Street Spirit is a campaign to improve the safety of riders of powered two wheeled vehicles in Essex and is specifically aimed at YOUNG riders on smaller bikes.

THE STATS

• Riders of powered two wheeled (P2W) vehicles are the highest road user risk group in Essex.
• In 2016 they made up just 0.8% of the traffic but were represented in over 26% of all collisions involving death or serious injury. 
• Young riders (16-25 years) of small capacity machines represent a significant risk. 
• In 2016, nearly 37% of all P2W collisions resulting in death or serious injury involved young riders.
• This encompasses in the main, but not exclusively, young people who are riding mopeds and scooters on L-Plates as their first means of independent travel because they cannot yet afford to run a car.
• The vast majority of this group have their collisions in built up areas, throughout the week, but particularly during afternoon commuting times.
• Collisions tend to occur at junctions and usually involve other vehicles such as cars and vans, with drivers of these vehicles often making poor observations before pulling out.
• Young riders are particularly vulnerable at junctions and on roundabouts, especially if riding at speed.
• Extra training, good hazard awareness and a responsible riding style can help young riders protect themselves from the hazards of negotiating junctions.

CAMpaign aims & objectives

• In light of the clear and evident risks to young riders, The Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) has decided to introduce a specific young rider campaign in 2018/19 called ‘Street Spirit’.
• The purpose of the campaign is to enhance SERP’s level of engagement and education with young, new and prospective moped and scooter riders. 

The campaign seeks to:

• raise their awareness of risk and consequence whilst riding a scooter or moped on the roads
• Highlight the benefits of wearing appropriate protective kit (for both protection and to aid being seen)
• encourage a safer, more responsible approach to riding, road use and personal safety
• encourage further training for those riders who go on to pass their full motorcycle tests

It is hoped that over time the Street Spirit Campaign will lead to a reduction in collisions for these vulnerable young riders.

SERP - the people BEHIND STREET SPIRIT

with thanks to

• Hideout Leathers, Radwinter.
• Devitt Insurance, who have agreed to provide insurance cover for a year to the two winners of the bikes, up to a maximum of £500 each.
• Newcombe Brothers Motorcycles, Chelmsford.
• FirstBike magazine