10 Moto Marshals took part in the course on Saturday 23rd March, 2024 in the NW200 Paddock, Portrush which consisted of an initial motorbike handling session that tested Moto marshals skills at manoeuvring at low speeds to simulate the need to manage traffic and hazards that may be encountered during a race/event.
This was a pass/fail element assessed by qualified motorcycle assessors.
The classroom session covered the law and regulations for Moto Marshals and how they interact with Accredited Road Marshals to close down junctions and provide a safe and secure environment for cyclists to ride into.
They also learnt how to check a route allocated for a race and assess the need for marshals, ensure it’s safe and identify how many Moto marshals are needed for the event, also known as a Recce.
The Moto Marshals were taught a system that is used nationally by the emergency services and VIP escort teams to advise and inform traffic of the presence of an event called the ‘Caterpillar System’.
They are then taken out onto the public road where they got the opportunity to practice the skills learned in the classroom before being assessed by a qualified motorbike instructor.
The benefit of every marshal having the same skills and understanding of a system means that even if they have never met before, when they set off to assist in marshalling a race they all know what to do and more importantly what the other marshals are doing. This means they are working as a team to deliver a recognised safe and effective system, rather than individuals doing what they think is right, not knowing what the other riders are doing or may do in front of them and therefore reduces the risk of incidents or accidents.
The idea behind the training is to provide Moto marshals with a safe system of work that allows them to deliver a safe environment for the cyclists to ride into that is delivered in a lawful manner and greatly reduces the risk to other Moto marshals, the public and the cyclists.
Once successful (and all on Saturday were successful) they receive a LANTRA Certificate and an ID Card that allows other Moto marshals and event organisers to recognise they are using marshals that have the skills to assist in a safe and effective system.
The more Moto marshals we can train the safer events will become because all Moto marshals will be able to work in a recognised system and each will know what the other is doing and importantly why they are doing it.
Thanks to Cycling Ulster for funding the course which was run by Stephen Burns with support from Michael Rea, John Jameison and Christy O’Neill.
Thanks to Gary Lavery for capturing these shots.
