Motorcyclists are only too aware of the slippery nature of manhole covers. The raised studs become polished over time by heavy traffic. Add to that rainwater, spilt diesel and covers located on the riding line and you have a lethal combination.

Thankfully a new type of manhole cover has been developed and recently launched by Saint-Gobain Pipelines called Grip Top™. Apparently they are Europe’s biggest manufacturer of access covers and road gratings. The Grip Top™ manhole cover was developed to provide excellent skid resistance.

Following lobbying of Bristol City Council by the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), the covers have been trialled in Bristol for the past two years and the council were very happy with the results reporting that “there were no incidences of failure and there was no need for further treatment despite heavy traffic”. Further they see it as making a positive contribution to the quality and safety of road surfaces.

MAG Campaign Manager, David Short, said, “This marks a major improvement for motorcycle safety and demonstrates the collective influence MAG has in effecting change to improve motorcycling”.