Effectiveness of an on-road motorcycle rider coaching program: a randomised control trial

There is no compelling evidence to date showing effectiveness of training programs fornewly licensed motorcycle riders. The VicRide program is a low risk, half-day, on-roadmotorcycle coaching program aimed at reducing risk of crash in new riders. This studyevaluated the effectiveness of the program.MethodsA randomised trial was conducted across the state of Victoria, Australia between 2010-2014.Consenting riders were randomly allocated into program or control groups. Those in theprogram group were invited to undertake the coached ride within 6 weeks of the baselineinterview; the control group were offered the program at the end of the trial. Both theprogram and control groups completed surveys by telephone at 3 time-points: baseline (prerandomisation),3 months and 12 months. Outcomes include crash involvement (police andself-reported), near misses, offences, riding exposure, attitudes and behaviours. Differencesin outcomes were compared using various regression analyses, in intention-to-treat analyses.ResultsOf 2399 consenting participants, 81% were male, the average age was 35 years, and averagereported riding was 163.9 km, or 4.1 hours, per week. Sports bikes were the most commonlyreported (39%) followed by standard bikes (25%), and cruisers (21%). Approximately 60%of those allocated to the program group completed the coached ride; the response rate forsurveys was 88.7% at 3 months, and 87.6% at 12 months. Main outcome results will bepresented.ConclusionsThe results of this large scale trial will provide strong evidence for effectiveness ofmotorcycle coaching programs, and will have significant policy implications