IHE launches new motorcycling guidelines website
The Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE) launched in June 2014 the revised motorcycling guidelines in a brand new multi-platform website.
The award winning guidelines have been updated from the 2005 version and set out practical guidance for transportation professionals on providing a safer environment for motorcycles, mopeds and scooters.
IHE Past President and Motorcycling champion Tony Sharp said, ʺThe new, updated version of IHE’s motorcycling guidelines reflects both changes in policy and advances in technology and knowledge since 2005.”
ʺIt aims to give industry professionals greater awareness of the specific safety needs of powered two-wheelers and looks at effective ways to improve rider safety.”
ʺAlthough there have been several improvements to casualty rates over the last decide, riders are roughly 35 times more likely to be killed and over 50 times more likely to be seriously injured in a reported road collision than car occupants.”
ʺRaising awareness of the specific safety requirements for motorcyclists among professionals is crucial and IHE’s Motorcycling Guidelines are a step in that direction.ʺ
The IHE Guidelines have been cited as best practice both domestically and internationally and were awarded the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in 2005.
The new website was sponsored by the Institute of Highway Engineers, Motorcycle Industry Association Great Britian (MCIA), Department for Transport and Institute of Advanced Motorcyclists.
Northern Ireland
In a document entitled – Progress Update on Implementing Action Measures to 30th April 2013 – regarding the DOE (Department For The Environment) Northern Ireland’s Road Safety Strategy to 2020, the document when refering to Safer Roads and Motorcyclists states:
“We will consider the needs and vulnerability of motorcyclists when designing new roads and implementing safety measures on existing roads.”
That consideration is stated as being the adoption by Roads Service of the Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE) Motorcycling Guidelines for new roads and whenever upgrading existing parts of the network.
What are your thoughts on that?
Visit the new IHE website at: www.motorcycleguidelines.org.uk
Original Source – www.theihe.org
With thanks to Road Safety GB for pointing us in the right direction – www.roadsafetygb.org.uk
From the IHIE Motorcycling Guidelines
Road Design & Traffic Engineering
3.1 Summary
The creation, enhancement and maintenance of highway infrastructure require appropriate consideration of the dimensions and dynamic stability of motorcycles. Designers need to “think bike” and this will involve:
- Sourcing input from suitably trained and experienced riders to inform designs at an early stage and prevent the inadvertent inclusion of features that exacerbate safety risks for riders;
- Understanding the key relationship between the road surface and motorcycle braking, steering and accelerating;
- Exploring new ideas and trialling initiatives (for example, allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes); and
- Taking steps to ensure that any proposed traffic calming schemes will not present unintentional yet serious safety risks to motorcyclists.
Road Maintenance
7.1 Summary
Policy changes and design improvements significantly affect the experience and safety of motorcyclists. However, the role of the maintenance engineer has a critical impact on this mode of travel in the following key areas:
- providing a consistent road surface with suitable skid resistance;
- keeping roads clear of contamination and debris;
- maintaining visibility, especially at bends and junctions;
- ensuring best practice in maintaining road signs, road studs and markings;
- implementing efficient, well-publicised systems to encourage members of the public to report road defects which require prompt attention;
- developing maintenance policies that focus on preventative action;
- designing winter maintenance regimes with motorcyclist safety in mind; and
- ensuring that road works are safe for all road users.
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