Motorcyclists only account for 1% of traffic, but make up just under 20% of deaths on the road. They have a higher crash and injury rate than vehicle occupants.
RideFree is a new Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) digital rider theory course. It is aimed at new riders and contains a series of 6 online modules to be taken by the learner rider before the Compulsory Basic Training (CBT).
The DVSA enhanced rider scheme checks the motorcyclist’s riding skills and provides training. There is no test.
Government’s THINK! advice for motorcyclists:
Position yourself in the safest and best place to maximise your visibility of potential hazards.
Take a “lifesaver’ glance over your shoulder before carrying out manoeuvres, so you know where other vehicles are.
Make sure to wear the right gear. Fall off your bike and tarmac will shed your jeans in seconds. Bikers must wear a protective jacket, gloves, boots and trousers.
Wear bright florescent gear during the day and reflective gear at night.
Choosing the right helmet could help save your life. Sharp ratings help you understand how much protection a helmet offers in a crash. Visit the Department for Transport’s SHARP website.
Consider further skills training to improve your performance, confidence and safety on the road.
About a quarter of motorcycle fatalities happen on rural roads, often on a bend. RoSPA have a selection of short films which highlight the skills required by motorcyclists to safely negotiate bends.
Useful links
The National Young Rider Forum (NYRF)
Collision and Casualty Data. Search with interactive map and filter by mode, location and age.
Police’s Operation Snap for video submission of riding and driving offences.