A pioneering new road safety initiative that is designed to make motorcycling safer has been introduced in North and Mid Wales.

PRIMEs (Perceptual Rider Information for Maximising Expertise and Enjoyment) are innovative road markings and signage that aim to help motorcyclists make safer decisions when approaching and negotiating bends in roads.

Following a highly successful trial in Scotland — where over 32,000 motorcyclist journeys were analysed across 22 sites — the Welsh Government, in partnership with the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent (NMWTRA), has rolled out PRIME markings at four key sites in North and Mid Wales. These are:

• A487 Pantperthog, Gwynedd
• A5 Coed Bwlch, Rhysgog, Llangollen.
• A483 North of Llanbadarn Fynydd
• A483 Glascoed Hall, South of Newtown.

Evidence shows that PRIMEs, which use subtle and well-placed visual cues, have a measurable and positive impact on rider behaviour, including:

• Significant reductions in speed
• Improved road positioning on approach and at the apex of bends
• Safer braking behaviour

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates said: “We are delighted to be trialling this new road safety initiative for the first time in Wales.” “Evidence shows that motorcyclists are amongst the most vulnerable road users, especially on roads with sharp bends. PRIME is an effective way to help reduce risks and support riders to make safer choices on the road, so it was right thing to do.”

The initiative is strongly supported by North Wales Police and Dyfed Powys Police who have long worked to reduce motorcycle collisions across their force area.

Inspector of Specialist Operations at Dyfed-Powys Police, Dawn Fencott-Price said: “We welcome the trial of this innovative initiative to improve motorcyclist safety on our roads. During 2024 there were twenty-five collisions resulting in one or more people killed – an increase of 66% on 2023.
“This is a low-cost intervention which has been proven to significantly improve road safety for riders when used in the right road conditions. One death on our roads is one too many – and reducing the number of motorcyclists who are killed or seriously injured on our roads is our priority.”

This first Welsh trial marks a major milestone in adopting data-driven, cost-effective safety improvements for vulnerable road users. If successful, PRIME markings could be expanded across the wider Welsh road network.

Paul Morgan CBE, BMF’s Government Liaison Executive said: Project Prime is an innovative road safety initiative that uses road markings to help motorcyclists better navigate bends. The road markings consist of a series of “gateway” chevrons placed at the approach to a bend, which are designed to encourage riders to adopt the best road position and speed before entering the bend. Previous trials in Scotland have shown showed significant improvements in riders being able to navigate sharp bends safely through better road positioning, correct speed selection and the use of appropriate braking. This is an excellent safety initiative, supported by the BMF, which will be of benefit to all motorcyclists, from the beginner to the more experienced.”

Contact Information
Sian Reynolds
Senior Press Officer
Welsh Government Press Office
0300 0253 031
Sian.reynolds@gov.wales

Menter arloesol wedi cychwyn i wneud beicio modur yn fwy diogel

Mae menter newydd arloesol ar gyfer diogelwch ar y ffyrdd sydd wedi’i chynllunio i wneud beicio modur yn fwy diogel wedi’i chyflwyno yng Ngogledd a Chanolbarth Cymru.

Mae marciau ac arwyddion ffyrdd arloesol PRIME (sef “Perceptual Rider Information for Maximising Expertise and Enjoyment”) yn anelu at helpu beicwyr modur i wneud penderfyniadau mwy diogel wrth agosáu at droadau mewn ffyrdd ac ymdrin â’r troadau hynny.

Yn dilyn cynllun treialu hynod lwyddiannus yn yr Alban — lle dadansoddwyd dros 32,000 o deithiau beicwyr modur ar draws 22 o safleoedd — mae Llywodraeth Cymru, mewn partneriaeth ag Asiant Cefnffyrdd Gogledd a Chanolbarth Cymru (NMWTRA), wedi cyflwyno marciau PRIME mewn pedwar safle allweddol yn y Gogledd a’r Canolbarth, sef:

• A487 Pantperthog, Gwynedd
• A5 Coed Bwlch, Rhysgog, Llangollen
• A483 i’r gogledd o Lanbadarn Fynydd
• A483 Neuadd Glascoed, i’r de o’r Drenewydd.

Mae tystiolaeth yn dangos bod PRIMEs, sy’n defnyddio arwyddion gweledol cynnil sydd wedi’u gosod mewn lleoliadau da, yn cael effaith fesuradwy a chadarnhaol ar ymddygiad beicwyr, gan gynnwys:

• Gostyngiadau sylweddol mewn cyflymder
• Lleoliad gwell ar y ffyrdd wrth agosáu at droadau ac ar bigyn troadau
• Ymddygiad brecio mwy diogel

Dywedodd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Drafnidiaeth a Gogledd Cymru, Ken Skates:
“Rydym yn falch iawn o fod yn treialu’r fenter diogelwch ffyrdd newydd hon am y tro cyntaf yng Nghymru.
“Mae tystiolaeth yn dangos bod beicwyr modur ymhlith y defnyddwyr ffyrdd mwyaf agored i niwed, yn enwedig ar ffyrdd gyda throadau sydyn. Mae PRIME yn ffordd effeithiol o helpu i leihau risgiau a chefnogi beicwyr i wneud dewisiadau mwy diogel ar y ffyrdd, felly roedd yn beth iawn i’w wneud.”

Mae’r fenter yn cael cefnogaeth gref gan Heddlu Gogledd Cymru a Heddlu Dyfed Powys sydd wedi gweithio ers amser maith i leihau gwrthdrawiadau beiciau modur ar draws eu hardaloedd.

Dywedodd yr Arolygydd Gweithrediadau Arbenigol yn Heddlu Dyfed-Powys, Dawn Fencott-Price:
“Rydym yn croesawu’r cynllun treialu ar gyfer y fenter arloesol hon i wella diogelwch beicwyr modur ar ein ffyrdd. Bu 25 o wrthdrawiadau yn ystod 2024, gan arwain at un neu fwy o bobl wedi’u lladd – cynnydd o 66% ar 2023.
“Mae hon yn ymyrraeth cost isel sydd wedi cael ei phrofi i wella diogelwch ffyrdd i feicwyr yn sylweddol pan gaiff ei defnyddio yn yr amodau ffyrdd cywir. Mae un farwolaeth ar ein ffyrdd yn un yn ormod – a lleihau nifer y beicwyr modur sy’n cael eu lladd neu eu hanafu’n ddifrifol ar ein ffyrdd yw ein blaenoriaeth.”

Mae’r cynllun treialu cyntaf hwn yng Nghymru yn garreg filltir bwysig wrth fabwysiadu gwelliannau diogelwch cost-effeithiol i ddefnyddwyr ffyrdd sy’n agored i niwed. Os bydd y cynllun yn llwyddiannus, gallai marciau PRIME gael eu hehangu ar draws rhwydwaith ffyrdd ehangach Cymru.

Manylion Cyswllt
Sian Reynolds
Senior Press Officer
Welsh Government Press Office
0300 0253 031
Sian.reynolds@gov.wales

Top image courtesy of Gov Wales