Earlier this week the Motorcycle Industry Association combined forces with the Association of Chief Police Officers to launch a landmark policy document which could pave the way for more motorcycles on the road in the UK, as well as improved road safety.
Although rider safety has improved considerably since the year 2000, sadly motorcyclists still account for almost a fifth of casualties on the road, despite accounting for just 1% of overall traffic.
It is the belief of both organisations that the way to improve these figures is actually to encourage, rather than discourage motorcycling in the UK amongst road users, and the document calls for motorcycles to be included in future mainstream transport policy, and also sets out a framework of practical recommendations as to how this could be achieved.
Following a recent Belgian study, which showed that increasing the number of motorcycles on the roads actually reduced traffic, it is predicted that more and more people will turn to two wheels, whether motorised or pedal powered, in the near future. This gives the government the perfect opportunity to tackle any safety issues faced by all vulnerable road users in an integrated, and more cost-effective way.
It was data from Europe which originally showed that an increase in the number of motorcycles actually led to a decrease in the number of accidents. There is also a growing body of evidence which shows that if more road users started their career on two wheels, it would also make them better drivers, with improved behaviour towards all vulnerable road users. Friends and relatives of motorcyclists also tend to be more aware of those one two wheels when driving on the roads.
Education for all road users
- One theory test for all road users (motorcyclists have to do a different one to drivers)
- Compulsory road user awareness lessons within the school curriculum
- A culture of post-test training for all vehicle modes
Perception
- More comprehensive breakdown of motorcycle accident statistics
- Encourage a ‘two-wheel paradigm’ to embrace all two-wheeled transport and stop excluding motorcycles
- Include motorcycle use as core part of overall transport policy, along with walking, cycling and public transport.
Incentives
- Grants for electric vehicles to include electric motorcycles not just electric cars (cars won’t help reduce congestion)
Training and Safety
- Continue progress made in setting new standards in motorcycle training through the Motorcycle Industry Accreditation Centre (MCIAC)
- Training upgrade for those who hold a licence for a smaller bike, but want to upgrade to a larger one.
- Develop coherent and appropriate clothing and equipment standards
- Promote the use of Motorcycle Guidelines, recently updated by the Institute of Highways Engineers
- Nationwide utilisation of the BikeSafe voluntary assessment programme
- Greater use of the RIDE scheme (a course for motorcyclists displaying anti-social behaviour)
Deputy Chief Constable Tim Madgwick, Motorcycling Lead for the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) explains why they have joined forces with the MCIA; “Over recent years, the number of motorcycle casualties has reduced which is encouraging. However, this reduction seems to be slowing, with the emphasis moving away from progress in safety and too many motorcyclists are still being killed and injured on the roads.
“After taking over as the ACPO Motorcycling Lead, I wanted to ensure that casualty reduction was still a priority and I am pleased that these views were shared by MCIA and that we have been able to work together to build this framework which should see some real advancement in improving road safety, particularly for motorcyclists.
“Through this joint work, we hope to make some sustained changes to see improvements for motorcycle safety and a greater recognition of the wider impacts of increased powered two-wheeler use.
“The framework places education at the heart of it with some proposed transformations to improve the theory test and greater recognition and use of BikeSafe and the RIDE scheme. These are changes that I hope to see make some really positive steps towards reducing the numbers of casualties on our roads.”
Steve Kenward, CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) is clear that inclusion in transport policy is the only way forward to improve safety; “For too long, the Government, local authorities and transport planners seem to have deliberately avoided talking about motorcycle use, a practice which will increasingly fail as a method of reducing rider accidents. Motorcycles need to be treated as a legitimate form of transport, which can save time, space and money for commuters, whilst having the added benefit of reducing congestion for all road users.”
Steve Baker MP, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Motorcycle Group, which is hosting the Parliamentary Reception, gave a personal view of why motorcycles should be encouraged; “It’s time for officialdom to stop seeing motorcycling as a problem. Increased motorcycle use offers affordable access to personal transport and an antidote to congestion.
“As a lifelong motorcyclist myself, I have first-hand experience of the benefits that commuting by motorcycle can bring. I would be delighted to see the Government adopt a more encouraging approach to motorcycle use.
“If we want to reduce congestion and improve the quality of people’s lives, we need to embrace all forms of two-wheeled transport. This document gives a clear framework as to how that can be achieved while improving safety for all road users.”
Hopefully this kind of positive approach will lead to a refresh in thinking when it comes to motorcycle related policies in the UK!
