IT IS a shocking scene that is being witnessed with increasing frequency on our roads. Heaps of barely recognisable metal and ambulance sirens blaring as motorists try to edge their way around the carnage.

Latest police figures reveal that there have already been more motorbike fatalities in the county so far this year than there were in the whole of 2006.

This week 27-year-old biker Mark Bettinson, of Bitterne, Southampton, was killed instantly after he lost control of his machine and crashed into a safety barrier in the French Alps.

He was planning to propose to his girlfriend on his return from the week-long tour of Europe. It is not yet known how the accident happened.

As the tragic deaths continue to hit the headlines, bikers continue to be cast as the reckless party who continually put themselves - and others - at risk.

But do the motorcyclists themselves deserve so much of the blame? And is it not up to all road-users to share responsibility for the growing problem?

"The biggest problem I face when I am on a bike is the people who don't see you because they are more concerned with other things," said the Daily Echo's motorcycle correspondent Tony Long.

"Cars, trucks, buses, coaches, even other bikes... Other road-users are the biggest threat when you are on a bike.

"I used to be an instructor and I said, treat everyone like they are going to kill you. If they don't it's a nice surprise'."

For Tony it is incredibly frustrating when non-bike riders label motorcycles as being so dangerous that they should be taken off the roads.

"How many people are killed in cars every year. Why doesn't anyone call for them to be banned?" he said.

"It's always down to the biker, even if you did everything you should have done. If someone walks over when you are lying on the ground and says I'm sorry, I didn't see you', that doesn't help."

Latest police figures reveal that 16 motorcyclists have died in Hampshire already this year (four of these in the last six weeks).

Seven of the fatal collisions occurred at junctions, with cars either pulling out into the path of a bike or a bike overtaking on the approach.

By the end of July this year there had been 164 serious injuries, compared to 131 in the first seven months of 2006.

Figures show that about 75 per cent of biker deaths so far this year involved collisions with other motorists.

PC Mick Gear is Hampshire Police's Bikesafe co-ordinator. "Some motorcyclists don't help themselves in the way that they ride, forcing their way past in a dual carriageway or motorway situation, or using excess speed in rural areas," he said.

"The general perception of other road-users is that the motorcyclist is a nutcase. While most are responsible, the minority give us a bad name."

Next year will see the introduction of a stricter test for learner bikers attempting to gain their licence.

In early 2013, a two-stage assessment will be introduced which will mean that, after taking the initial test, bikers have to take a further test before they can ride bigger bikes. Currently motorcyclists have to wait two years before automatically being allowed to do this.

So while standards for new bikers wanting to take to the roads are being increased, other road-users may want to look closer to home before blaming bikers for the increasing number of casualties. "Drivers need to take longer at junctions before emerging, rather than look left look right and go. It needs to be a thorough check and recheck," said PC Gear.

"Concentration needs to be placed on the act of driving rather than the mobile phone or other distractions."

Kez Yendall, of Regents Park, who takes her motorbike test today, believes car drivers need to brush up on their skills. "I think car drivers should go on a bike for one day around town so that they can see how much car drivers don't see you," she said.

"Our awareness is fantastic compared to theirs. My main concern is that it is other people who are the idiots and they just don't see us."