Funding boost to evaluate ‘lifesaving’ BikeSafe motorcyclist improvement scheme
The Road Safety Trust has announced new funding that will enable a full evaluation of the national BikeSafe rider improvement scheme to be carried out.
BikeSafe is a long-standing police-led motorcycle safety initiative, first established in 2000 and this year celebrates its 25th anniversary.
The scheme offers riders the opportunity to improve their road awareness and riding skills through observed rides and workshops delivered by advanced police motorcyclists. It transitioned under UKROEd governance and administration earlier this year, and there is now an opportunity to undertake the first formal evaluation since its inception.
The evaluation will generate evidence on the effectiveness of BikeSafe workshops in improving rider safety, their role in influencing progression to formal training, and their impact on public confidence in policing. It will also explore operational benefits for participating police forces, barriers to engagement, and opportunities to improve governance, delivery, and communication.
The funding has been provided to Dr Elizabeth Box, Director of ECM Research Solutions, who will conduct the evaluation on BikeSafe’s behalf.
Dr Box said: “As BikeSafe celebrates 25 years of supporting rider development, this evaluation offers a timely opportunity to assess its impact, explore how the scheme contributes to safer riding, and identify areas for enhancement. The evaluation will bring together insights from riders, police forces, and those delivering the scheme to highlight what’s working well, where improvements can be made, and how the scheme supports public confidence in policing.
“I’m really pleased to be working with UKROEd and the NPCC on this important project, and grateful to The Road Safety Trust for funding a piece of research that will help shape the future of one of the UK’s longest-standing motorcycle safety initiatives.”
Findings from the evaluation will inform future development of the scheme and provide UKROEd, the NPCC, and the wider road safety sector with clear, evidence-based recommendations.
Simon Blatchly OBE, Deputy Chief Constable at Derbyshire Constabulary and NPCC Lead for Motorcycles & BikeSafe said: “BikeSafe has now been running for 25 years and the feedback we get from those who attend the courses is overwhelmingly positive.
“However we don’t want to rest on our laurels so it is important that we continuously develop the scheme to make sure that BikeSafe always meets the needs of riders across the country.
“Securing this funding is excellent news as it will allow us to really assess how effective BikeSafe courses are and to shape future workshops so we can do all we can to equip riders with additional skills to ensure they can have a safe and enjoyable ride every time they hit the road.”
Ruth Purdie OBE, chief executive of The Road Safety Trust, added: “We are very pleased to be able to support BikeSafe in this way. For decades, the scheme has provided invaluable post-test training to thousands of motorcyclists – which has undoubtedly helped to save lives.
“On its 25th anniversary, it’s important that a thorough evaluation of the scheme is carried out to ensure that the training inputs and workshops are fit for purpose and effective. I look forward to Dr Box’s findings and seeing what further improvements might be made to this already excellent initiative.”
30 July 2025