Initiative details
As the statistics show, Greece has the highest ratio of motorcyclists per active population. The training for riding in public roads offered is not sufficient and the driving license examinations do not guarantee the adequacy of knowledge, skills and road behavior as shown by the number of accidents. A post-education process is lacking in millions of amateur A license riders and this becomes more urgent as the need for further training for those who use motorcycles as a work vehicle (delivery drivers) has arisen. Government agencies have special refresher courses for their employees but millions of motorcyclists ride without any additional training beyond the basic training they attended before obtaining their driving license.
Initiative date
Who was/is your target audience?
Adults
Topic
Training
Organisation details
The Hellenic Motorcycle Institute “MOTOTHESIS”
Association
Greece
Volos
Contact name
Thomas Kakadiaris
Telephone number
+306934734119
info@motothesis-motoe.org
Project activities
If you work together with external partners, list the most important partners and briefly describe their role.
- Motorcycle Federation of Greece (MOT.O.E.) Moral, administrative and financial support.
- Motorcycle Club of Volos (MOTO.LE.V.) Moral, administrative, financial support and availability of our first instructor candidates.
- European Federation of Motorcyclists' Associations (F.E.M.A.) Support in the research of training programs in the European territory suitable for our needs.
- Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Ro.S.P.A) Provide training programmes and Certifications.
- Athletic Motorcycling Federation of Greece (A.M.O.T.O.E.) Promotion and financial support.
- Cyprus Motorcyclists' Rights Club (CDMK) Direct and close cooperation for the development of the program in Cyprus.
- European Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (A.C.E.M.) and administrative support.
- International Motorcycling Federation (F.I.M.) Financial support and moral support.
- German Road Safety Council (D.V.R.). Assessment and certification body for the EQLT recognition
- Motorcycle Club of Volos (MOTO.LE.V.) Moral, administrative, financial support and availability of our first instructor candidates.
- European Federation of Motorcyclists' Associations (F.E.M.A.) Support in the research of training programs in the European territory suitable for our needs.
- Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Ro.S.P.A) Provide training programmes and Certifications.
- Athletic Motorcycling Federation of Greece (A.M.O.T.O.E.) Promotion and financial support.
- Cyprus Motorcyclists' Rights Club (CDMK) Direct and close cooperation for the development of the program in Cyprus.
- European Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (A.C.E.M.) and administrative support.
- International Motorcycling Federation (F.I.M.) Financial support and moral support.
- German Road Safety Council (D.V.R.). Assessment and certification body for the EQLT recognition
Please describe the project activities you carried/are carrying out and the time period over which these were implemented.
Our educational activities started in 1995 with the research and search for educational solutions that could be applied in the Greek reality. We created a two-level program to improve motorcyclists' riding on the daily public road (not racing on the track or on dirt). These programs are provided nationally two times per year; every Autumn and Spring. Recently, in 2022 the European Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (A.C.E.M.), the International Federation of Motorcycling (F.I.M.) and the German Road Safety Council (D.V.R.) awarded to Motothesis program the European Quality Label for Motorcycle Training in Advanced Riding Education entitled: Advice on Advanced Riding - E.Q.L.
In terms of implementation, what worked well and what challenges did you need to overcome?
The most essential challenge that the Motothesis has to face is the underfunding of the post-training action and this is because the cost of offering the project is rising and despite the voluntary offer of the instructors the needs of the action are increasing. Another challenge is staffing our organisation with competent people (instructors) who have the time, will and skills to contribute to road safety.
Evaluation
Please summarise how you have evaluated the initiative’s impact (e.g. social media reach, survey, feedback forms, statistics).
In the end of each training program we send a feedback form, which trainees can filled in anonymusly or not. Of course we have open in comments our Facebook page and our contact information as institution and as indivitual trainers are free accessed via our website.
What has been the effect of the activities?
Since 1995 we have trained hundreds motorcyclists in national level and we are in discussion with insurance angencies to achieve discount for our cerificated advance riders.
Please briefly explain why your initiative is a good example of improving road safety.
"Motothesis" training programs focus on the development of a traffic management protocol with the safety of the motorcyclist and those moving around or with him/her in mind. The development of this protocol as a way of safe riding is unique in Europe and is only offered in the UK.
How have you shared information about your project and its results?
We publish twice per year an online newsletter and we update the information for our work and progress in our website. Periodically, we inform officially governmental bodies related with road safety.