THE NEED
Recognising this challenge, United Way Mumbai’s Two Wheels One Life initiative focuses on improving two-wheeler road safety awareness and rider behaviour among youth, especially first-time riders.
According to the Global Status Report on Road Safety, road traffic crashes claim more than 1.25 million lives globally each year, with India accounting for a significant proportion of these fatalities.
Two-wheeler riders remain among the most vulnerable road users. Nearly one-third of road crash deaths in India involve motorcycles or scooters, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions.
Young riders are particularly at risk. Limited riding experience, lack of formal training, and insufficient understanding of traffic rules often contribute to unsafe riding behaviour.
While the licensing process focuses on eligibility, systematic rider training and behavioural awareness remain limited, leaving many new riders without the practical skills needed to navigate traffic safely.
Addressing this gap requires early intervention, practical training, and behaviour change programmes that reach riders before they begin commuting regularly.
SOLUTION
Your support can help:
- Expand two-wheeler safety training programmes across colleges
- Deploy mobile riding simulators to reach more youth
- Strengthen youth engagement in road safety awareness
- Promote responsible riding behaviour and accident prevention
Our key interventions include:
- Participants are introduced to responsible motorcycle riding practices, including traffic rules, defensive riding techniques, helmet safety, and risk awareness. By engaging youth early, the programme aims to make safe riding behaviour aspirational and socially responsible.
- The simulator is stationed at select Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in Mumbai, allowing participants to experience simulated riding scenarios in a controlled environment. This enables riders to understand risks such as sudden braking, road obstacles, and traffic conditions without real-world danger. This is particularly valuable for learning license applicants.
- After completing the simulation, participants receive a printed assessment highlighting their riding strengths and skill gaps, helping them reflect on their behaviour and improve their safety awareness.
- These partnerships ensure that training aligns with road safety regulations and enforcement priorities, while expanding the programme’s reach among young riders who are about to begin using two-wheelers regularly.
