7.1 Summary

Policy changes and design improvements significantly affect the experience and safety of motorcyclists.  However, the role of the maintenance engineer has a critical impact on this mode of travel in the following key areas:

• providing a consistent road surface with suitable skid resistance;
• keeping roads clear of contamination and debris;
• maintaining visibility, especially at bends and junctions;
• ensuring best practice in maintaining road signs, road studs and markings;
• implementing efficient, well-publicised systems to encourage members of the public to report road defects which require prompt attention;
• developing maintenance policies that focus on preventative action;
• designing winter maintenance regimes with motorcyclist safety in mind; and
• ensuring that road works are safe for all road users.