Central Bedfordshire Council’s road safety team has launched a 360-degree virtual reality video to highlight the importance of positioning and observation on a motorcycle.
The film, ‘Evel on the Roads’, puts the viewer in the rider’s seat in a bid to emphasise how easy it is for a motorcyclist to miss what’s happening around them.
To achieve this, the viewer is set the challenge of spotting ‘legendary’ stunt man Evel Knievel.
The video, launched last week, is narrated by the 1981 British Superbike champion and former BBC MotoGP commentator Steve Parrish, who described it as ‘a really good idea’.
Steve Parrish said: “I have been a motorcyclist for 45 years now and if something like this is around to make people safer on the road then I am pleased to help. It’s really good and I might even learn something myself.”
Amanda Graydon, senior road safety officer with Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “It’s great to have Steve on board with the project, which is really exploiting new technology to get our messages across.
“Virtual reality has become really popular and we hope that is helps to make a difference to keep people safe on our roads.”
The film is publicised on the ‘Motorcycling Matters’ website, which is run by Bedfordshire and Luton Casualty Reduction Partnership. The website has all the latest information for bikers in the region, including advanced training.
For more information about the new video, contact Central Bedfordshire’s road safety team via email.
Want to know more about motorcycling and road safety?
Online library of research and reports etc – visit the Road Safety Knowledge Centre
Key facts and summaries of research reports – visit the Road Safety Observatory
I can’t comment that this is a gimmick, because I’ve yet to try it out using the appropriate VR equipment. Hopefully I will next week, and will report back with my opinions, if you like. In the meantime, anything which might attract the attention of a notoriously difficult audience (those who are sure they are already “good” and don’t need advice) is a potentially good thing for me. Well-done Bedfordshire & Luton for trying something new.
Martin: Suffolk
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This is just a gimmick. We should not be playing look for the dummy. What we should be doing is talking about the more serious issues like riding too close to the kerb. Of being far too close to the rear of vehicles in front when they stop. Of not being visible when stopped behind other stopped vehicles. Of being the correct safe following on distance from the vehicle in front in a 60 mph zone (240 ft). Of dismissing and failing to take avoiding actions such as slowing down and moving over (swerving) for car at an exit/entry on our nearside and passing it at 60 mph. Of riding once again far too close to the HGV on a narrow country road. Of overtaking said HGV without a lifesaving glance over one’s right shoulder. Of pulling or cutting in too soon after the overtake without looking in mirrors forcing the HGV to be tailgating. Of overtaking when one can see road openings on both sides of the road even though they ended up as just field entrances. One is not to know and one must make all observations and then take whatever defensive measures are necessary to minimalise the risks.
Other than those few points not bad. By the way I was not looking for a man in a white helmet its far too much of a distraction..Its like watching clouds go by.
Bob Craven Lancs
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Did our rider not notice the car waiting to emerge – possibly into his path – at 1:52? It’s all about defensive riding/driving and expecting the unexpected.
Hugh Jones, Cheshire
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