A motorcyclist from Northern Ireland is calling on the Department for Infrastructure to do more to improve the safety of some of the most vulnerable road users.
Martyn Boyd from Co Down is the Northern Ireland representative for Motorcycle Action Group UK (MAG-UK), a volunteer-led group promoting motorcycling and representing motorcyclists.
In 2023/24, there were 11 motorcyclists killed on our roads and 104 were seriously injured during the same time period. Martyn claims that despite recognising motorcyclists as the most vulnerable road users, the DfI "virtually ignores our existence and does nothing to improve our safety."
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The Department for Infrastructue said they have recently reinstated funding to support the Motor Vehicle and Road User GCSE which aims to improve road safety. A Road Safety Strategy to 2030 was subject to consultation, which the Department said included input from MAG-UK.
Martyn said MAG-UK would like to see an Enhanced Rider Scheme in place in Northern Ireland. Similar to schemes in Great Britain, they would check riders skills while providing training to help improve and stay safe on the roads.
Speaking to Belfast Live, he said: "We would be keen for the DfI to get their finger out and coordinate with other stakeholders as well as motorcyclists and establish in Northern Ireland what's called an Enhanced Rider Scheme, similar to what they have in Great Britain. It's a scheme of training aimed at post-test riders.
"When you're learning, you're taught the basics of motorcycling, and then you can pass your test and then you're free to ride on the road by yourself. An enhanced scheme takes you from those basic skills and builds upon them. It makes you a more confident and safer rider, riders that are more confident in their skills and in what they're doing, and comfortable on the road are inherently safer.
"This has been proven with the enhanced rider scheme in England, it's been proven that motorcycle involved collisions are reduced when motorcyclists receive some extra training.
"We actually view it as discrimination against motorcyclist safety because of where we live. While the scheme is aimed at motorcycling, it has a wider holistic effect. It can save a collision in which not just a rider could be traumatised or killed, but perhaps a car driver, passenger, or pedestrian."
Such a scheme could work in conjuction with the existing Bike Safe scheme operated by the PSNI, Martyn suggested. He added: "The Bike Safe scheme is fabulous. We encourage any riders, new, old, or whatever, to take part. It's not a training scheme, it's an awareness course.
"Police would bring you out and talk about your ride, while pointing out where they think you may need to pay more attention or take a couple of lessons on cornering or positioning on the road. It used to be free, and suffered from a lack of uptake.
"It was reformed a number of years ago and now it costs £65 for the full day session, and they're overbooked all the time, they can't keep up with bookings. People are happy to pay for the extra training.
"Reports from Bike Safe could be used by existing training schools in Northern Ireland for the enhanced safety scheme. They could take that report and see what you need to start on."
Regarding a recent consultation proposing to extend the period for taxis using bus lanes to reduce congestion, Martyn said this poses safety risks to motorcyclists who utilise the lanes.
He said: "When it comees to the congested areas of Belfast, it keeps us separated from the rest of motor traffic and it enhances our safety. From the DfI's point of view, I can see how allowing more taxis in bus lanes would look like a good idea.
"But we feel it would, and cyclists are feeling the same, it compromises the reason why cyclists and motorcyclists were allowed access to the bus lanes to enhance our safety in the first place. More motor vehicle types using bus lanes compromises our safety.
A DfI spokesperson said: “John O’Dowd launched the Road Safety Strategy to 2030 and a supporting 2024/25 Action Plan in September 2024. The Road Safety Strategy was the subject of wide consultation, including input from MAG. It aims to improve road safety for everyone.
“The Department has also reinstated funding to support the Motor Vehicle and Road User (MVRUS) GCSE, which is designed to improve road safety. The GCSE targets young people, who are sadly over-represented in road traffic fatalities and serious injuries, and includes a practical element in which pupils learn the safe use of a moped.
“The Department’s total planned expenditure for Road Safety Advertising in 2024-25 is £650k. This includes two campaigns addressing both Driver and Rider Responsibility, as motorcyclist casualties are roughly 50/50 responsibility. These are due to air in March 2025.
“The Department’s Share the Road to Zero road safety website https://www.sharetheroadtozero.com/ also promotes motorcyclist safety.“
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