The Dutch strategic approach to Rider Safety Action Plan for improving road safety for motorcyclist Robbert Verweij senior policy advisor 3 october 2012

The overall Dutch policy on road safety Generic measures combined with specific measures for target groups: 1.Protecting vulnerable road users Motorcyclists Cyclists Elderly people Young, novice drivers 2.Tougher approach to people who cause unsafe situations alcohol or drugs Speeding Cooperation with regional and local road-owners and stakeholders 23 october 2012 The Dutch approach to Riders Safety

Why focus on road safety for riders? 1 in 10 casualties in the Netherlands is a rider, although trend is still declining. European figures indicate that 1 in 6,3 casualties is a biker (16% in ERSO) Focus tends to be on cars, not all that much information on bikes (even simple things like km driven annually). The Dutch approach to Riders Safety33 october 2012

Principles in the actionplan The measures should be evidence-based: first the accident data was analysed to find the paramount reasons that riders are killed: (1) Riders are not given right of way (by cars) at junctions (2) Loss of control of the vehicle Measures should comply with boundary conditions of the Strategic Plan: (1) No disproportional measures inflicting freedom of road users (2) No large amounts of money are available Measures should target (1) rider (2) vehicle (3) infrastructure Measures should be acceptable for all involved (limited enforcement capacity) 43 october 2012 The Dutch approach to Riders Safety

Rider specific paradoxes for an actionplan One the one hand riders are (by statistics) vulnerable road users. On the other hand they are perceived as béing dangerous Relative small percentage of mobility. Relative high percentage of accidents. Riders wánt to be different. These Wild Riders have to convince boring nonriding politicians. 53 october 2012 The Dutch approach to Riders Safety

63 october 2012 The Dutch approach to Riders Safety

Why involving stakeholder is vital Different groups have access to different information -> omitting groups will lead to lack of vital information Taking the views of stakeholders into account will lead to mutual understanding and eye-openers! -> acceptance of measures is vital. Sharing knowledge and facts leads to a common base for discussion -> shared sense of urgency. involving all stakeholders is critically important to ensure successful countermeasures; 711 augustus 2010 The Dutch approach to Riders Safety

Most important measures 1.Development and offering of training of higher order skills for riders 2.Informing riders of effect of protective clothing and safe riding 3.Investigate possibilities to inform car drivers on how to cope with riders 4.Check if during the car driving license test enough effort is put in coping with riders 5.Investigate effect of visibility measures for riders (such as retroreflective clothing or lighting) 6.Merge all infrastructural development aspect relevant to riders in the road-developers manuals. 7.Implement the 3rd Driving License Directive 83 october 2012 The Dutch approach to Riders Safety Work carried out, end: 2012 (Temporarily) postponed Finished: Report ready Follow-up in 2013 Work carried out, end: 2012 Work carried out, end:

Thank you 93 october 2012 The Dutch approach to Riders Safety