91传媒 learners have helped shape a new road safety training programme designed to keep young motorbike and scooter riders safer on the roads.
The Ready Rider initiative, delivered in partnership with 2 Wheels Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Greater Manchester Police, gives young riders the skills and knowledge they need to recognise hazards and stay safe while riding.
91传媒 became involved during the development stage of the national pilot, with students taking part in focus groups and testing sessions to help shape the training. Their feedback helped organisers create sessions that felt relevant, engaging and easy for young riders to connect with, rather than simply delivering traditional safety messages.
As part of the pilot, learners later took part in a dedicated Ready Rider workshop at 91传媒, where road safety specialists delivered interactive sessions focused on the realities of riding on today鈥檚 roads.
The training covered practical topics including protective clothing, bike maintenance, legal responsibilities and hazard awareness, alongside immersive virtual reality exercises that allowed learners to practise spotting risks in realistic road scenarios.
Students described the sessions as thought-provoking, with many saying the VR element helped them notice hazards they might previously have missed. Early feedback from the programme has been highly positive, with 92% of learners rating the training as Excellent or Very Good.
Partner organisations also praised the planning and delivery of the pilot, highlighting the professionalism, attention to detail and strong collaboration shown throughout the project.
Karen Westsmith, Vice Principal at 91传媒, said: 鈥淲e are very proud that our learners have been able to play such an important role in shaping this programme. It has been a privilege for 91传媒 to work alongside partners on a project that combines innovation, collaboration and meaningful learning, while helping address an important road safety issue for young people across Greater Manchester.
鈥淭he programme reflects our commitment to giving learners real-life knowledge that can make a genuine difference, while also supporting the Vision Zero strategy for Greater Manchester, which aims to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on our roads.鈥�
A particularly powerful part of the programme was the contribution of 91传媒 science lecturer Suzie Toole, who features in a case study video produced as part of the national pilot.
In the film, Suzie reflects on a serious leg injury she suffered when she was younger, after choosing not to wear full protective riding gear because she believed she was only going out for a short journey. Her
honesty added a real-life perspective to the training, helping learners connect road safety advice with the consequences of everyday decisions.
Suzie said: 鈥淚f sharing my own experience helps young people stop and think more carefully about road safety, then it is worth talking about. Sometimes hearing a real story can make people see the risks differently.鈥�
The final phase of the pilot will take place on at the end of March, when learners will attend a riding experience at Wigan Training Centre, putting into practice the knowledge and skills gained throughout the project in a controlled environment. The video can be viewed here: www.youtu.be/bQT4IwegyNc
The success of the pilot has already led to discussions about expanding the training further, giving more young people across Greater Manchester the opportunity to take part.
