Motorcycle safety initiatives win royal recognition
The Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) is delighted to announce the winner of its special award that recognises road safety initiatives, in the field of motorcycling.
‘Grip Top’ has been selected as the winner of the Motor Cycle Industry Sponsored award. The creators of ‘Grip Top’ have developed a new service cover that offers levels of grip comparable to other road surroundings and which is also capable of durable performance under intense traffic over a decade.
Two-wheeled vehicles, such as motorcycles, scooters and bicycles are particularly vulnerable to loss of control. This typically arises from sudden changes of available grip, especially while cornering or braking, or insufficient grip in high demand situations such as sudden braking or swerving to avoid collision.
The adoption of ‘Grip-Top’ in high risk situations such as bends, roundabouts, traffic lights and other areas where bikers and cyclists typically lose control and become casualties would reduce risk in such danger zones, offsetting the relative disadvantage faced by two-wheelers who cannot access many vehicle-based safety systems available to users of larger vehicles.
The development team of this unique product comprises Saint-Gobain Pipelines for the ironwork, Stirling Lloyd for treatment surface technology and Bristol City Council for the road trials and assessments.
‘Grip Top’ was chosen for the MCI award as it has the potential to be used all over the UK and has benefits for all road users but particularly motorcycles. The industry urges other councils to follow Bristol’s example and use Grip Top whenever possible. It is important that we generate good PR and product awareness to encourage others to use this product where it is needed to help reduce accidents and save lives.
Karen Cooke, MCI’s Director of Safety said, “This year we are delighted with the range and number of nominees for the coveted road-safety awards. There are an increasing number of inventive and pioneering schemes and products with the important goal of improving road safety for motorcyclists.
“The winner of this year’s PMRSA for motorcycling stands out because it can easily be adopted on a national basis and not only does it help motorcyclists but it is good for all road users, which is an impressive quality.”
Across the country, there have been other high quality safety initiatives that have received a Prince Michael award for their regional contribution to enhanced road safety for motorcyclists and scooter riders.
Durham County Council and Durham Constabulary’s Bikewise programme covers all ages of riders from 6 years upwards . The scheme features a very active ACU approved mini-moto scheme for youngsters , an excellent post test training scheme for those aged 17 and over as well as a special ‘ladies’ course to help improve the confidence and skills of female riders.
Durham County Council use innovative engineering solutions to make roads as biker friendly as possible, using approved barriers and lighting columns as well as trialling new products such as Bike Mate which protects riders if they are unfortunate enough to collide with a lamp post for example.
Despite Durham Constabulary being a partner in this initiative, enforcement is seen as a last resort rather than the easiest option, and a long-term view has been taken, with Durham Police adopting an engage and educate approach. This joint approach venture is now paying dividends and Durham can now boast a reduction in motorcycle killed and seriously injured (KSI) stats of 85% and have reduced complaints about anti social behaviour by motorcyclists by 60%.
Staffordshire County Council Road Safety Unit (SCCRSU) – Motorcycle Casualty Reduction Scheme
Staffordshire has many different approaches to improve riders safety as they are aware that a one size fits all approach to riders will not work. SCC RSU developed their own BikeSense post-test training scheme but also offer subsidies for those wishing to take IAM or ROSPA courses.
Last year over 500 BikeSafe assessments were carried out and 270 riders took up the Ride course as an alternative to endorsement. On top of this SCCRSU host awareness days around the county, where they and a wide range of partners engage with local riders offering advice and BikeSafe assessments.
SCCRSU have now extended their training to add CBT Extra for learner riders, to give them more help to avoid accidents this includes classroom and practical sessions, this is run in conjunction with local trainers.
SCCRSU doesn’t just do education. Their ‘Ride It Right’ scheme introduced signs, warning riders of the hazardous nature of the roads, backed up by leaflets and other promotional activity. This scheme saw a 35% reduction in casualties on these signed roads in the first year and a further 5% the second year. In 2008 on new higher priority routes a reduction on 53% was achieved.
SCCRSU also works with Killspills warning haulage and coach companies in the local area of the risks diesel poses for riders. SSCC also have a road defect reporting hotline, which will shortly set to deal with farm debris on roads too.
Lothian and Borders Police – ‘Around the Corner is an innovative website offering loads of advice and information to riders in the area and those wishing to visit. Fold out maps support the website and way markers show dedicated biker routes. The local police are also keen participants offering help and advice to riders.
