Great Roads Great Rides 2
- new DVD takes bikers out to read the clues the road can give
HIGHWAYS AGENCY News
Release (HA10-09) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 25
February 2009
The Highways
Agency is following up on its highly successful Driver Information
Programme for motorcyclists - Great Roads Great Rides - with a new
interactive DVD-ROM.
"Great Roads Great Rides 2" is a new resource to help
riders 'read the road' successfully and stay safe while
enjoying their biking experience. It will be launched on
Wednesday, February 25 at the annual RoSPA Road Safety Congress in Blackpool.
The package includes a DVD film and interactive package. With
clever filming techniques, it puts the viewer on the bike, inside
the helmet and close to the road, and features a 14-minute
ride-out from motorway on to urban and countryside roads.
Riders can then use the second section offering an interactive
challenge when the disc is used with a computer. Here the ride-out
section freezes at specific points so the viewer can have a go at
identifying the clues that they would use when reading the road
ahead. When the viewer gets a highlighted clue right they score a
point. There is also an option to display all useful hints and
tips throughout the journey.
Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick welcomed the new DVD package
in his address to the Congress.
Jim Fitzpatrick said:
"Motorcyclists are the single most vulnerable group on
Britain's roads today - they account for just 1% of all road
traffic, but for 20% of all those killed on the roads. With biking
becoming increasingly popular we want to help riders to enjoy
using the roads safely.
"The new 'Great Roads Great Rides 2' DVD is a
valuable addition to the existing materials designed to improve
the safety of motorcyclists. Filmed using helicopter views and
cameras on the bike and helmet, it gives riders an invaluable view
of the road, helping to sharpen up their observation skills and
riding technique."
Stuart Lovatt, Safety Action Plan Co-ordinator for the Highways
Agency, said:
"We were delighted with the response to the original
'Great Roads, Great Rides' DVD, with 600,000 copies
distributed since its first release in 2006. When we were planning
'Great Roads Great Rides 2', we wanted to build on that
success and listened to what the riders themselves said they
wanted. They highlighted 'reading the road' as the area
they were keen to know more about and that is what we have delivered.
The DVD film features rider Glenn Julian, a RoSPA Diploma holder,
who takes the viewer on his journey and delivers on-going
observations as he rides, helping viewers to spot the clues from
the road environment ahead.
Glenn Julian said:
"I didn't set out to instruct or assess performance but
to describe how I read the road and how this contributes to a
safer and more enjoyable ride.
"The journey is filmed in high definition and delivered in
real-time to create a sense of being involved in the action. We
want the viewer to get actively involved with spotting clues on
the road and that is what makes the DVD an essential and enjoyable
tool for every biker."
Karen Cooke, Director of Motor Cycle Safety of the Motor Cycle
Industry Association, said
"Great Roads Great Rides 2 is an informative and
entertaining DVD providing useful hints which will really help
riders read the road ahead, and consequently enjoy their riding
more while staying safe."
A first run of 60,000 copies has been produced for the launch
with further runs expected in the near future as requests are
received. The DVD will be distributed at events organised or
attended by the Highways Agency and its partners.
Notes to editors
1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department
for Transport. We manage, maintain and improve England's
motorways and major A roads on behalf of the Secretary of State.
2. Motorcyclists accounted for 4.9% of all casualties on the
Highways Agency network of motorway and major A roads in 2007.
They are 30 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured
than car occupants. One in four accidents involved no other
vehicle and almost half of the accidents involving a motorcycle
occurred at a junction.
3. The total number of motorcycle casualties on the Highways
Agency network in 2007 was 1,080; out of a total 21,951 casualties
on all Trunk Roads in 2007.
4. The DVD-ROM and accompanying resources have been produced
with the support from the Department for Transport; Driving
Standards Agency; Association of Chief Police Officers; Chief Fire
Officers Association; Motor Cycle Industry Association; the
Ministry of Defence, the Police and County Councils of Lancashire
and North Yorkshire, Cheshire Fire and Rescue & RoSPA.
Motorcyclist 1994-98(av) 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
casualties
Fatal 31 60 38 52 46 38
Serious 303 396 322 342 325 347
Slights 700 786 704 681 617 695
Total 1242 1064 1075 988 1080
Issued by the Highways Agency Press Office. For further
information please contact 0207 081 7443.