Motorcycling and cycle training are hot topics at P&M meeting

LARSOA's final Policy and Management meeting of the year on 9 December was attended by 17 members, with every region was represented.

One of the key topics on the agenda was motorcycling. There is widespread concern about mounting motorcycle casualties - in particular among riders of very powerful sports bikes generally aged 35 years and upwards, and urban riders on scooters and mopeds, usually between the ages of 17 and 20 years.

LARSOA is represented on a number of bodies including the National Motor Cycle Strategy Group, the National Motor Cycle Council and the Government Advisory Group. Graham Riley, Marilyn Cranfield and Gareth Tuffery, who represent the Association on powered two wheeler riders, presented a summary of recent discussions and initiatives.

They explained that there is a move underway to establish a rider improvement course similar to the well-established driver improvement course. In addition, the IHT is producing guidelines to ensure motorcyclists needs are considered during road design and development, and a national motorcycle strategy is anticipated.

North Wales Police has also asked LARSOA to make a financial contribution to the BikeSafe programme, and will present a costed proposal during 2005.

The meeting then moved on to discuss the National Cycling Standard, and its implications for road safety officers. There is still anxiety that RSOs will be asked to implement the standard without receiving adequate additional resources. The question of instructor training and accreditation also remains to be resolved.

With regard to work related road safety, during 2005 all regions should be involved in seminars to cascade good practice, and a draft programme from the National Staff Training Group was approved.

Delegates also heard that that the website will undergo a programme of maintenance and updating during 2005, and that in order to make navigation easier the homepage is to be redesigned.

Finally it was agreed that Janet Kirrage and Theresa Casbard will represent the Association on RoadSafe, while Sue Ellis (Hertfordshire CC) will take the place of Ian Harris on the Child Accident Prevention Trust and related initiatives.