Bike Safe being launched at Leek Wootton with Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe has given his backing to a new series of workshops, where motorcycle riders will have the opportunity to spend a day with police motorcyclists and experience a professional police-observed ride with them.
BikeSafe is a national police run motorcycle initiative which aims to improve riding and reduce the risk of motorcyclists being involved in a collision, as well as raising awareness of the importance of progressing on to accredited post-test training. Workshops cost £50 and cover areas including: rider attitude, collision causation, cornering, positioning, overtaking, observation, braking, hazard perception and use of gears.
The workshops organised by Warwickshire Police will be offered from the end of May onwards.
Sergeant Shaun Bridle of Warwickshire Police says: “We’re very pleased to offer BikeSafe across Warwickshire and look forward to working with bikers to ultimately reduce risk and reduce casualties on the roads. It’s an unfortunate reality that motorcyclists continue to be over-represented in collision figures, and injured or killed as a result of these collisions. Currently within Warwickshire, 40% of our fatal collision investigations involve a motorcyclist and we’re keen to do all we can to bring these figures down.”
BikeSafe starts in Warwickshire on Sunday 26th May and workshops will take place every three weeks up until October at Leek Wootton. Spaces are limited, so anyone interested is encouraged to book a place ASAP to avoid disappointment. To book, visit www.bikesafe.co.uk and search for Warwickshire Police.
BikeSafe is just the latest initiative in Warwickshire which aims to improve the safety of motorcyclists on the roads. Biker Down is a free classroom-based course which offers practical advice and training on what to do should they find themselves first at the scene of a collision where a motorcyclist is injured. Courses are delivered by Warwickshire Fire Service and riders can obtain more information or register their interest by emailing bikerdown@warwickshire.gov.uk
Mr Seccombe has welcomed the introduction of the BikeSafe scheme to the county and is encouraging all riders to take up the opportunity to hone their skills.
He said: “Sadly, statistics show that motorcycle riders are disproportionately likely to be killed or seriously injured in a collision on our roads, so I am pleased that BikeSafe is now available here in Warwickshire to help equip riders with the skills and experience they need to ride safely and reduce their vulnerability. It’s a great scheme and I would encourage all bikers to sign up for a course and then go on to take further training in the future.
“Reducing the numbers of casualties on our roads is one of my main priorities for the year ahead. I hope that BikeSafe, together with other schemes I will be funding across a broad range of road users, will help to encourage people to modify their behaviour and reduce risk-taking, so that our roads can provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all.”
