The Elite Rider Programme, created by MCIA, road safety and training experts, government departments and respected, associated organisations launches today. The aims of the initiative are to increase the number of riders undertaking post-test training, and to encourage riders to be considerate toward other road users and the environment.
Road safety statistics demonstrate rider safety continues to be a major challenge for the sector where Industry, road safety experts and Government all believe the best way to address this is to increase the number of riders taking up post-test training. To put this into perspective, only around 14% of all motorcycle full licence holders undergo any form of further rider training. The Elite initiative’s main goal is to increase this percentage significantly.
Post-test training is not only proven to be a key factor in improving road safety for the motorcyclist, but it also speeds up the development of riding skills giving more confidence, and in-turn increasing the enjoyment levels of riding.
The large majority of motorcyclists are very respectful toward other road users and the environment, but as we see more and more electric cars hitting the road, excessive noise from motorcycles is becoming a major threat to the sector. As a result, we are seeing several European Governments taking firm action to address this issue. We want to encourage riders not to fit non-road legal exhaust systems and to be more considerate when riding.
To support the Elite Rider Training Initiative, the Elite Rider Hub is being launched. This platform will be a “one stop shop” where riders will be able to find a wealth of information and support to improve their skills. The Hub contains information and contact details of the nationally available post-test rider training schemes, with advice for riders, and links to book training. This makes it easier for riders to identify the most suitable post-test training opportunities. This will benefit many road safety professionals and industry colleagues who can point riders to the Elite Rider Hub, rather than listing numerous links to different post-test training providers.
With such a broad range of organisations* supporting the initiative, bringing with them a wealth of knowledge and expertise, there has never been such a large group so focussed on working together to ensure riders can easily access information and services, to improve their riding and make them safer road users.
Tony Campbell MCIA CEO says: “As an industry we believe that better trained riders will be safer riders, and post-test training will be the best way to address this. Improving our road safety record will be key to the industry’s future. However, this is not just the riders fault, therefore MCIA will continue to pressure Government on what can be done to improve infrastructure, safe road space and the training of other road users, we will also be calling for improved awareness campaigns to ensure Motorcyclists are more considered by other road users”.
Visit the website at www.eliteriderhub.co.uk