KILDARE: Local biker community group given road safety award

Shed 4 Bikers, based in Kildangan Co. Kildare have been awarded a Leading Light in Road Safety Award in the ‘Education: Community’ category for 2022.

The award was presented by RSA Chief Executive Sam Waide at the 13th annual ‘Leading Lights in Road Safety’ awards ceremony at Croke Park, which took place on December 13.

Shed 4 Bikers is a community group set up in 2017 by Derek Gannon, for people to come and learn and contribute to motorcycle safety. Derek works tirelessly with a team of 5 volunteers to promote safe biking. With road incidents rising in the biking community, Shed 4 Bikers is a vital place for bikers to meet and learn from each others experiences. Derek organises free courses on basic motorcycle maintenance, first aid training and informational seminars with RSA approved instructors to help riders understand hazards and how to prepare and adjust to different circumstances on the roads in the hope of saving lives.

Speaking about this entry, judges said: “Shed4Bikers demonstrated great dedication to road safety and the courses provided have clear potential to save lives. Really liked the ‘If it fits, it’s yours’ approach to providing pre-loved motorcycle safety gear to members and their support for front-line workers. Would like to see this replicated in other areas of Ireland.”

Others awarded at the Leading Lights in Road Safety awards ceremony included Phil Skelton, from Wexford. Phil was presented with this year’s ‘Gertie Shields Supreme Award’ by Minister of State at the Department of Transport Hildegarde Naughton and Chairperson of the RSA Liz O’Donnell.  His “Arrive Alive at 1.5” campaign, was founded in 2013 following his own near miss of a close passing car. Phil has since advocated for greater driver education around a minimum passing distance for vehicles overtaking cyclists and as a result, official rules of the road were updated to reflect a minimum passing distance of at least 1.5 metres for drivers travelling in speed zones over 50km/h, and at least 1metre in speed zones under 50km/h.

Liz O’Donnell, Chairperson of the RSA said: “Each year, these awards allow us to recognise those who are doing their utmost to keep our local communities safe and educate others on the importance of road safety. I would like to thank all those who nominated individuals, community groups or businesses in this year’s awards, and especially this year’s winners, for their incredible and inspiring work and efforts to make our roads, and in turn, our communities, a safer place for everyone.”

A total of 18 awards were presented by the RSA to individuals and organisations in recognition of their commitment and dedication to road safety at a ceremony in Croke Park. The MC on the day was television presenter Bláthnaid Treacy, who is no stranger to road safety having worked with the RSA on the ‘Now You See Me’ series on RTÉ. Bláthnaid led the day’s proceedings and awards were presented in the following categories: Education (Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary, Third Level, Community), Business, Emergency Services, Gay Byrne Media Award, Road Safety Champion, Public Sector, Future, CPC Trainer of the Year, Approved Driving Instructor, Sustainable Travel. The RSA also presented three ‘Special Recognition’ Awards to people and organisations who have demonstrated a commitment to road safety in their communities.

This year the RSA received over 80 award nominations from all over Ireland for individuals, schools, businesses, community groups, colleges and organisations which were reviewed by an independent judging panel.