Rider safety

THINK! BIKER 2012 'Tom'

Motorcyclist safety

Motorcyclists are disproportionately represented in road accidents. In 2010 there were 403 motorcyclist fatalities. This represents a fall of 15 percent compared with 2009. However, motorcyclists have the highest fatality rate per billion miles of any road user group. Despite representing one percent of vehicle traffic, they account for 21 percent of all road user deaths in Great Britain.

Motorcycle test and training

The Department is reviewing the motorcycle test and is working with trainers and rider groups to consider alternative ways of providing a motorcycle test that maintains UK riding standards and improves accessibility and safety of the test candidates, while meeting the requirements of the European Directive. The aim is to devise changes to the motorcycle test that will enable us to deliver a single event test that can be carried out on the road, as far as possible, in all parts of Great Britain.

Meanwhile, the existing module one manoeuvres test was amended on 16 May 2011, to address some of the concerns raised in the review about the content of the test, in existing locations.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is also taking forward broader improvements to the way the motorcycle training is delivered, to ensure that riders are equipped to ride safely and to raise standards in the training industry. This is in line with similar moves regarding car driver training.

Subject to these trials, there will be a public consultation on any proposals for changing the motorcycle test, with the aim to implement a new test during Winter 2012/13.

THINK! motorcycling

The THINK! motorcycling strategy aims to create empathy between car drivers and motorcyclists, whilst at the same time raising awareness about the steps that can be taken by both parties to avoid crashes. Car drivers are encouraged to notice motorcyclists on the road by thinking more about the person riding the motorcycle.

Motorcyclists are encouraged to take steps to manage and reduce their own personal risk through wearing appropriate safety gear and taking up further training. The latest THINK! campaign ‘named riders’ aims to raise awareness of motorcyclists by humanising them in the eyes of drivers.

Research shows that empathy with motorcyclists is important. Drivers with relatives who ride motorcycles have been reported to have fewer collisions with motorcyclists and have better observation skills in regard to motorcycles.

Motorcycle helmets

SHARP, the safety helmet assessment and rating programme, tests and rates motorcycle helmets to a higher safety standard than the basic CE standard they all must meet. The SHARP rating system helps riders make a more informed choice when choosing a helmet.

Cyclist safety

Horse rider safety

Most horse riders use Britain’s roads in a safe and responsible manner. However an accident can occur at any time. Horse riders can significantly reduce the risk of being involved in an accident by taking a responsible attitude to riding and taking care to watch out for motorists.

The Highway Code provides sound advice to horse riders including safety equipment and appropriate clothing.

Road accident statistics collected by the police relate to accidents involving injury to people, but do not include accidents involving horses where a person is not injured – a horse can die and a car can be written off but unless there is human injury, it will not be recorded in the main set of road accident statistics.

In order to address this, the British Horse Society now collates reports of accidents involving horses that may not be included in the police statistics. Between November 2010 and November 2011, 329 equestrian accidents were reported.