner of St Johns Avenue and Beviss Road in Pinetown.
Michael was married to Paula and has two children, Jake (11) and Holly (9).
He was a diesel mechanic for most of his life, and also a professional bodybuilder.
Nicknamed ‘Iron Mike’ or ‘Big Mike’, he represented SA twice at the World Champs and won numerous provincial and national championships and competed in the Arnold Classics.
He was well-known in the gym community.
His best friend, Conrad Marias, described him as a big, friendly, humble man who loved people, gym and socialising.
“Michael would go out of his way to help anyone. He was the type of person who would walk into a room as a stranger and walk out of that same room with tons of friends. He was always happy and always had good things to say about anyone and everything,” said Marias.
“Michael was also a proud father and husband who always spoke highly of his family.”
Michael’s brother-in-law, Lance Rudd, said the family is devastated and battling to come to terms with Michael’s death.
A memorial service for those wanting to pay their respects to Michael will be held at the Westville Baptist Church (opposite the Spar) on Friday, 9 June at 11.30am.
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