The wife of a motorcyclist killed in a road traffic collision in 2024 has shared her family’s story as part of Police Scotland’s National Motorcycle Safety Campaign 2026.
56-year-old father and grandfather Ian Sloan died when his motorcycle collided with a car on the A719 Waterside to A77 Ayr Road around 3.10pm on Saturday, 15 June, 2024.
His wife, Shirley Sloan, is sharing her family’s story to raise awareness of the importance of road safety and encouraging all road users to remember to take care on Scotland’s roads.
The campaign follows the publication of a joint study published last year with Transport Scotland examining motorcycle fatalities between January 2015 and August 2024.
The study found that 269 people – including 253 riders and 16 passengers – were killed during that period. Despite accounting for less than 1% of traffic, motorcyclists represented 18% of all road fatalities in Scotland.
Shirley Sloan, wife of Ian Sloan, said: “Ian had bikes for all the time that I knew him, it was his love. Any time he was stressed or just not feeling great, he would go out on his bike.
“Hearing the words ‘I’m sorry but your husband was killed in a motorcycle accident’ was dreadful. Losing a loved one, in the manner that we lost Ian, it was so traumatic. You don’t have time to say goodbye, you don’t have time to put plans in place.
“One minute you’re a family of four, making plans for the future, and just in the blink of an eye, the heart of your family is gone.
“It’s left myself and my son and daughter with terrible anxieties as well. It’s like we are waiting for something bad to happen again.”
Inspector Hugh Niccolls, Head of Police Scotland’s Motorcycle Unit, said: “On behalf of Police Scotland, I’d like to thank Shirley Sloan and the Sloan family for taking the time and courage to share their story.
“Shirley’s story is a powerful reminder of the devasting and lasting impact that road collisions can have, not only on those directly involved, but also on the families, friends, and communities affected.
“We know our roads are busier with motorcyclists during the summer months, and so we continue to remind all road users to be mindful of one another.
“As Shirley mentions, road safety is a shared responsibility. Whether you’re riding a motorcycle, driving a car, are cycling or walking, we all have a role to play in keeping each other safe on Scotland’s roads.”
Shirley continues: “My message to all road users, whether you’re on a bike or a car, is ride to the road conditions. Don’t take chances, don’t cut corners and just take another look.
“That extra second to take a second look, even a third look, could make the difference to someone’s life.
“If someone has a collision in a car, there’s a fair chance they’re walking away. But that’s not the same for a biker.”
For more information and guidance on road safety, you can visit Road Safety Scotland at https://roadsafety.scot/.
