Introducing MasterBiker
Delivery bike crashes are a common sight in South Africa. In the current climate of COVID-19, delivery bike riders have become even more populous as they deliver everything from food to medication to people’s homes. Now, the question is how do we stop delivery bike crashes from becoming even more common?
The managing director of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says the ease of obtaining a licence poses a challenge. “All that stands between a delivery bike rider and a job is a written test. Yet, the consequent growth of delivery bike riders creates additional challenges for road users. Not only because many motorists are ill-equipped and/or sufficiently unaware of these modes of transport, the skills of the riders leave much to be desired.
“With only a licence and limited experience, it creates a situation fraught with danger. Additionally, riders recklessly weaving through traffic, wearing only basic safe riding gear, incorrect helmet sizes and sometimes not even properly securing the helmet is not uncommon.”
While some companies may require more experience, the majority of riders likely miss the mark. “It can be an expensive mark too as, anecdotally, up to 80% of crashes result in bike write-offs without counting the large amount of injuries or deaths that often result. Additionally, certain companies’ health and safety policies require further and ongoing training of their riders.”
It is this need to change the current state of a safety on the roads, particularly with delivery bike riders, that motivated MasterDrive to develop their training program. “MasterBiker is a specialised motorbike program that provides advanced rider training. Through a theoretical audio-visual component and practical, hands-on training riders learn to avoid life-threatening mistakes.
“It uses defensive riding to teach skid control, collision avoidance, braking techniques and controlling a motorcycle with added weight. Riders will also better understand safety gear and its role in protecting a rider in a crash. Delivering goods on a motorcycle has very demanding requirements which riders come to fully comprehend and appreciate.”
The MasterBiker program is a one-of-a-kind program in Africa. "It works on the same principle that the rollover-prevention training of cars and trucks is based. Using a specially designed, purpose-built equipment to allow safe training on the correct use of braking technology. Essentially riders learn about ‘the crash without the bash.’
“Riders realise how changing riding techniques can reduce your chance of becoming the next statistic, whereas brands recognise that they have a responsibility, as good and caring corporate citizens, to protect all road users, especially those acting on their behalf. Those that understand this will benefit the most from the new MasterBiker training program,” says Herbert.
The training takes place at MasterDrive’s training facility at Northgate and will roll out to its other training centres soon.
