Nicosia, Cyprus. Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades said authorities will introduce measures aimed at improving motorcycle safety, citing the disproportionate number of road deaths involving motorcyclists.
Planned interventions and committee review
Speaking after a meeting of the road safety council on Tuesday, Vafeades said the authorities would proceed with targeted interventions, including subsidies for safety equipment, incentives for the withdrawal of older motorcycles and stricter checks on maintenance carried out through private vehicle inspection centres.
He said “the urgent need to upgrade road safety for motorcyclists was vehemently expressed” at the meeting, and added that a specialised committee had been tasked with assessing proposals and preparing recommendations for adoption by the relevant ministries.
Attendees and role of road safety ambassador
The meeting was attended by Justice Minister Costas Fitiris, police representatives, officials from the public works department and motorcycle federation president Adonis Christofides, who is also serving as this year’s road safety ambassador.
Maintenance campaign and inspection concerns
Vafeades said an immediate priority would be a campaign examining motorcycle maintenance standards, warning that poor maintenance can contribute to serious accidents.
He referred to a previous audit campaign involving buses in which authorities identified cases where inspection procedures had not been properly followed.
Fatalities and helmet use
Vafeades said 15 people had died in traffic accidents so far this year, including seven motorcyclists.
Of the seven motorcyclists, four were not wearing helmets, while in two other cases helmets were reportedly found beside the victims at the scene. Vafeades said this was “a huge cause for concern.”
What steps do you think would most effectively improve helmet use and motorcycle maintenance compliance?
