In an effort to reduce road accidents involving motorcyclists, the UK fire and rescue services have focused all their efforts during the week of June 3rd to 9th on raising awareness about motorcycle safety. The National Motorcycle Safety Week is organized by the NFCC (National Fire Chiefs Council), a professional organization of the UK fire and rescue service.
The aim of this initiative is to send out safety messages and promote courses and resources so that motorcycle users adopt responsible behaviors and avoid risky situations. In the UK, although motorcycles account for only 1% of traffic, their users are responsible for 20% of road fatalities and 12% of serious injuries.
This focus on safety becomes even more relevant in light of data provided by the DVLA (Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency), which, analyzed by IAM Road Smart, indicates that an increasing number of young motorcyclists choose to ride without the mandatory insurance for their vehicles. Nicholas Lyes, Policy and Standards Director of this organization, attributes this behavior to the high cost of insurance, a problem that needs to be addressed to improve road safety. IAM Road Smart is a charity that aims to improve driving standards for both cars and motorcycles and increase road safety.
Meanwhile, the National Motorcycle Council (NMC) has called on politicians to consider the positive aspects of motorcycles for the future of transportation and include them in mobility policies. This involves incorporating improvements in licenses and infrastructure from the perspective of motorcyclists.
NMC’s demands include a neutral approach to the transition towards decarbonization, priority access to bus lanes, support for motorcycle sports, and the cultural recognition of classic motorcycles. These demands are part of the manifesto published by the organization, which seeks to integrate the needs of motorcyclists into the country’s political and legislative discourse.
Source: MiMub in Spanish
