The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme will be expanded to raise standards within the motorcycle delivery industry.
The move is part of Transport for London (TfL) and the Mayor’s Vision Zero approach to eliminating death and serious injury from collisions on the capital’s roads by 2041.
Figures published by TfL last month show that motorcycle riders and their pillions accounted for 27% of serious injuries and 28% of all road fatalities in the Capital during 2016, despite making up just 2% of road traffic.
TfL is working closely with the motorcycle delivery and courier industry to explore the expansion of FORS to include those companies which use motorcycles in London.
The voluntary standard has been successfully used in the haulage industry since 2011 to promote safety, efficiency and environmental best practice, awarding companies bronze, silver or gold accreditations depending on the standard achieved.
TfL is the first organisation in the country to work with the industry to create a recognised standard for motorcycle delivery companies.
This standard will cover areas such as management, operations, vehicles and drivers, and companies will be audited on factors including vehicle maintenance, rider training and good operations.
Alongside the development of the FORS accreditation, TfL has created three new training courses for motorcyclists in the Capital, which boost rider confidence, skills and knowledge before and after compulsory basic training (CBT):
- Preparing for your CBT: a short, free online course aimed at new and young riders, which includes essential riding theory and key elements of The Highway Code
- Beyond CBT: Skills for Delivery Riders: a one-day post CBT top-up course fully funded by TfL which teaches riders more about the Highway Code, how to secure and ride with a load, plan routes, make safe deliveries and carry out routine maintenance checks on their motorcycle
- 1-2-1 Motorcycle Skills: a free, two-hour, tailor-made one-to-one session with a qualified instructor. Aimed at commuters and those who ride lower capacity motorcycles, riders can use the session to improve confidence on a particular route, such as home to work
To improve the standard of motorcycling and training further, TfL will also lobby the Government for changes in the way motorcyclists are licensed and support the Motorcycle Industry Association’s training provider accreditation scheme.
Val Shawcross, deputy mayor for transport, said: “We have bold ambitions to make London’s roads safer for everyone, and the high rates of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured on our roads is an absolute tragedy.
“Through our pioneering Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme we are working with the industry to improve safety and drive up standards for all riders, and we are determined to increase the quality and availability of training that riders can receive.
“But there’s still more we need to do, which is why alongside TfL the Mayor will be lobbying the Government to follow our lead and do more to improve the safety of every road user in London.”
Edward Handley - 25/10/2017 14:00
This is a very good move, but would be even better if they included a new standard for the cycle delivery companies - there are a huge number of cyclists delivering food and other items that are completely unregulated. If TfL are serious about lobbying for improvements in motorcycle licensing they would do well to start with banning Companies from using provisional licence holders from doing deliveries on mopeds and small motorbikes. There are a huge number of young riders out there delivering pizza and other stuff on provisional licences on the strength of having passed CBT only. How can it be considered safe to let a young an inexperienced rider loose on the streets of a city delivering fast food having passed a one day training course only?