THE South African Motorbike Transport Association (Samta) launched a Road Safety Awareness Campaign/Road Show in Atteridgeville, Tshwane on Friday, 5 April.
The campaign is centred on motorbike delivery drivers and aims to highlight the safety and sustainability of the market.
Matlhodi Tshita, managing director of Samta, said they are highlighting road safety for motorbike users in delivery services.
"We're trying alert people and drivers that the road is to be shared and used equally. The right of way is important. It's important to keep left and pass right to avoid the fatalities that are happening right now," she said.
She said Samta is new to the industry and caters mainly for motorbike riders.
"Motorbike riders face a lot of discrimination on the road, especially from motorists who are not willing to share the road. It becomes an undermining factor for them. These riders are licensed and trained. They're entitled to be on the road," she said.
Tshita further called on motorists to respect motorbike riders and said it would be good for them to have their own pavement.
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Transport Education Training Authority (Teta) CEO, Maphefo Anno Frempong, said motorbike accidents and fatalities have been a major cause for concern since January 2023.
She said there have been more than 1 000 motorbike accidents in which 187 bikers were killed. She said it's also reported that in 72% of these accidents, other vehicles were involved.
She said:
She said the main causes of motorbike crashes, according to the Automobile Association (AA), are speeding, right of way violations, loss of control in bends, corners and curves and judgement errors.
"A new factor that has been added to the report is the increase in unlicensed and non-trained motorbike riders on the roads, which significantly increases the number of accidents and fatalities for motorbike riders," she said.
Freddy Mahumane, CEO of the delivery service KasiD said: "We are creating employment. We want to bring change to townships."
Motorbike rider Lebo Nkosi said: "We learnt about safety tips when making deliveries. Motorists are not checking their blind spots and play loud music."
Another rider, Jack "Tau" Malapela, said: "Don't compromise yourself. Put safety as your priority. A bike is very dangerous when one doesn't respect it. Be observant and be informed."
