East Coast LA’s & An Garda Siochana come together to launch Multi-agency Motor Bike Campaign

On Friday 2nd May, East Coast LA’s, South Dublin County Council along with An Garda Síochána , in collaboration with Wicklow County Council, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and Dublin City Council is launching their ‘Think Twice, Think Bike’ campaign.
This high-profile multi-agency initiative will include Radio & Social media campaigns aimed at motor cyclists, highlighting the dangers facing them when out on our roads, particularly as summer approaches, more motorcyclists will be taking to the roads.
According to the RSA, 105 motorcyclists were fatally injured, and 921 motorcyclists were seriously injured between 2019 and 2023, representing 14% of fatalities and 13% of serious injuries.
The campaign coincides with the May Bank Holiday weekend and will run throughout the weekend period. The campaign focuses on highlighting ’Safe Ways’ to protect you as a motorcyclist and encourages safer road use, highlighting to drivers that motorcyclists are vulnerable road user.

To promote safer behaviour and taking responsibility the campaign will include the following tips: 

• Before you head out on the roads, get someone to ride with you, effectively shadowing you to ensure you have not got rusty, as your motorbike may have been parked up since last summer. 
• Let them assess /check your lines and give constructive feedback
 • Are you driving safely, or are there some areas you can improve 
• Check you are familiar with your bike 
• Check your bike is in good road worthy condition 
• Are you a danger to yourself or to others?
 • Are you familiar with any changes that may have occurred in relation to the ‘Rules of the Road’ since you last took your Motorcycle out on the road?

Road Safety Officer at South Dublin County Council Orlaith Maguire said ‘the campaign is aimed at creating awareness of motorcyclists on our roads, the safe use of motorcycles, targeting both motor bike riders and car drivers alike. Research shows that almost 51% of fatalities occur on a weekend day (Saturday / Sunday) It only takes a split second to change someone’s life forever, and as a driver you have to ask yourself could you live with the consequence of your actions? So far this year there have been 10 motor cyclist fatalities on Irish roads. We all share the road, so let’s all come together and together we can do this’.

‘ Think Twice , Think Bike’. Further information can be found by emailing info@sdublincoco.ie

Superintendent Thomas Murphy, Garda National Roads Policing Bureau said ‘An Garda Síochána are delighted to work alongside and support South Dublin County Council and the other East Coast Local Authorities in the launch of this very important multi-agency road safety campaign designed towards promoting the safe and enjoyable use of motorcycles on our roads, whilst at the same time advising other road users to remember that there will be an increased number of motorcyclists on our roads over the summer period and to take additional extra care when turning at junctions or entering onto a roadway. We are urging all drivers over this Bank Holiday weekend and summer period to slow down and be aware of your surroundings at all times’.

An Garda Siochana fully participate with delivering BikeSafe programme at various locations throughout the country. This road safety initiative includes video pre-learning, a motorcycle safety/skills theory, classroom based workshop and an observed ride led by Advanced Garda Motorcyclists and is free of charge, T&C apply.

Wicklow County Council’s Road Safety Officer Linda Healy said ‘The Bank Holiday weekend is a great occasion to be out enjoying our wonderful countryside and take part in activities. As this can lead to an increase in traffic on our roads, it is important that we work together to share and make our roads a safer place. Research shows that there is an increase in road traffic collision over bank holidays, but these can be avoided if we all make responsible choices when using the roads. We are appealing to all road users to take extra care on our roads this weekend’

Road Safety Engineer at Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Gerry Flaherty said, ‘behind every fatal casualty in a collision will be a family who are expecting them to come home. This campaign is about encouraging motorcyclists to take care when on the road with the aim of reducing the high number of collisions involving motorcyclists. Although a motorcyclist may not be at fault, their vulnerability invariable means that they can suffer more serious injuries in a collision’.

Zewar Zyada Dublin City Council Road Safety Engineer said ‘this multi-agency campaign shows the strength of collaboration across East Coast Local Authorities and An Garda Síochána in promoting safer roads. By working together and raising awareness, we can reduce risk and support safer choices for all road users’.

Mayor Baby Pereppaddan of South Dublin County Council expressed his delight at the launch of South Dublin’s multi-agency Motor Cyclist Campaign “Think Twice – Think Bike” noting that with summer fast approaching there will be a lot more motorcyclists out and about on our roads. He urges both motorcyclists and car drivers alike to look out for each other as we all share the road together

ENDS

Photo Caption: Mayor of SDCC Cllr. Baby Pereppadan with  Orlaith Maguire (Road Safety Officer SDCC), Zewar Zyada - Road Safety Officer Dublin City Council, Garda Superintendent Tom Murphy, Gerry Flaherty - Road Safety Engineer Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council, Linda Healy - Road Safety Officer Wicklow Council,  members of the Gardai Road Policing Unit, Driving instructer Andy Maslan and student Lorcan Hickey at the launch of  the Think Safe, Think Bike motorcycle safety awareness campaign - Photo Ben Ryan