The Government has been urged to immediately move to bring in compulsory training for motorcyclists in a bid to cut the disproportionate number of deaths and injuries among Irish bikers.
Motorcyclists are six times more likely than anyone else to be killed on the State's roads and Ireland has the highest rate of motorcyclist deaths in Europe, the National Safety Council said.
NSC chairman Eddie Shaw
Bikers account for 12 per cent of all road deaths, even though motorbikes represent less than 2 per cent of all licensed vehicles.
The NSC urged the Government to introduce a "life-saving" measure promised in its own road safety strategy eight years ago, whereby motorcyclists would be required to have formal rider training before being allowed on public roads.
The body was publicising a new Bike Safelycampaign, which includes a television ad supported by the Irish Insurance Federation.
"It is aimed at getting motorcyclists, who are vulnerable road users, to recognise the responsibilities they have to themselves and others," an NSC statement said.
"The ad portrays the consequences of riding a motorcycle at speed on the open road with tragic consequences for the rider and his family. The message behind the advert is simple: 'It's not just you who crashes' - the way you bike affects not just you but the lives of those close to you."
Almost seven out of ten motorcyclists are killed on open roads outside built-up areas where it is more likely that high-speed and powerful bikes are major contributory factors.
NSC chairman Eddie Shaw said: "Between 1996 and 2003 almost 2,000 motorcycle users have been killed or seriously injured. This equates to a motorcycle fatality rate in Ireland of 1.5 per 1,000 licensed motorcycles, the highest in Europe.
"In addition to the human cost figures supplied by the National Roads Authority estimate that the economic cost, of fatal and injury motorcycle crashes from 1996 to 2003 was over €1 billion."
Mr Shaw said the best way for motorcyclists to address their vulnerability was to get professional training.
"We know that as many as seven out of ten bikers have never received basic riding lessons. The need for initial practical training before being permitted to drive on a public road was identified in the Government's first strategy for road safety in 1998. Eight years later we are still waiting for this life saving initiative to be introduced while an average of 20 bikers continue to be killed or injured each week."
Assistant Garda Commissioner Eddie Rock said gardaí every day witness the "carnage" on the roads, and then have to inform the families left behind of the tragedy.
"These deaths are unnecessary. But they are for the most part avoidable. If you fall off a motorcycle, you will be at the very least injured, the greater the speed the more serious the injury and even death. Motorcyclists must drive within their capabilities of control and reduce their speed. Their lives will depend on it."