Bolton College lecturer on helping young people in Ready Riders scheme

Bolton College science lecturer Suzie Toole was left with a serious leg injury after going out without full protective riding gear for what she thought would just be a short trip.

She has told her story for a case study video as part of the Ready Riders initiative; a new scheme Bolton College has joined with aiming to bring down deaths and injuries on the road.

Suzie Toole (Image: Suzie Toole)

In the video she speaks about her horrific injuries, which have left her scarred for life and affected her self-confidence.

Ms Toole said: “If sharing my own experience helps young people stop and think more carefully about road safety, then it is worth talking about.

“Sometimes hearing a real story can make people see the risks differently.”

Ms Toole’s honesty has aimed to add a real-life perspective to the training, helping learners connect road safety advice with the consequences of everyday decisions.

The Ready Riders scheme was launched in partnership with Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and 2 Wheels Greater Manchester.

Bolton College’s Ready Rider initiative (Image: Bolton College)

This aims to run workshops delivered by road safety experts to give youngsters the skills they need to drive safely and recognise hazards.

Deane Road based Bolton College became involved during the development stage of the national pilot.

The development stage involved students taking part in focus groups and testing sessions to help shape the training.

Their feedback helped organisers create sessions that felt relevant, engaging and easy for young riders to connect with, rather than just delivering traditional safety messages.

As part of the pilot, learners took part in a dedicated Ready Rider workshop at the college where road safety specialists delivered interactive sessions on the realities of riding on today’s roads.

Warning some may find the images in the video upsetting

The training covered practical topics including protective clothing, bike maintenance, legal responsibilities and hazard awareness.

It also involved immersive virtual reality exercises that allowed learners to practise spotting risks in realistic road scenarios.

Students described the sessions as thought-provoking, with many saying the VR element helped them notice hazards they might previously have missed.

Bolton College’s Ready Rider initiative (Image: Bolton College)

Early feedback from the programme has been highly positive, with 92 per cent of learners rating the training as excellent or very good.

Partner organisations also praised the planning and delivery of the pilot, highlighting the professionalism, attention to detail and strong collaboration shown throughout the project.

Bolton College vice principal Karen Westsmith said: “We are very proud that our learners have been able to play such an important role in shaping this programme.

Bolton College’s Ready Rider initiative (Image: Bolton College)

“It has been a privilege for Bolton College to work alongside partners on a project that combines innovation, collaboration and meaningful learning, while helping address an important road safety issue for young people across Greater Manchester.

“The programme reflects our commitment to giving learners real-life knowledge that can make a genuine difference, while also supporting the Vision Zero strategy for Greater Manchester, which aims to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on our roads.”

Bolton College’s Ready Rider initiative (Image: Bolton College)

The final phase of the pilot will be at the end of March, giving learners the chance to put what they have learned into practical effect at a controlled environment at Wigan Training Centre.

The success of the pilot has already led to discussions about expanding the training further, to give more young people across Greater Manchester the opportunity to take part.