Prompted by two motorcycle fatalities in the Moyle area in April 2009, one on the A2 “Coast Road”, motorcyclists were invited to attend meetings with the Moyle District Policing Partnership (DPP).
An initial public meeting was called at the beginning of June by Oliver McMullan.
Purpose
The purpose of this was to engage in dialogue with local and regional motorcycle groups and organisations, council representatives of Moyle District (North Antrim Coast Road area) and the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland), including Bikesafe – an assessment program run by the PSNI for motorcyclists regarding their riding skills.
Subsequent meetings were well attended with representatives from motorcycle clubs, including the Ancestors MCC, Quay Vipers MCC, Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club and individual riders.
Representatives from the Roads Service also attended to give an overview of their work, with Moyle DPP Manger Adrian Proctor managing the “group”.
Councillor Oliver McMullan said, “As Chairman of the DPP, I am very pleased with the overwhelming response to the invites that I sent out for this meeting. Road safety is an issue that is frequently referred to in meetings of the DPP and is, therefore, a topic that I felt compelled to pursue as a Chairman’s initiative in partnership with the relevant bodies concerned.”
Right To Ride and the Quay Vipers MCC prepared a consultation document with the aim to give background information from a motorcyclist’s point of view for the first public meeting.
Motorcyclists Point of View
Right To Ride and the Quay Vipers MCC prepared a consultation document for the first public meeting.
The aim was to give background information from a motorcyclist’s point of view, regarding the ongoing issue of motorcycle safety concerns about the A 2 Antrim Coast Road – and the continuation of the A2 through the Moyle District Council area.
The conclusions were;
- There is public concern regarding motorcycles and the concentration of riders on the coast road both in the “rural” and “urban” areas.
- These concerns may be subjective but are genuine for the local population, who may suffer noise intrusion and quality of life issues.
- It is a fact that the majority of riders treat the coast road and other vehicle users with respect.
- In our opinion, there is a minority of riders whose attitude is to use the coast road as a weekend race track and due to their actions, they may be perceived as the majority.
- Although these riders’ actions are what are remembered by the public, residents and other users of the coast road, the majority of motorcyclists are not and should not be identified as “the problem”.
There are also many instances of reckless car drivers, ignoring traffic regulations and speed warnings.
- To find a way forward regarding the issue of motorcycle safety in the context of looking at the dynamics of the coast road and adjoining feeder roads for the safety of all road users.
To read the submitted document Joined Up Safety – Ride It Right – pdf 2.8mb – Click Here
Saving the Route
We welcome the opportunity to participate in these meetings, to offer the riders’ perspective and to engage with the relevant authorities and other members of the public.
We wish to find an acceptable way forward regarding the issue of motorcycle safety in the context of looking at the dynamics of the coast road for the safety of all road users.
Ride It Right
Further meetings took place in July and August and the decision to hold a motorcycle event in August on the “Causeway Coastal Route” was taken and to develop a website to promote the event.
The Routes
We do not want to stop on the issues on the Antrim Coast Road and we look forward to expanding the idea by identifying “biker routes” across the province with input from other riders – agencies and organisations.
Chair
Ride It Right
Trevor Baird
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