The council recently launched its Motorcycle Northants initiative as part of a wider plan to encourage sustainable transport options.

Motorcycle Northants will encourage the county’s leisure riders to use their bikes to commute, especially where distance by pedal bike is impractical.  

For the first phase of the project, Motorcycle Northants has put a framework in place to make sure existing and new riders have access to high quality training providers.

A second phase of the project will include looking at increasing motorcycle friendly infrastructure on roads and working with employers to encourage the availability of workplace changing facilities and motorcycle parking.

John Spencer, team leader of road safety and travel choices, Northamptonshire Highways, said: “Greater use of motorcycles can bring environmental, congestion and accessibility benefits, particularly on journeys made for commuting to places of employment or education.”

He also added: “The road safety team in Northamptonshire is committed to improving safety for all road users but is also looking at encouraging different ways to travel. In 2015 we carried out a motorcycle survey to reaffirm why people were using motorbikes, but also why they were not!  We collaborate with various partners like the Motorcycle Industry Association, Get on Team and the Ride to Work team, to encourage people to take up motorcycling as a sustainable and better way of getting around.”

The Ride to Work team has produced a video showing why commuting via motorbike makes sense: https://youtu.be/unS274SU9OM

The campaign also spotlights the many benefits of commuting on a motorcycle, scooter or moped. For more details, visit:  www.ridetoworkweek.co.uk