‘All the gear, all the time’

Road safety officers in South Yorkshire have been using Snapchat as part of a campaign to reach young motorcycle riders.

‘All the Gear, All the Time’ is the latest initiative from the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership (SYSRP) to reach 16-24 year-old riders. 

It focuses on the need to wear appropriate protective clothing to reduce the severity of injury should a collision occur.

Joanne Wehrle, manager of SYSRP said: “Young riders are one of our priority road-user groups and with the improving weather, more and more will be turning to two wheels as their method of transport.

“It’s absolutely vital that young men and women understand the difference that kit such as lined trousers, appropriate gloves and padded jackets can make on the road.

“Without the protection of a metal vehicle structure around them, motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable should they come off their bike.”

The partnership also wants to push home the message that appropriate kit should be worn ‘regardless of the type of journey’.

Joanne added: “Often we hear the line ‘I was just nipping down the shops’ or ‘I wasn’t planning on riding fast’.

“That driver who doesn’t see you at a junction may still pull-out whether you are five or 50 miles from your home. The spilt diesel doesn’t mind if you’re doing 25mph or 40mph.

“Kevlar-lined clothing can be the difference between a shattered knee or scuffed jeans.”

The Snapchat artwork ran for a week from Monday 21 March. It is also being used to support the ongoing national two-wheels campaign, organised by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).

The NPCC campaign launched on 4 April.

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