The Motor Cycle Industry was rewarded for its commitment to improving
motorcycle safety by the presentation of a Prince Michael Road Safety
Award.
The team met Prince Michael, who congratulated them on their safety
strategy and wide ranging initiatives that have been co-ordinated by
Karen Cook, Head of Motorcycle Safety. The MCI stepped up its commitment
to road safety in 2003 when it produced a challenging 19 Point Safety
Strategy which highlighted the priorities and actions that the industry
and the Government need to focus on.
The Industry has been responsible for initiating a range of motorcycle
safety actions which arose from the strategy, these included;
- Media Relations that would promote responsible riding
- Production of A Street, A Track and Open Road educational DVD
which has been distributed free of charge
- The distribution of the DfT Take Control' Leaflet to buyers of
new motorcycles.
- Internal restructuring, creating a Motorcycle Safety Committee
(MSC), designed to take safety to the highest priority
- Developing its interests in road safety education, particularly
among the young, which led to the production of the DVD 'Act Your Age'
and Links an education pack linked to the Citizenship curriculum.
MCI will now focus on issues related to training and testing, the
development of the post-test training register, working with
organisations such as BikeSafe, accident research and working to evolve
the National Motorcycle Council into a full Government partnership body.
The National Motorcycle Council is now a driving force in the
implementation of the Government's National Motorcycle Strategy which
aims to make the roads safer for bikes and reduce the number of
casualties.
Karen Cooke, MCI's Head of Motorcycle Safety said, "The MCI team has
worked tremendously hard to achieve this and will continue to strive
towards reduced casualties. There has been a reduction in the number of
motorcycle casualties and as initiatives start to take more of an effect
we expect the downward trend to continue. This award is a boost for the
industry and for road safety, but doesn't mean we will become complacent
as we still have plenty to do."
Adrian Walsh director of the awards scheme said: ' The commitment and
leadership shown by the motorcycle industry trade association is quite
outstanding - its effect has had a remarkable impact on motorcycle
safety'.
