South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership (SYSRP) has teamed up with the National Young Rider Forum (NYRF) to support its latest ‘Bare Bones’ campaign. 

Aimed at 16-24-year-old riders and their parents, Bare Bones takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to promoting road safety messages to teenage scooter and motorbike riders on 50 to 125cc models. 

Fronted by a cheeky skeleton, the campaign’s focus is on the hazards of using a scooter or bike without adequate safety clothing and reminds teenagers of the risks of riding unprotected. 

Joanne Wehrle, manager of SYSRP, said: “With many young people heading to college or off out to work, scooters and motorbikes offer a fantastic solution to commuting on a budget.   

“But for those who have just passed their compulsory basic test (CBT), this will be their first experience of being out on main roads mixing with everyday traffic which is what makes them so vulnerable. 

“We hope that the Bare Bones campaign will catch their eye and remind them that while riding is a fantastic mode of transport, they need to take responsibility for their own protection. 

“All it takes is a few small changes to make sure that they don’t become a ‘bone head’.”  

The NYRF is made up of road safety professionals dedicated to researching ways of engaging with, and protecting, young riders. 

Heidi Duffy MBE, Facilitator for the NYRF, said:  “Young Riders are vulnerable due to their lack of road experience, can take risks because of false confidence in their ability as a rider and can be influenced by many internal and external factors. 

“A few simple steps, such as wearing motorcycle protective gloves, making sure helmets are fastened properly can be the difference between bragging to your mates about your battle scars or a lifetime of pain, disfigurement, or worse. 

“With modern materials the new-style riding gear is almost indistinguishable from a normal pair of baseball boots, jeans or hoodie, but still has armour in the right place for protection.   

“Hopefully they will never be needed, but we encourage riders to be prepared for the slide, not the ride.” 

Parents, family members, guardians and friends can also play a big part in the Bare Bones campaign by buying protective gear as gifts for their loved ones. 

You can follow the Bare Bones campaign on our social media channels using the #BareBonesSY 

For more information about our work visit:  www.sysrp.co.uk/17-24/motorcycles_and_scooters/