Cornwall Council’s road safety team is running a motorcycle awareness raising campaign featuring real local bikers.
The campaign has been inspired by feedback from the council’s motorcyclist consultation group, and targets motorcycle collision clusters.
Seven images of real riders have been chosen to reflect the diversity of the riding community. The real names and home towns of the bikers are used to underline the local relevance of the message.
The campaign is running on billboards, petrol pump nozzles and bus shelters.
John MacNeill, project co-ordinator, said: “As a rider myself it’s great to have been able to run a campaign which personalises motorcyclists."
The campaign runs until the end of the first week in October. For more information contact John MacNeill on 01872 327308.
Having spoken to John there are a lot of 999 services across the country doing the same job but in different ways. Any work to keep the roads safer is a good thing but it will only work if everyone takes responsibility for their actions.
Gary Elston Hampshire
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Bob makes very valid points. Go out on any sunny day and you’ll see some riders relying on other road users to do the right thing. Riding too close to the vehicle in front – relying on the driver not having to brake too quickly. Overtaking near a junction – relying on the vehicle in front not turning right or relying on a vehicle not emerging from the junction at the critical moment. Wearing camouflage (disruptive pattern material) clothing and relying on other road users to see them. The blind faith that some bikers put in the ability of other road users staggering. Their naivety is astounding.
Education and rider skills development is the answer. Relatively few riders choose to avail themselves of the superb skills development opportunities that are out there. Those that make the most of the opportunities tend to be those that have a very positive interest in riding safely – For the most part we’re delivering the message to the converted.
A large proportion of those who need help aren’t interested in skills development, either because they think they know it all or they think it isn’t cool. It is an uphill struggle, but all we can do is to keep trying. Repeat successful iniatives and keep being innovative in developing new ones.
Mark – Wiltshire
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Could be of use, particularly round towns and in larger conurbations. However, some 50% of accidents involve one motorcyclist on a country road and no other traffic, usually on bends or overtaking.
Motorcycle traffic explodes by some 1000% on a Sunday when the weather is NICE and DRY and that’s when there is a need to educate both cage drivers AND MOTORCYCLISTS of the need to beware. Cage drivers of giving distance [space] to bikers and some bikers to learn how to ride more sensibly and responsibly.
Bob Craven, Lancs
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There should be a ‘Think Bike’ sign at every major junction.
Doug Harris Stockton-on-Tees
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I think this is a very good idea. Any campaign which raises rider awareness will be a positive result for bikers.
Mark – Wiltshire
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