Karen Cole has been presented with a Road Safety GB Achievement Award, recognising her significant contribution to furthering motorcyclist safety during her long career within the sector.
The award was presented at Road Safety GB’s motorcycle conference, Tackling Motorcycle Crashes – A Call For Action, held at the National Motorcycle Museum on 13 February.
Karen started working in road safety, specifically motorcycle safety, around 25 years ago, when she joined the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA).
While with the MCIA, she headed a project to produce a widely acclaimed DVD, ‘Street, Track and Open Road’, which engaged different types of riders in safety issues and better riding. The style of filming was positively received by the biker community.
Another DVD, focussing on young riders in urban settings, did much to engage young people and bring them together with positive role models and attitudes to safety.
She also co-authored a number of safety and policy publications, created as part of a partnership between the motorcycle industry and police.
Presenting the award, James Gibson, executive director of Road Safety GB, said: “The Road Safety GB Achievement Award recognises individuals who have contributed significantly to road safety in the United Kingdom over a substantial period of time.
“Throughout her career, Karen represented the industry in a wide range of forums and Government and wider stakeholder groups.
“Her work covered areas relating to safer infrastructure, rider licensing, statistics and other safety initiatives.
“During her time at the MCIA, most recently as director of safety, she was effective at balancing the needs of industry and riders, with the strong imperative to reduce rider casualties – and was always very firm and effective in ensuring that safety was front and centre.”
Karen also served on the Prince Michael Awards committee and is currently a trustee of the charity Mental Health Motorbike, whose primary aim is suicide prevention, specifically supporting motorcyclists.
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