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Irish Independent
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
‘Dad did nothing wrong' – Daughter of motorcyclist killed in crash backs campaign after 30pc rise in biker road deaths
New data from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) shows that while 10 motorcyclists died from January to April, there were seven who died during the first four months in 2024. While four motorcyclists died from January to April, 2023. Meanwhile, the data points to increasing danger on roads for motorbikes. From 2019 to 2023, 1,556 motorcyclists were hospitalised following road traffic collisions. Alan Rice, from Dublin, was a motorcyclist who died on the road on April 13, 2021. Mr Rice was one of 22 motorcyclists killed on Irish roads that year. His daughter Laura said: "Accidents don't happen, they are caused". Mr Rice died after a car veered onto the wrong side of the road while coming around a bend in Skerries, Co Dublin. 'My dad Alan had met his friend in Bray and they drove up the coastline to Skerries that day. They were riding home when he was in a collision with a man carelessly driving,' she said. 'Dad did nothing wrong and he was driving quite slowly waiting for his friend to catch him up after coming through a roundabout. He had all the right safety gear on, but it wasn't enough to protect him when the man drove his car into him. "My dad was thrown from his motorbike and landed on a grassy verge. His friend did all he could to try to keep him alive, but he died there on the side of the road with the sun sprinkling under the trees. No goodbyes, no hugs, just the deafening silence of him coming home to us in a box.' From the hospital data collected up until 2023, almost a third sustained clinically serious injuries, which have a higher probability of long-term consequences. Sarah O'Connor, director of partnerships and external affairs at the RSA, said: 'We're urging motorcyclists to take every possible precaution, including to ride within speed limits and at a speed appropriate for the road and conditions, as well as anticipating the actions of others. 'We encourage both motorists and motorcyclists to take time to look carefully, assess the road ahead and anticipate potential hazards and other road users — that extra time, that extra look could be the difference between life or death. ADVERTISEMENT 'Drivers need to be aware of motorcyclists, especially at junctions and in areas of high traffic flow. This is of particular importance over the summer months and weekends, when the risk of motorcycle fatalities and injury is heightened.' The RSA said longer evenings and warmer weather signal the start of peak motorcycling season. This is why the group is urging all road users to take precautions. Over 90,000 motorcycling enthusiasts are expected to attend the NorthWest200 in counties Derry and Antrim next week. Roads across the island will see a significant increase in motorcycle activity, the RSA said. Myles O'Brien from Co Mayo said his life changed forever after he was involved in a single vehicle crash on a bend two years ago. 'My crash was as a result of inexperience and a bit of speed,' Mr O'Brien said. 'I came around the first part of an s-corner, changed down gears too much and the back wheel went into a slide. 'In my panic, I pulled the front brake and the accelerator at the same time. I was thrown off and my back hit a rock paralysing me from my breastbone down. My message to fellow motorcyclists would be to slow down, drive within your experience, stay focused and read the road.' A large number of motorcyclists involved in collisions are young men aged between 15 and 34, the RSA said. Almost half of clinically serious injuries occurred in single-vehicle collisions. Data shows most injuries recorded impacted lower limbs (29pc), chest (17pc), and head (15pc). Over one in three motorcyclists sustained multiple clinically serious injuries. And almost 25pc of motorcyclists with clinically serious injuries required transfer to another hospital for continued medical care. Motorcyclists with clinically serious injuries spent on average over two weeks in hospital.
The Journal
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Journal
More motorcyclists have died on Irish roads up to this point in the year than in previous two years
MORE MOTORCYCLISTS HAVE died at this point in the year than in the last two years, as the Road Safety Authority (RSA) launch a new safety appeal. In 2025, 10 motorcyclists so far have lost their lives on Irish roads (1 January – 27 April). That's an increase from seven fatalities during the same period in 2024 and four fatalities during the same period in 2023. The RSA is urging all road users to take 'heightened precautions,' as the longer evenings and warmer weather signal the start of the peak of motorcycling season. Further new RSA research analysed hospital data from 2019 to 2023. The research found that 1,556 motorcyclists were hospitalised following road traffic collisions in that period – 921 of which were recorded as 'seriously injured' by Garda. Lower limbs (29%), chest (17%), and head (15%) were the most affected areas in collisions resulting in injuries. Advertisement Of the serious injuries of motorists in Ireland, 30% of them occurred in County Dublin. The other vehicle involved was most likely a car. Dublin dad Alan Rice was among the 22 motorcyclists killed on Irish roads in 2021. His daughter Laura described the loss of her dad: 'My Dad Alan had met his friend in Bray and they drove up the coastline to Skerries that day. They were riding home when he was in a collision with a man carelessly driving. Dad did nothing wrong and he was driving quite slowly waiting for his friend to catch him up after coming through a roundabout. He had all the right safety gear on, but it wasn't enough to protect him when the man drove his car into him.' 'Alan was thrown from his motorbike and landed on a grassy verge. His friend did all he could to try to keep him alive, but he died there on the side of the road with the sun sprinkling under the trees. No goodbyes, no hugs, just the deafening silence of him coming home to us in a box.' The RSA issued safety guidance for all road users, including wearing protective gear, riding within the speed limit, being vigilant and cautious. The organisation suggests to 'read the road' to ride with current road, weather, traffic conditions and to think like other road users. Further guidance includes to never ride your motorcycle or drive a car after consuming alcohol or drugs and to maintain your vehicle properly. They suggest to regularly check petrol, oil, water, damage, electrics and tyres. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Irish Sun
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Dad died on roadside after careless driver crashed into his motorbike – he'd safety gear on but came home to us in a box
THE daughter of a motorcyclist killed on an Irish road has urged drivers to become more aware of bikers as part of a new safety campaign. Alan Rice was "thrown from his motorbike" and onto a grassy verge Advertisement 2 Laura Rice's father, Alan, was killed in a collision in 2022 Credit: Keith Arkins Media 2 Alan Rice died after he was hit by a car while on his motorcycle Credit: Collect This year has seen a rise in motorcyclist deaths. Already in 2025, 10 motorcyclists have lost their lives on Irish roads. That is an increase from seven fatalities during the same period in 2024 and four in 2023. Dublin dad Alan was among the 22 motorcyclists killed on Irish roads in 2021. Advertisement READ MORE IRISH NEWS His daughter Laura describes the loss of her dad in support of the RSA's She said: 'My Dad Alan had met his friend in Bray and they drove up the coastline to 'Dad did nothing wrong and he was driving quite slowly waiting for his friend to catch him up after coming through a roundabout. 'He had all the right safety gear on, but it wasn't enough to protect him when the man drove his car into him. Advertisement Most read in Irish News 'Alan was thrown from his motorbike and landed on a grassy verge. His friend did all he could to try to keep him alive, but he died there on the side of the road with the sun sprinkling under the trees. Secret Garda spy truck catches 100 drivers for bad behaviour behind wheel on bust Irish roads amid 'real risk' alert 'No goodbyes, no hugs, just the deafening silence of him coming home to us in a box.' New RSA research has revealed that 1,556 motorcyclists were hospitalised following road traffic collisions from 2019 to 2023. Of these, almost a third sustained clinically serious injuries, which have a higher probability of long-term consequences for the casualty after the collision. Advertisement Key findings revealed that a large number of hospitalisations involved young male motorcyclists aged 15–34 and almost half of clinically serious injuries occurred in single-vehicle collisions. CRASH SURVIVOR'S LIFE CHANGED FOREVER Lower limbs, chest, and head were the most affected areas, with over one in three motorcyclists sustaining multiple clinically serious injuries. Myles O'Brien from His life was changed forever in a single vehicle crash on a bend two years ago. Advertisement He said: "My crash was as a result of inexperience and a bit of speed. I came around the first part of an s-corner, changed down gears too much and the back wheel went into a slide. "In my panic, I pulled the front brake and the accelerator at the same time. I was thrown off and my back hit a rock paralysing me from my breastbone down. ROAD SAFETY GUIDANCE ALL road users are being urged to take heightened precautions on the roads, especially as we enter into the busy summer months. Motorcyclists should: Wear full protective gear including a helmet, jacket, trousers, gloves, boots, and high-vis clothing. Ride within the speed limit and according to road and weather conditions. Avoid taking risks—particularly at bends, junctions, and rural roads. Be vigilant. Look into the far, middle and near distance, using your mirrors and checking over your shoulders before changing position or turning. Drivers should: Always look twice for motorcycles, especially before turning, overtaking, at junctions or changing lanes. Be mindful that motorbikes may be hidden in your vehicle's blind spots. Allow motorcyclists extra space—especially in poor weather or on uneven road surfaces. "My message to fellow motorcyclists would be to slow down, drive within your experience, stay focused and read the road." The RSA has urged motorcyclists to take "every possible precaution" and told motorists to be mindful of other road users. Advertisement Sarah O'Connor, Director of Partnerships and External Affairs at the RSA, said: "We are urging motorcyclists to take every possible precaution, including to ride within speed limits and at a speed appropriate for the road and conditions, as well as anticipating the actions of others "We encourage both motorists and motorcyclists to take time to look carefully, assess the road ahead, and anticipate potential hazards and other road users — that extra time, that extra look could be the difference between life or death. 'Drivers need to be aware of motorcyclists, especially at junctions and in areas of high traffic flow. This is of particular importance over the summer months and weekends, when the risk of motorcycle fatalities and injury is heightened."
