Gardaí launch safety programme for motorcyclists due to 'disproportionate casualty rate'

Almost a thousand motorcyclists have been killed or seriously injured on Irish roads in the last five years. 

That's according to Gardaí, who have today (March 28) launched a new safety initiative specifically aimed at motorcyclists to try to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries. 

The new BikeSafe Programme aims to raise awareness of the issue while identifying areas for rider improvement and motivating participants to progress to further post-test accredited training. 

Ninety three people have reportedly died on motorcycles between 2018 and 2022, with 894 seriously injury collisions occurring in the same time frame. 

Almost half of collisions involving motorcycles occurred at the weekend during summer months (July to September). 

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said, "An Garda Síochána recognises that motorcyclists are more vulnerable than many other road users. Our roads are a shared space to be respected by all road users.

"Unfortunately, in the last five years, more than 90 people on motorbikes have died on our roads and many more have been seriously injured. For many of those motorcyclists this has resulted in life changing injuries not only for them but also for their families.

"There are steps we can all take to improve road safety for all. Each and every one of us has a part to play.

"The goal of Bike Safe is to heighten motorcyclists’ awareness to the daily perils that are encountered on Irish roads. With the ultimate goal to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injury collisions involving them." 

Meanwhile Chair of the Road Safety Authority, Liz O’Donnell, said, "We all know that motorcyclists are very vulnerable road users. They only comprise 2% of the number of vehicles on the road but comprise 12% of the fatalities. So you can see there’s a disproportionate casualty rate among motorcyclists.

"The aim of BikeSafe is to encourage existing motorcyclists to go and apply for this programme. An Garda Síochána will be rolling this out in 13 different centres around the country. The Road Safety Authority supports this initiative. Any motorcyclist who has been biking for a while and has bad habits, it would be a good idea to go to your local advance driving instructor and to get some training there but also people can apply to join these workshops.”

The new programme is open to all motorcycle riders with a full driving licence who are fully insured. 

BikeSafe provides a classroom-based workshop followed by an observed ride by a skilled Advanced Garda Motorcyclist, who will provide honest feedback to the user. 

It was relaunched as a pilot scheme in 2021 by Roads Policing Division in Dublin Castle and has now expanded and will be available in 13 locations across the country.