Throughout the UK and around the world, motorcyclists represent a uniquely vulnerable road user group. In many ways, traditional approaches to road safety present a major challenge for engaging with riders who are hard to access (typically, those who are experienced but who have not taken any further training).

Research was conducted in New Zealand to investigate the use of novel road markings to help riders approaching and navigating demanding bends.  Field trials were conducted and the results illustrated changes in rider behaviour (e.g. road position, speed, braking).

This presentation will present findings from a new and unique road trial conducted by Transport Scotland to develop this work. A test site was identified and rider behaviour data were collected before and after specialized road markings were installed. The findings from this work will help lay the foundation for further trials that are planned through 2020 and 2021, which are funded by the Road Safety Trust. These onward trials will represent the first large-scale research of this kind anywhere in the world.

The underlying principle is to develop unique road markings that are cheap to install and maintain and which affect rider behaviour in a positive way to increase their enjoyment and expertise.