Wife shares road safety story after husband's motorcycle death in Ayr
Widow urges caution following tragic accident near A719 in 2024
Following the tragic death of her husband Ian Sloan in a motorcycle accident in 2024, Shirley Sloan has shared her story as part of Police Scotland’s National Motorcycle Safety Campaign 2026.
Ian Sloan, a 56-year-old father and grandfather, died when his motorcycle collided with a car on the A719 Waterside to A77 Ayr Road at around 3.10pm on 15th June 2024.
Shirley is determined to raise awareness about the importance of road safety and encourage all road users to exercise caution on Scotland’s roads.
The campaign is part of a broader effort to tackle road safety concerns highlighted in a joint study by Police Scotland and Transport Scotland.
Study of Motorcycle Fatalities
The study, published last year, examined motorcycle fatalities between January 2015 and August 2024.
The findings revealed that 269 people were killed during this period, including 253 riders and 16 passengers.
Despite comprising less than 1% of road traffic, motorcyclists accounted for 18% of all road fatalities in Scotland.
Impact and Message from Shirley Sloan
Shirley Sloan, reflecting on the loss of her husband, 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.”
Police Scotland's Campaign
Inspector Hugh Niccolls, Head of Police Scotland's Motorcycle Unit, expressed gratitude to the Sloan family for sharing their story.
“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," he said.
“Shirley’s story is a powerful reminder of the devastating 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's message to road users is clear: “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.”