England's first biker safety markings introduced
Derbyshire PoliceNew road markings and signs designed to help motorcyclists navigate bends more safely have been introduced in England for the first time.
The new measures are on the B6015 Woodhead Road at Devil's Elbow, near Glossop, and the A6, between Buxton and Bakewell, in Derbyshire.
The scheme is being delivered by Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire Police and National Highways.
PRIME, which stands for Perceptual Rider Information for Maximising Expertise and Enjoyment, was first funded and introduced on trunk roads in Scotland by the Road Safety Trust, and has since been rolled out at four locations in Wales.
Getty ImagesDerbyshire County Council is the first English highway authority to receive special authorisation from the Department for Transport to introduce PRIME.
The markings encourage riders to travel through the gaps between them, helping them choose an appropriate speed and road position before entering the bend and reducing the need to brake while negotiating it, the council said.
Councillor Charlotte Hill, the authority's cabinet member for highways, said she was "proud" to be the first county in England to introduce the initiative.
"Derbyshire's roads are enjoyed by motorcyclists from across the region, and we want riders to be able to enjoy them safely," said Hill.
"By working with Derbyshire Constabulary and National Highways, we are taking a practical, evidence-led approach to improving motorcycle safety across the county."
Locations for PRIME were selected following analysis of motorcycle collision data from 2015 to 2024, the county council said.
The authority said it looked for "clusters of motorcycle collisions on rural roads", with additional consideration given to locations where bends or loss of control appeared to have been contributing factors.
'Well received'
Derbyshire Police said it intended to use existing roadside camera equipment to observe rider behaviour before and after the markings were introduced at selected locations.
The observations will examine factors including riders' speed and road position, police added.
The initial installations will allow the project partners to "learn from the process" before work progresses at the remaining locations covered by the Department for Transport authorisation.
The rollout will include approved locations on:
- A57 Snake Pass
- A54 Macclesfield Main Road
- A53 Axe Edge
- B6015 Woodhead Road
- A623 Peak Forest
- A6 between Buxton and Bakewell
- B5035 Middleton-by-Wirksworth
Temporary Chief Constable Simon Blatchly, who leads the National Police Chiefs' Council's motorcycle portfolio, said: "As a biker myself, I am committed to doing all we can to make sure that every rider who enjoys our scenic Derbyshire roads does so in the safest way possible and gets home to their loved ones after their ride.
"It is an innovative safety system which will help keep motorcyclists safe and I'd encourage everyone who enjoys riding in our county to follow the markings when they see them.
"As part of our commitment to motorcycle safety, which has this year seen the launch of our Own Your Ride campaign, we will be undertaking evaluation at the sites using PRIME markings, alongside academic research to ensure their effectiveness.
"PRIME has been well received in Scotland and Wales, so it is positive to see it now coming to England and I am proud that Derbyshire is spearheading the rollout."
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