Think Bike
News from our partners West Mercia Safer Roads Partnership
The Safer Roads Partnership in West Mercia is today launching their 2013 “Think Bike” campaign – aimed at motorcycle riders – to help reduce casualties and deaths on roads across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Over the past three years* in West Mercia there have been 32 fatalities and 265 serious injuries following collisions involving motorcycles. A quarter (25%) of all those killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions in West Mercia involved a motorcycle.
The campaign is targeting both motorcyclists and car drivers, with the aim of increasing general awareness and offering additional training. Roadside posters are being erected along key motorcycle routes throughout the region, highlighting routes where both motorcyclists and drivers need to take care and be more aware.
As part of the campaign the partnership is also targeting those bikers who haven’t ridden during the winter months, and encouraging them to make a few simple safety checks on their pride and joy before getting back on it for the new motorbike season.
For some riders, their bike may have only been off the road for the worst of the winter but for others it can be close to six months. The partnership is therefore urging all riders to check that their bike is in good working order before getting out on the road again and make a few simple checks on areas such as battery / electrics, tyres, chain, fluids, controls, brakes and chassis.
The Safer Roads Partnership will also be supporting a number of Rider Skills Day alongside local IAM motorcycling groups, where riders will have the opportunity to come along for a free one hour assessed ride-out with a qualified IAM observer. Events are taking place in Bromsgrove on Saturday 13 April, Worcester on Sunday 14 April and Hereford on Sunday 28 April. Full details can be found on the SRP’s website: www.srpwestmercia.org.uk.
The partnership is also helping to organise the Bike4Life Fest with RAF Museum Cosford and The Midlands Air Ambulance on Sunday 21 April. Bikers are invited to join a ride-out which starts at 10am at Meole Brace, Shrewsbury and arrives at Cosford around 12.30pm. The main festival will be open from 10am-4pm and offers arena displays, trade stalls, live music and family fun. For full details visit www.shropshirebikefest.co.uk.
Anna Higgins, Communications Manager for the Safer Roads Partnership in West Mercia, said:
“West Mercia is popular with bikers and attracts many riders to the area, particularly at weekends and when the weather is good. This campaign aims to make motorcyclists and car users more aware of the risks that are present when they are out on the roads and to help us reduce the amount of collisions that take place.
As well as offering riders tips on getting their bikes in good working order for the spring, the Safer Roads Partnership also offers a ‘Take Control’ motorcycle skills enhancement course for bikers who want to brush up on their skills, gain more confidence on their bike or become a better rider in preparation for their full test. The course is subsidised by the partnership and half day courses are £25 and full day courses just £50, which offers great value when compared with the usual cost of motorcycle or moped skills training. The course is delivered by RMT Motorcycle Training and further details can be found at www.rmtnet.co.uk/take-control
*Three year period relates to January 2010 – December 2012.
