International development organisation Transaid has begun key in-country research to enhance understanding of safe motorcycle and three-wheeler use for rural transport in four African countries – Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
The project is funded by DFID as part of the Research for Community Access Partnership (ReCAP), and is being delivered in partnership with road safety NGO Amend and the Transport Research Laboratory. The project is now in the stages of reviewing existing research and good practices, engaging with key stakeholders and designing relevant research areas in each of the four target countries. The initiative is aimed to improve affordable and safe access for people using motorcycles, motorcycle taxis and three-wheelers.
Amongst the experts leading the work is Transaid’s Neil Rettie, Motorcycle Safety Specialist for the project who will provide support to the project’s national experts who hold in-depth knowledge about the four countries.
Rettie says: “The use of motorcycles has increased significantly, and they are now one of the most utilised vehicles on rural roads across these four countries. However, this means of transport is largely informal and therefore strategies to address safety are still relatively underdeveloped, particularly on low-volume roads in rural areas.
“There is a pressing need to establish affordable and appropriate procedures to allow local people to benefit from motorcycle use and services safely. This project aims to develop realistic recommendations and potential solutions which will be beneficial to people who rely on these forms of transport.”
Tom Bishop, Deputy Director of Amend and the project’s Team Leader, says: “We recognise the vital service that motorcycles, and three-wheelers provide in rural areas. Blanket bans are not the answer, but in order to reduce the risk of road crashes concerning these vehicles, a strong framework which takes into account accessibility and safety is necessary.”
The project is due to continue until September 2018, at which point the findings from the research will be shared through media outlets with the goal being that the recommendations be implemented by the government bodies in the four countries.
For more information and to find out how you can support the organisation visit www.transaid.org.
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Note to Editor:
Transaid transforms lives through safe, available, and sustainable transport. Founded by Save the Children, The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), and its Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, the international development organisation shares 25 years’ worth of expertise in 23 countries with partners and governments – empowering people to build the skills they need to transform their own lives.
Transaid’s core work includes creating transport management systems for the public sector and assisting with the provision of professional driving qualification development and the training of driver trainers. It also assists with teaching preventive vehicle maintenance management and introducing local, low cost transport solutions including its innovative bicycle ambulance. Transaid also helps promote road safety awareness and shares its specialist knowledge with the humanitarian aid sector.
Transaid enjoys strong backing from the transport and logistics industry and the active involvement of its patron, HRH The Princess Royal.
For more information on the ReCAP programme: www.Research4cap.org.
For further press information:
Florence Bearman at Transaid +44 (0)20 7387 8136
Rebecca Gleave at Garnett Keeler +44 (0)20 8647 4467, or by email to rebecca.gleave@garnettkeeler.com
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