Swansea Council’s road safety team has worked with specialist sign manufacturers to develop a warning system designed specifically for motorbikes. The new roadside signs — thought to be the first of their kind in Wales — use AI cameras and thermal imaging to identify motorcycles from other traffic.
When a rider approaches, the sign displays their speed. If they are over the limit, a ‘SLOW’ warning flashes up.
First trial site in Cwmdu
One of the first locations for the trial is a section of Carmarthen Road in Cwmdu, where two motorcyclists have died since 2012.
Police data shows motorbikes have been involved in almost 15% of vehicle collisions in Swansea over the past three years — above the Welsh average of 12%.
The council hopes the signs will prompt speeding riders to slow down, reducing the risk of serious crashes. If the trial works, up to 20 more hotspots could get the technology.
£333k Welsh Government funding
The £333,000 project is funded through a Welsh Government Road Safety Grant.
Cllr Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said:
“We’ve identified a number of locations where motorcycle riders are most vulnerable when using excessive speed.
We now have an opportunity, using the latest AI technology, to assist riders with more information on the road to remind them of local speed limits and hopefully encourage them to ride responsibly and reduce the risk of an accident.”
Wider road safety work
The council’s road safety team has also worked with South Wales Police to offer free Bike Safe workshops, giving riders extra training to improve safety.
Cllr Stevens said previous traffic‑calming measures and the Bike Safe scheme had already helped reduce vehicle‑related accidents year on year.
That’s great news, however potholes and poor road surfaces need to be sorted urgently.