DLR launches Think Twice, Think Bike campaign

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, South Dublin County Council, Dublin City Council and Wicklow County Council, along with An Garda Siochana launched ‘Think Twice, Think Bike’ campaign.

This high-profile multi-agency initiative will include Radio & Social media campaigns aimed at Motor Cyclists, highlighting the dangers facing them when out on our roads, particularly as summer approaches, more Motor Cyclists will be taking to the roads.  According to the Road Safety Authority, 105 motorcyclists were fatally injured, and 921 motorcyclists were seriously injured between 2019 and 2023, representing 14% of fatalities and 13% of serious injuries.

Gerry Flaherty, Road Safety Engineer at Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said:

“Behind every fatal casualty in a collision will be a family who are expecting them to come home. This campaign is about encouraging Motorcyclists to take care when on the road with the aim of reducing the high number of collisions involving motorcyclists. Although a motorcyclist may not be at fault, their vulnerability invariable means that they can suffer more serious injuries in a collision.”

The campaign coincides with the May Bank Holiday weekend and will run throughout the weekend period. The Campaign focuses on highlighting ’Safe Ways’ to protect you as a Motor Cyclist and encourages safer road use, highlighting to Drivers that Motor Cyclists are Vulnerable Road Users.

To promote safer behaviour and taking responsibility the campaign will include the following tips:

• Before you head out on the roads, get someone to ride with you, effectively shadowing you to ensure you have not got rusty, as your motorbike may have been parked up since last summer.
• Let them assess /check your lines and give constructive feedback
• Are you driving safely, or are there some areas you can improve
• Check you are familiar with your bike
• Check your bike is in good road worthy condition
• Are you a danger to yourself or to others?
• Are you familiar with any changes that may have occurred in relation to the ‘Rules of the Road’ since you last took your Motorcycle out on the road?

Road Safety Officer at South Dublin County Council Orlaith Maguire said:

“The campaign is aimed at creating awareness of Motorcyclists on our roads, the safe use of Motorcycles, targeting both Motor Bike Riders and Car Drivers alike. Research shows that almost 51% of fatalities occur on a weekend day (Saturday / Sunday) It only takes a split second to change someone’s life forever, and as a driver you have to ask yourself could you live with the consequence of your actions? So far this year there have been 10 Motor Cyclist fatalities on Irish road. We all share the road, so let’s all come together and together we can do this.”

Superintendent Thomas Murphy, Garda National Roads Policing Bureau added:

“An Garda Siochana are delighted to work alongside and support SDCC and the other East Coast Local authorities in the launch of this very important multi-agency road safety campaign designed towards promoting the safe and enjoyable use of motorcycles on our roads, whilst at the same time advising other road users to remember that there will be an increased number of motorcyclists on our roads over the summer period and to take additional extra care when turning at junctions or entering onto a roadway.  We are urging all drivers over this Bank Holiday weekend and summer period to slow down and be aware of your surroundings at all times.”