Initiative details
Between 2018 and 2022 there where 93 fatalities and 894 serious injury collisions in Irish roads which involved motorcyclists. No specific road safety programme aimed at motorcyclists existed at that time. It was identified that the vast majority of these collisions occurred over the Summer months and almost 50% at weekends and many involved leisure riders or those retuning to motorcycling. Ireland has a large number of rural roads, ideal for leisure riding but this also increases risk through road topography and additional hazards which adversely impact motorcycle safety compared to other road users.
Initiative date
Who was/is your target audience?
Young adults 17-25
Adults
Powered two wheeler riders (excluding micromobility)
Topic
Create awareness
Knowledge building and sharing
Training
Organisation details
An Garda Siochana
Local Public authority
Ireland
Dublin
Contact name
Stephen McCauley
Telephone number
00353858060086
stephen.mccauley@garda.ie
Website link
Project activities
Please describe the project activities you carried/are carrying out and the time period over which these were implemented.
Garda BikeSafe was developed as a bespoke motorcycle programme tailored to Ireland giving members of the public the opportunity to engage with Advanced Garda (Police) motorcyclists in a relaxed environment and share knowledge and experiences at pre-arranged BikeSafe Workshops across Ireland between April and September. Workshops are of 6 hour duration split into two parts. Part 1 is a 2.5 hour classroom session where a range of topics including hazard perception, bike safety checks, cornering, gearing and acceleration are discussed and supported with video and PowerPoint. Part 2 takes the form of an assessed ride where an advanced Garda motorcyclist accompanies 2 riders for around 50 to 100km on a variety of roads and provides honest feedback during a debrief session. In year 1 (2023/24) 31 workshops where conducted accommodating 236 motorcyclists, all of whom are encouraged to progress to undergo further training with civilian instructors. This season has followed suit with at least the same number of workshops planned.
In terms of implementation, what worked well and what challenges did you need to overcome?
The most impressive element to the programme has been the interest and demand from the participants with all workshops being filled within a couple of days of release. Feedback has been extremely positive from all participants and the programme has led to excellent exposure in the media providing excellent opportunities to reinforce the road safety message and Vision Zero. Initial challenges of actually developing the programme and administrating bookings, locations and publicising the programme where all overcome working with partners. The popularity has also led to the challenges as there are many motorcyclists on a lengthening waiting list who cannot be accommodated at this time due to capacity and financial constraints. We are looking to expand the capacity in 2025 and have also invited those waiting to participate in some on-line learning to at least- impart some safety knowledge rather than nothing.
If you work together with external partners, list the most important partners and briefly describe their role.
Road Safety Authority (RSA). RSA are the statutory body in Ireland and have supported the initiative with some financial support and most importantly, including BikeSafe in the National Road Safety strategy giving weight to its importance in our drive to Vision Zero.
BikeSafe UK. BikeSafe UK have been an invaluable source of support and guidance and assistance with our administration matters.
BikeSafe UK. BikeSafe UK have been an invaluable source of support and guidance and assistance with our administration matters.
Evaluation
Please summarise how you have evaluated the initiative’s impact (e.g. social media reach, survey, feedback forms, statistics).
Evaluation has been carried out primarily through direct feedback from participants and from the Garda motorcyclists' feedback with the 2023 season showing
• 236 motorcyclists attended a full BikeSafe workshop with 31 workshops being held across the country
• 59 attended a live online BikeSafe theory class.
• 25 completed a free online BikeSafe motorcycle road craft eLearning course.
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA BikeSafe 2023 key statistics (full workshop)
• 93% booked to become a safer rider.
• Before attending BikeSafe – 36% reported having at least one motorcycle accident on public roads.
• 91% have never previously attended BikeSafe.
• 91% have attended no post-test motorcycle training.
• 96% are weekend/leisure riders (highest KSI risk group)
• 79% see BikeSafe as a good first step towards post-test training.
• 53% of riders need to improve their cornering skills (National Observer data).
• Only 2% identified as needing no further skills progression (National Observer data).
• 89% said they would be likely to act on Officer feedback (National Observer data).
As can be seen, evaluation shows that the most vulnerable and at risk groups where positively impacted by BikeSafe
• 236 motorcyclists attended a full BikeSafe workshop with 31 workshops being held across the country
• 59 attended a live online BikeSafe theory class.
• 25 completed a free online BikeSafe motorcycle road craft eLearning course.
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA BikeSafe 2023 key statistics (full workshop)
• 93% booked to become a safer rider.
• Before attending BikeSafe – 36% reported having at least one motorcycle accident on public roads.
• 91% have never previously attended BikeSafe.
• 91% have attended no post-test motorcycle training.
• 96% are weekend/leisure riders (highest KSI risk group)
• 79% see BikeSafe as a good first step towards post-test training.
• 53% of riders need to improve their cornering skills (National Observer data).
• Only 2% identified as needing no further skills progression (National Observer data).
• 89% said they would be likely to act on Officer feedback (National Observer data).
As can be seen, evaluation shows that the most vulnerable and at risk groups where positively impacted by BikeSafe
What has been the effect of the activities?
320 motorcyclists where directly involved in some level of education but with around 700 of a waiting list we can estimate the number reached in relation to direct participation is over 1000. However the media coverage, mainstream and socials would indicate many thousands in the motorcycling community have been reached, It is early to show statistics relating to collisions as the programme is only in early year two but I am confident that those who participated have the improved skills to help them become safer riders and this will only increase in the coming years.
Please briefly explain why your initiative is a good example of improving road safety.
This initiative has identified a particularly vulnerable group of road users and has taken proactive steps to provide, education and enhanced profile to reduce fatal and serious collisions in line with Vision Zero where none previously existed. This goes further than media campaigns alone and directly engages a hard to reach vulnerable group of road users in a very practical way. There is great potential for others across Europe to learn from the success of BikeSafe in Ireland and develop programmes. We have all the hard work done leaving minimal issues for others to implement and I would naturally be only too happy to advise and assist others.
How have you shared information about your project and its results?
We have a Garda BikeSafe website with direct links from the RSA and main Garda websites, participate on X (Twitter), have regular articles in the printed media and have had TV exposure. We have been given permission to develop a Podcast later this year. BikeSafe is well known at local, regional and national levels.