Campaign to cut motorbike deaths (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Campaign to cut motorbike deaths

Ref. 29152-12A FREE scheme which aims to reduce motorcycle deaths on Wiltshire's roads by honing riders' skills will begin in April.

Called Bike Safe, the scheme is run by Wiltshire Police, Swindon Council and Wiltshire County Council.

Last year between January and September, nine motorcyclists were killed, 76 were seriously injured and further 155 were slightly injured on Wiltshire's roads.

Nationally, even though they only make up around one per cent of road traffic, they are involved in up to 19 per cent of all road accidents.

In charge of the scheme is avid motorcyclist and North Wiltshire road safety officer Colin Reeves.

He said that the cost of dealing with a fatal accident is high, not only emotionally but also financially, with police time, ambulance and hospital time and the individual's loss of earnings.

He said: "For every fatal casualty motorcyclist killed on the road, it costs more than £1m to the community.

"I feel these figures for motorcycle deaths are far too high. If we can improve standards of riding those numbers can be lowered."

The scheme has been running since 2000 and more than 500 riders have been on the courses.

This year eight dates starting in April and ending in mid-October have been set up to cater for riders. Each Bike Safe course is run on a Sunday.

The day begins at 9.15am in the classroom where riders are taken through advanced aspects of bike manoeuvring including braking, cornering and other essential skills required for safe biking.

Later in the day riders are taken out in groups of one or two with advanced police riders who de-brief the riders on any mistakes, or give tips they might need to improve their own safety.

As a result of the course several riders have gone on to become motorcycle instructors.

Mr Reeves said: "The sessions are very informal and relaxed, but we are serious in our efforts to keep casualties down.

"We want them to come forward and talk about their problems on the roads.

"If they want to go on to do other training we can point them in the right direction."

Paul Zimmerman, of Wimborne, Dorset, who attended a Wiltshire Bike Safe course in 2000, said it was of great value.

His course involved both classroom work and a ride flanked by police officers, and he wrote an article in tribute to the course, which said: "If one rider only learned one thing, and I'm sure we all learned more than that, it must increase the odds in our favour on the roads, and that has to be a good thing.

"You learn skills that might just keep you alive one day. That's got to be the bargain of the century."

Motorcyclists must have a valid motorcycle licence and the course is designed for people with motorcycles of 125cc or more.

People who wish to sign up to the course must book a place by calling Colin Reeves on 07770 695792 or e-mail him at colinreeves@wiltshire.gov.uk

Bike Safe Dates 2004: Sunday, April 25; Sunday, May 16; Sunday, June 13; Sunday, July 11; Sunday, August 1; Sunday, September 5; Sunday, September 26 and Sunday, October 17.