Zero Motorcycles’ new SR/F has recently been deployed by West Midlands Police’s Road Harm Prevention Team, as part of a driver education programme aimed at improving motorcycle safety and reducing the number of collisions involving motorcyclists.
The unmarked Zero was ridden by an officer in unbranded riding gear over a two-week period. Footage from a body mounted camera captured car drivers putting motorcyclists in danger, with 84 drivers being stopped and either prosecuted or warned about their driving. One motorcyclist was also found to be riding recklessly during the trail, which saw marked motorcycles intercept offenders identified by the Zero mounted officer.
The Zero was chosen for the initial trial thanks to the environmental benefits of its all-electric platform. With Birmingham planning to introduce a clean air zone in January 2020, the team at the West Midlands Police felt that a fully electric machine was most appropriate for the operation.
PC Paul Ennis from the West Midlands Police’s Road Harm Prevention Team commented :
“I took the bike out every day, and did quite a few miles on it in wet and dry weather. Overall I was really impressed with the machine and range was never an issue, we simply charged it up every night and rode it during the day.
I myself ride into work every day and found myself in situations where drivers had pulled out in front of me. The operation involved riding around the most vulnerable locations for motorcyclists, where the majority of collisions occur, and when endangered by a driver or witnessing a driver committing an offence which could potentially endanger a motorcyclist we would call in a marked motorcyclist to intercept and deal with the offence.
The operation was widely publicised, in order that drivers who don’t actively look out for bikes would start to do so, especially when they also learn that West Midlands Police actively encourages motorcyclists who ride with cameras to send us their footage via our digital reporting portal so we can use it to prosecute also. This ensures a constant, credible threat of prosecution from not only our unmarked motorcyclist but also any motorcyclist. Once drivers are aware of the operation, they remain on the lookout for those on two wheels. They start looking previously where they didn’t and the resulting behaviour change creates a safer environment.”
Lesser offenders were educated by West Midlands Fire Service using a specially designed package which includes a section on how to look properly at vulnerable locations.
Stephen Brown
The Founder of driveEV. A driving and new technology fan enjoying learning all about the future of motoring. I drive a BMW i3.