A Motorcycle Safety and Transport Policy Framework
Summary
A number of installations of ‘motorcycle friendly’ infrastructure have taken place around the network. This has included provision of marker posts at bends under the WYLIWYG (Where You Look Is Where You Go) scheme, aimed at preventing collisions from occurring and ‘Bikeguard’ which aims to minimise injury when collisions do occur. Similarly, removal or protection of roadside furniture has been undertaken in order to minimise injuries.
These measures can have added benefit for all users, WYLIWYG for instance, can also assist in the prevention of ‘loss of control’ incidents for car drivers on country roads.
Whilst it is acknowledged that there are existing mandatory evaluation measures such as a Stage 4 Road Safety Audit and POPE (Post Opening Project Evaluation) for major highway schemes, there is a need to ensure that any safety benefits do not go under the radar.
Description
Case studies and evidenced based reviews of these installations should be carried out in order to establish their success or otherwise. This should be in addition to any mandatory assessment and are especially important where novel measures are provided. Popular motorcycle routes should be prioritised for these measures. Care should be taken in considering the location of these installations, as it is important to note whether or not there have been other enforcement, education or engineering measures in the locality which may have had influence on the overall outcome.
Where it is identified that these measures have been successful in reducing the frequency or severity of collisions, they should be taken forward as examples of best practice, encouraging their use around the network. A cost/benefit ratio should be considered in any assessment, in order to illustrate the economic benefits of the installation.
There is also an opportunity to show to the motorcycle community that a well-coordinated, joined up approach between agencies can have significant benefits. Any ‘good news stories’ resulting from this type of evaluation should be exploited and disseminated through the motorcycle press and social media.
Next Steps
- Identify any recent or proposed work to introduce motorcycle safe infrastructure provision which may be suitable as a case study. Subjects such as WYLIWYG and motorcycle safe restraint barriers should be considered. Road surfacing and manhole cover standards may also provide a useful study.
- Prioritise routes which are both popular with riders and also have a high rate of collisions.
Progress
UPDATE – Action 25 – To Conduct Detailed Case Studies of Provision of Safer Motorcycle Infrastructure, Reviewing the Effect on (a) PTW Casualties and (b) Other User Groups. Examples of Best Practice to be Widely Disseminated
This is a new addition to the framework.
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