The National Young Rider Forum has issued a heartfelt appeal to drivers to take an extra look for motorcyclists this Easter, in order to reduce the number of collisions between cars and young riders.
Data shows that 73% of young rider crashes involve a car. Meanwhile, 60% of young riders were riding straight ahead when they were hit by another vehicle, demonstrating the severity of the issue.
The ‘Drivers, please’ campaign gently asks drivers to, please, look out for motorcyclists, especially at junctions.
It highlights that looking twice – and thinking bike – really can save lives.
Over the next few weeks, the National Young Rider Forum (NYRF) will be sharing a series of infographics across its social media channels, backed up by paid advertising.
These infographics highlight to drivers the importance of seeing young motorcyclists on the road, at the start of what is conventionally known as the riding period.
Heidi Duffy MBE, facilitator of the NYRF, said: “Drivers, please is a heartfelt appeal to all those driving four wheels to take an extra look for those riding on two wheels.
“While we appreciate that there is a science to be motorcyclists being seen, it is up to all drivers to look for all traffic before pulling out, turning or navigating junctions – and this includes seeing motorcycles travelling straight ahead on the road.”
The campaign has been launched today (23 March) to coincide with a week-long motorcycle safety initiative, co-ordinated by the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC).
It also follows the publication of the most comprehensive research project into young motorcyclists to date, commissioned to understand the attitudes, behaviours, needs and preferred methods of communication of young riders.
Carried out with funding from The Road Safety Trust and support from Agilysis, the Young Riders Matter project comprised a casualty analysis of riders aged 16-24 years – as well as a survey completed by 250 young riders, with follow-up interviews.
Fay Cannon, Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership coordinator, said: “The report showed that in a five year period, 22,161 young riders were injured in road traffic crashes and of those, 281 lost their lives and 6,354 were seriously injured.
“Many of those crashes involved a car colliding with the motorcycle so we are asking all drivers to please, always check for riders and save a young person from being killed or seriously injured.”
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