Current Plans

Education & Publicity

MM advised that the Live Fast Die Old campaign which originally launched 6 years ago, is now being evaluated, following the recommendation to consider younger riders. This was subsequently supplemented by the Breathtaking Roads campaign, which was relaunched in July and ran until the end of September.

Road Safety Scotland attended the Thunder in the Glens event in August and the Scottish Motorcycle Show in March.

CS updated that Scottish Government marketing has commissioned a research agency to do insight gathering into motorcycle audience to ensure that campaigns are suitable going forward. Three age ranges have been identified for the research: older riders (45+), mid age riders (30 – 44) and younger riders (16 – 29). As it is known that majority of KSI’s sit with older riders, the research will prioritise this age range with 4 groups for older riders, 2 groups for mid age riders and 2 groups for younger riders. To ensure a broad range of riders the criteria will also include level of experience and size of bike.

This research will also include bikers stories to understand how riders talk about their riding experience and a questionnaire via social media channels to encourage interaction.

CS noted that once the work on the focus groups are complete, a workshop will take place with the research agency, Police Scotland, Transport Scotland and Scottish Government Marketing and Insight Unit, to implement the research into the communications approach for the future.

SF highlighted the initiatives in place to encourage good driving behaviours by non-motorcycle users: the level of funding for safety cameras has never been higher, which has an impact of driver behaviour for all road users; the progression of a trial of Distracted Driver Technology which acts to support enforcement action whilst also encourage improved driver behaviours.

SF also noted that Road Traffic Diversionary Courses are progressing and discussions are ongoing with the stakeholders working group.

Enforcement

AJ noted that the Police Scotland Motorcycle Safety campaign was launched in March this year and ran until September. Rider Refinement has continued in the North and it was also rolled out throughout the East and West of Scotland this year. AJ noted that number of courses is limited due to available resources.

Police Scotland had a presence at the British Superbikes and the Touring Car Championships at Knock Hill Racing Circuit and will continue to work with Knock Hill Racing Circuit going forward. Police Scotland was also present at Thunder in the Glens and North West 200 motorcycle races.

AJ noted that a recommendation from the Road Traffic Fatality Research Report was to collaborate with motorcycle clubs and venues such as Knockhill Racing Circuit to develop roadshows and/or drop-in points where motorcycle helmets can be checked by a knowledgeable expert, ensuring they are correctly fitted and that riders are aware how to secure them correctly. Police Scotland has also produced a leaflet which highlights how to fit a helmet correctly as well as a guide to motorcycle helmets.

AJ added that plans are in place to visit the Vision Zero South West, Motorcycle Safety Simulator at Devon and Cornwall Police with the aim of identify how this could be utilised in Scotland.

Partner Updates

The Chair invited members to provide an update with the following points being highlighted:

National Motorcycle Council

• Recently met with the Secretary of State to discuss the development of the UK Governments Road Safety Strategy.
• Met with Minister for the Future of Roads, Lillian Greenwood to discuss the Pot Hole Partnership.
• Parliamentary Engagement is ongoing.
• Working with Road Safety GB to host a Motorcycle Safety Conference in Birmingham on 13 February 2025.

IAM RoadSmart

• There are now 2 full time members of field staff based in Scotland to generate activity.
• It is hoped that next year will bring the first of IAM RoadSmart’s Skill’s Days which is a track based road safety event.
• Activity in relation to driver and rider of the year competitions will be used to promote road safety.
• Work is continuing to support the delivery Rider Refinement along with Police Scotland.

MAG

• Recently worked with the University of Nottingham to review Transport Planning Strategies for local authorities in England, to ensure they included Motorcyclists. It was noted that Transport Scotland’s, ‘Local Transport Strategy: Guidance’ does not include Motorcycles within the hierarchy.

Police Scotland

• HMICS report has been published and shared with the group highlighting the recommendations.

British Motorcycle Federation

• Focusing on engagement with UK Government Ministers and officials on development of the new Road Safety Strategy. Key to that will be to ensure motorcycling is front and centre of future transport strategy, both in terms of safety and the development of motorcycling as a future sustainable transport solution.

PRIMEs

• 2024 is year 2 of 3 years of Phase two of Project PRIME.
• More field analysis and research has been undertaken exclusively looking at the effect of PRIMEs for riders negotiating right hand bends.
• Reporting of findings for 2024 will be completed by the end of 2025.
• An installation toolkit is in the final stages of being developed to share information for stakeholders to replicate measures used.