Technology helping to make Devon roads safer

Devon County Council has praised a unique mobile phone app aimed at motorcyclists that has helped improve safety for bikers on Devon’s roads.

The i-Biker app was launched a year ago on the iPhone and other smartphones. Since then it has been downloaded more than 13,000 times and it is now free to download.Among the routes that have seen an effective reduction in collisions since the launch of the software are:

  • On the A3072 Crediton to Tiverton - 9 before and 2 after.

  • A375 Sidmouth to Honiton - 8 before, 2 after.

  • A379 Plymouth to Kingsbridge – 27 before and 3 after.

  • A376 Exmouth to Exeter - 13 before, 7 after.

  • A380 Newton Abbot to Torquay – 34 before, 11 after.

 

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “The i-biker app puts local knowledge and advice at the fingertips of the motorcyclist so that they can familiarise themselves with Devon’s roads before they actually ride them. We’re determined to reduce motorcycle casualties on Devon’s roads, and we want to ensure bikers can enjoy their ride as safely as possible. This app scores on both of those fronts and I think the reduction in casualties demonstrates that. Although it is only one part of a wider strategy to improve safety for bikers, it is playing a valuable part. However, we still have concerns over the A380 and A376 routes and would particularly urge regular riders of those routes to download the app.”

Motorcyclists who download the app onto their smartphone are able to use it to:

- plan, plot, and save their rides, as well as highlighting points of interest, such as pubs, cafes, cash points, petrol stations and meeting points;

- share their information with other bikers via social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, enabling them to comment on routes;

- sign up to BikeSafe and other enhanced rider post-test training.

The app, managed by social enterprise business Redefine Convention, uses British EuroRAP intelligence provided by the Road Safety Foundation.

For more information and the latest news about the i-Biker app visit facebook.com/ibiker or www.ibikerapp.com

Share this

Gallery