All UK fire & rescue services – along with partner organisations – will be engaging with motorcyclists this week, as part of efforts to reduce KSIs during peak riding season.
Motorcycles make up around one per cent of road traffic, but it is estimated in 2023 accounted for 20 per cent of road fatalities and around 12 per cent of road casualties in Great Britain.
Services will be utilising an online toolkit to focus their efforts on reaching motorcyclists with safety messages, as well as signposting to courses and resources that will assist them to become safer riders.
The week will have separate focuses on gig-economy and leisure riders.
For gig-economy riders, an online survey has been created. The survey aims to help the NFCC ‘collect some rich data’ to inform future campaigns.
All available resources are hosted on the NFCC website, within a Think Bike Toolkit that can be accessed by all partners.
The toolkit contains section for the following content:
Ridefree
This is a free online training course that should be completed before taking moped or motorcycle compulsory basic training (CBT).
The Enhanced Rider Scheme
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) enhanced rider scheme checks motorcycle riding skills and provides training to help motorcyclists to improve.
BikeSafe Workshops
BikeSafe is a national, police-run motorcycle initiative aimed at working with motorcycle riders in a relaxed environment to raise awareness of the importance and value of progressing on to accredited post-test training.
Biker Down
Biker Down offers motorcyclists the ability to train in essential life skills, for free, and gain the knowledge to help them cope should they encounter or be involved in a road traffic collision.
Elite Rider Programme
The Elite Rider Programme is a one stop shop for advanced training. It was created by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), road safety and training experts, government departments and respected, associated organisations.