Motorcyclists remain one of the most disproportionately affected groups on our roads. In the latest episode of The T Junction podcast, Steve Ferris is joined by Rob Gilligan and Sam Scott to explore a timely and challenging question: Does the new Road Safety Strategy do enough to reduce motorcycle casualties?
The discussion brings together operational experience, evaluation insight and Safe System thinking – and highlights where the strategy shows promise, as well as where important gaps remain.
A strategy light on detail?
For Rob Gilligan, the answer to the episode’s central question is a clear “no”. While welcoming the overall ambition of the strategy, Rob argues that it lacks sufficient detail for a road user group that continues to experience a disproportionate share of killed and seriously injured outcomes.
Rob welcomes the Transport Committee’s intention to further develop the strategy, describing this as an opportunity to “put some meat on the bones” and ensure that the needs of all road users – including powered two‑wheelers – are properly addressed.
One positive noted is the inclusion of Scotland’s PRIME road marking system, designed to support safer riding through bends. However, Rob notes that while it appears promising, he has yet to see it implemented in practice in England, making its real‑world impact difficult to judge at this stage.
Licensing, training and progression: signs of progress
Sam Scott takes a more optimistic view of the elements relating to motorcycle licensing and training. He highlights the consultation’s focus on Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) as a significant positive step. Research discussed in the podcast suggests that some riders perceive CBT as offering limited value, raising important questions about how its syllabus could be strengthened or rebalanced.
The strategy also encourages stakeholders to think more holistically about rider progression – from CBT through AM, A1, A2 and on to full unrestricted licences. Sam notes that this creates an opportunity to examine where the licensing system can better support safer decision‑making, rather than riders repeatedly re‑taking CBT instead of accessing appropriate training for higher‑powered machines.
This focus aligns with a broader Safe System principle: ensuring that system design supports safe behaviour, rather than relying solely on individual responsibility.
Graduated approaches – already part of motorcycling?
When the conversation turns to young riders, Sam reflects that motorcycle licensing already contains elements of a graduated system, with age and prior licence status determining access to different machines. In that sense, motorcycling differs from car licensing, where Graduated Driver Licensing remains a major policy debate.
However, both speakers agree that this does not mean the system is complete. There are still gaps in exposure to appropriate training, as well as opportunities to better promote post‑test initiatives such as BikeSafe, Biker Down and advanced rider training alongside statutory requirements.
The riders we often overlook
A particularly important theme in the episode is rider diversity. Rob highlights a group that receives relatively little attention in the strategy: people who return to motorcycling later in life. Often with more disposable income and access to higher‑powered machines, this cohort can face elevated risk, yet is not clearly targeted within current policy thinking.
Sam extends this discussion by emphasising that motorcyclists are a highly heterogeneous group. Evaluations Agilysis has supported – including work linked to Biker Down and insights from the National Rider Forum – underline how risk varies across age, purpose of travel and socio‑economic background.
The podcast also touches on gig‑economy riders, many of whom are younger, harder to reach, and may face additional layers of vulnerability. As patterns of work and mobility continue to change, the speakers argue that motorcycle safety must be considered through multiple lenses, not treated as a single, uniform problem.
What this means for road safety policy
This episode of The T‑Junction makes one thing clear: motorcycle safety cannot be solved with a one‑size‑fits‑all approach. While the new Road Safety Strategy contains welcome signals – particularly around licensing and training – it risks falling short unless it better reflects the diversity of riders, routes into motorcycling, and patterns of risk.
For Agilysis, this conversation reinforces the importance of evidence‑led evaluation, inclusive engagement with rider communities, and Safe System thinking that considers vehicles, infrastructure, training and behaviour together.
T-Junction 9: Does the Road Safety Strategy do enough for Motorcycle Users?
