To mark the beginning of Ride to Work Week (19-25 June), the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) is pointing to a study highlighting the benefits of two-wheel commuting.
The Belgian study modelled the traffic for one of Europe’s ‘most congested’ roads and found that if 10% of motorists swapped their car for a powered two wheeler (PTW), congestion would reduce by 40%. When 25% of drivers swapped, congestion was eliminated altogether.
The 2011 study also concluded that a 10% shift toward PTWs would result in 20% more parking spaces, less wear and tear on roads and improved rider safety.
MCIA also says the INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard shows that up to £30bn could be saved as a direct benefit of reduced congestion – as well as the 32 hours UK motorists spend stuck in traffic each year.
Steve Kenward, MCIA CEO, said: “Motorcyclists and scooter riders don’t waste 32 hours a year watching the bumper of the car in front, as they can filter.
“This means they tend to move through congested traffic at the same rate you would expect to move through free-flowing traffic.
“32 hours is the equivalent of four working days, which equates to an extra four days holiday each year. No wonder riders are the happiest commuters!”
Ride to Work Week
Using the tagline #commutehappy, Ride to Work Week aims to encourage a shift towards powered two wheel (PTW) commuting. The campaign also highlights the benefits of riding a PTW to work, which include saving time and money, easier parking and improving road skills.
For 2017, the MCIA has refreshed the Ride to Work Week website, including a host of new downloads which are available free of charge. The downloads include logos, posters, flyers and infographics identifying the main reasons why people ride to work.
For employers, there are also slides providing information on accredited training courses and advances in technology.
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Week-long campaign will highlight benefits of PTW commuting
22 May 2017
Gone are the days of the early 1900’s when two wheeled transport was 70% of the road transport.Unfortunately anything that encourages a greater participation of two wheeled vehicle will, until that 10% of road population is reached, result in more and more deaths and serious injuries.
What we need is a cohesive training plan that goes further than the present CBT only. Something along the lines of those motorcyclists in Belgium where all interested parties including individuals and motorcycle clubs have come together under one cohesive plan for the training and benefit of newbies. Further, if this government put £50 million on one side for training, some 500,0000 riders could benefit from that training right from the outset. That’s only £100 per trainee but what a difference to life and limb that could make. The savings on the NHS would be enormous.
Bob Craven Lancs
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