The NW200, Northern Ireland

Bermuda Road Safety

We are committed to improving the safety of Bermuda's public roads through our race. Statistics show that when people have access to regulated provision for racing motorcycles, the number of road traffic incidents drop. This is because people will ride motorcycles at speed, regardless. And if they have a carefully considered route to do so, on closed roads without the risk of oncoming traffic or pedestrians, then it is the obvious choice.

However, when people do not have the choice, it is demonstrated that incidents rise. These incidents often occur after the victim has consumed alcohol, leading to an inflated sense of courage and ability. We are painfully aware of this in Bermuda, with a road fatality rate of 12 in 65,000 last year, and a high incidence of alcohol consumption within those figures.

Now study the figures below to see how regions providing regulated motorsport compare:

Northern Ireland: 8 - 12 motorcycle road races annually. 1,811,000 population. Road fatalities last year: 55. This equates to 2 in 65,000.

Isle of Man: Within the 83,000 population, which does not have national speed limits in many parts, and hosts an influx of 42,000 bikers for 3 weeks every year, the Isle of Man achieves a ratio of 4.6 in 65,000.

Monaco: Population 30,000. Race cars power through city centre roads at 370kph for the Monaco Grand Prix. Monaco has the lowest road mortality rate in the world. 0 in 65,000.

How could a road race in Bermuda help reduce road traffic casualties?

1. Regulated provision: An opportunity for people to exercise their "need for speed", in a reduced risk environment with impact barriers and many other safety enhancements. This decreases the number of people trying to do this on open roads.

2. Knowledge & Skill:  The motorcycle community grows, and within that community, road safety education grows. All racers must be a member of a motorcycle club (our partnered club in Bermuda is BMRA). In order to race, prospects must achieve top ranking in club contests, as well as qualifying against national and international opponents ahead of the race meet. This means that the community grows and develops, passing on safety knowledge and skill sets to members and their friends. Bottom line, more people in Bermuda will be more proficient drivers.

3. Credible Ambassadors: Successful racers become high profile role models, national heroes who hold influence within the youth community that need to hear the road safety message. These influencers actively deliver the message of responsible driving with much more impact than the Police or other authorities can manage. The racers are the right people to send that message, and they have a public platform to do so.

4. Infrastructure: Wherever there is a big race event with millions watching, infrastructure improves. In Bermuda we saw it with the America's Cup, and we saw it with the ITU Triathlon. Improved road paving, modern technology, more thought and attention to detail in the everyday upkeep of the roads. Safer roads.

5. Effective Policing: The North West 200 and the Isle of Man TT have a strategic Police presence at their race events. They work alongside the promotion, offering engaging services such as rider training. They also run several activities designed to appeal to children, and help to get the right road safety values instilled from an early age.

6. Incentivized Behaviors: The Bermuda Charge encompasses a rule which will improve driving behavior and road safety in Bermuda. Applicants who do not have a satisfactory record on their driving licence (for 24 months previous to the race) will not be accepted. The design behind this rule addresses multiple concerns:​

• It will encourage young local riders, who have just qualified for their licence, to use the privilege carefully if they want to transition to road racing at our entry level age of 21.
• Racers who have achieved a road racing licence will need to keep abiding by the laws of the road, or risk having their race licence revoked and losing their hobby/career.
• It will deter race prospects from testing their skills on public roads.

The Bermuda Charge will also actively encourage road safety groups, advanced riding schools and youth riding schools to have a presence at the Race Village during the event. It is in the interests of everyone involved to use this public platform to deliver road safety education. We are already consulting with the Road Safety Council, Bermuda Motorcycling Academy and Drive for Change to align our objectives.