A recent National Road Safety Conference saw a presentation on a new approach to motorcycle safety policy by the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC). In it, the NMC’s Craig Carey-Clinch and Saul Jeavons from the Transafe Network spoke about how transport policy can be used to create a “virtuous circle” of motorcycle safety to drive down casualty figures. The session, entitled “Motorcycle Safety – Building the Momentum”, explored themes raised at the Road Safety GB (RSGB) motorcycle conference last February and was well attended by several organisations and individuals, including representatives from the government.
According to the NMC, safety is often cited as a reason to exclude motorcycles from transport policy and planning. Then, measures to improve motorcycle safety (like access to bus lanes) are solely viewed as measures to encourage motorcycling, which should be avoided. The result is a “dis-virtuous circle”: safety doesn’t improve, and the original safety reason to exclude motorcycles from policy remains.
Carey-Clinch and Jeavons drew on several international examples, where a positive approach to biking has helped improve safety. Knowledge gaps in safety were also highlighted, such as the need for significantly improved statistical data and new studies on journey purposes and currently unrecorded factors in incidents, including the riding/driving experience of those involved. In particular, a more in-depth analysis using case study methods is required to enable policymakers to better understand the preventability of motorcycle crashes. With the last in-depth international study (www.maids-study.eu) now being a quarter of a century old, a need to develop an up-to-date replacement was also identified.
Carey-Clinch and Jeavons further discussed national motorcycle safety strategies and motorcycle-inclusive transport policies, along with improved infrastructure for riders. Also suggested was support for post-test training and initiatives such as BikeSafe and Biker Down, while tackling issues such as fake and counterfeit motorcycle protective clothing.
That was also the focus of a presentation by clothing standards specialist Paul Varnsverry.
NMC executive director Craig Carey-Clinch said: “What is very clear is that a policy of ignoring motorcycles in transport policies in the hope that this will discourage motorcycling, with the safety problem eventually going away, is not a credible strategy. It has not worked in the past, and it won’t work now.”
The presentation also revealed just how far behind several other countries the UK is when it comes to policy attitudes towards motorcycling. “With all statistical measures of motorcycle safety stagnating since 2019 and fatalities higher than in 2013, when the current licensing, testing and training regime was introduced, it is clear that a fresh approach to safety is needed,” said Carey-Clinch, adding: “This must include recognition of motorcycling as a transport mode in the forthcoming Integrated National Transport Strategy, with measures to support riding, improve urban/rural access and reduce vulnerability for those who make the motorcycling choice for their journeys.”
Transafe’s Saul Jeavons said: “We need better-structured investigations delivering more segmented data on riders, the bikes involved in incidents and what riders are wearing when they happen. A coordinated approach involving transport policy and improved investigation data could lead to better targeted, more effective interventions.
“We hope that the Road Safety Strategy will include the establishment of the long-awaited Road Safety Investigation Branch to make sure these issues can be tackled rather than shuffled into the ‘difficult to address’ pile.”