Safety Council figures show motorcyclists most at risk

Motorcyclists are six times more likely to be killed on our roads than other drivers.

That was the message from the National Safety Council today as they launched a new shock ad campaign aimed at encouraging bike safety.

The Council says motorbikes represent less than 2% of licensed vehicles on Irish roads yet motorcyclists account for 12% of road deaths.

It also emerged that 7 out of 10 bikers never received basic riding lessons.

Eddie Shaw, chairman of the National Safety Council, called on the Government to introduce compulsory basic training immediately.

“Everybody agrees with this. The high level group on road safety agrees, the Gardaí agree, the insurance federation agrees, and the National Safety Council agrees," he said.