Biker Down is a post-collision response intervention, which aims to equip motorcyclists to competently manage the scene of a collision involving a fellow motorcyclist, and to increase their own conspicuity whilst riding. It has been deployed in many parts of the country since 2011, when it was first developed and delivered by Kent Fire and Rescue Service. Despite gaining a national profile as an educational measure to support safe motorcycle use and associated post-collision competencies, evaluations into its effectiveness have been limited.

As part of their ongoing commitment to motorcycle safety in the South West, an evaluation of Biker Down (undertaken by Agilysis) was commissioned by the Vision Zero South West Partnership to understand the efficacy of Biker Down for motorcyclists in Devon and Cornwall. The courses evaluated were delivered respectively by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and Cornwall Council / Fire and Rescue Service between April 2023 and March 2025. This project provided a critical opportunity to define broader intervention and evaluation design parameters.

The evaluation uses a pre-versus post design to assess levels of knowledge, confidence, and intention to apply learnings in ‘on-road’ scenarios where motorcyclists come across other riders who are injured in collisions, and for themselves whilst out riding more broadly. Specifically, the scheme is centered around scene management, administering first aid, and improving self-visibility. The results inform the evidence base on motorcycle safety interventions and future delivery of schemes for this road user group.

Samuel Scott MCIHT, Senior Consultant, Agilysis

Samuel Scott is a Senior Consultant at Agilysis with core interests in research and evaluation, policy and strategy development, as well as Safe System implementation and evidence-based decision making. He has worked with many different organisations to help deliver Agilysis' core services to practitioners and stakeholders in road transport safety both in the UK and internationally.

He is particularly interested in the interaction between policy, behaviour change and the Safe System to inform robust intervention design and evaluation, as well as strategies to deliver safe and healthy communities for all and tackle inequities in safe and sustainable mobility. Samuel has worked on a broad spectrum of projects including regional strategies, enforcement and speed management policies, in addition to independent evidence reviews and behaviour change evaluations.

Samuel has a BA and MA in history, grounded in social research methods as well as synthesising evidence and translating complex information into concise analytical outputs.

Tony Heywood, Road Safety Champion, Motorcycle Intervention, Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service

Tony Heywood joined the Devon Fire Brigade (as was) further back than he cares to remember.

He has had a full, varied and successful operational and management career in the Service before retirement a few years ago.

Prior to retiring and as a lifelong motorcycle rider, he joined the Service motorcycle team as an advocate, delivering preventative road safety interventions, attending motorcycle gatherings and shows.

He has been fortunate to secure a part-time role within the larger Road Safety team and maintains the position of motorcycle lead, a post he feels honoured to hold.

He represents the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) on the National Young Riders Forum (NYRF), a role he enjoys immensely.

He, along with his Paramedic Wing Man (Andy Nickolls), have delivered Biker Down for the past 10 years and maintains his enthusiasm for both the product and indeed the delivery itself.

He welcomed the opportunity to have the local delivery evaluated and thanks Vision Zero South West (VZSW) and Agilysis for the opportunity.  He now looks forward to building on the achievement of Biker Down as it remains firmly embedded within the Fire and Rescue Service preventative product portfolio, under the ownership of Kent Fire and Rescue Service.