The route to safety

Motorcyclists could be helped to ride more safely with new road markings that positively influence their behaviour. The designs are placed on the approach to bends and are known as PRIMEs – Perceptual Rider Information to Maximise Expertise and Enjoyment.

Chevrons on the road aim to encourage bikers to ride in a particular road position and reduce the amount of braking.

The system was tested at six trial sites in the Scottish Highlands and 4,652 motorcyclists were observed. Data showed significant reductions in speed at five of the sites as well as significant road position changes at five out of the six trial locations,

The trial used sites where engineering works had made sure the roads were in the best condition in order to support the study. Further investigations will now look at sites which haven’t undergone this work and represent “regular roads”. The research by independent road safety consultant Alex Stedmon was presented at Ergonomics & Human Factors 2025 and won the award for the best paper at the conference.

The paper said: “These findings contribute to the science base for PRIME and provide confidence for installing PRIME road markings on regular roads without the need for expensive engineering works.”

You can read a longer version of the award-winning paper in the latest issue of The Ergonomist, the magazine for members of the CIEHF.