Free “Biker Down” training for motorcyclists
News from our partners Safer Roads Partnership for West Mercia and Warwickshire
Motorcyclists across West Mercia and Warwickshire are now able to take advantage of a free three-hour “Biker Down’ course offering potentially life-saving skills, after the course was launched last week at Kidderminster Fire Station.
Reducing motorcycle-related collisions and casualties continues to be a priority across West Mercia and Warwickshire. Although motorcyclists and moped riders make up only 2% of traffic, they are involved in around 30% of all collisions where somebody is killed or seriously injured.
The Biker Down course is being delivered in partnership by a number of organisations who all have a vested interest in reducing motorcycle-related casualties and reducing the severity of injuries sustained, including: the Safer Roads Partnership, West Mercia Police, Warwickshire Police, Hereford and Worcester Fire & Rescue Service, Midlands Air Ambulance and the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).
Designed for motorcyclists of all ages and abilities, Biker Down is a free three-hour course which offers bikers the chance to learn practical skills to help avoid being involved in a collision, as well as essential first-aid training and advice on what to do should they find themselves first at the scene of a collision where a motorcyclist is injured. The course is made up of three modules: collision scene management, basic first aid and casualty care (including CPR and helmet removal), and ‘the science of being seen’ – advice on visibility and positioning.
Anna Higgins, Communications Manager at the Safer Roads Partnership, said:
“Although there is already a lot of positive work being carried out locally as well as nationally to try and reduce the number of motorcycle-related collisions and casualties, the unfortunate reality is that collisions do still take place and motorcyclists are heavily over-represented in collision statistics.
“The idea of Biker Down is to offer people the chance to learn essential skills and knowledge to help them cope should they encounter or be involved in a collision, rather than just information about the consequences. We believe this will bring about more of a sense of responsibility when out on the road and hopefully a change in attitude that will keep them safer, both in their riding technique and how they react at the roadside.
“Over the past three years, there have been almost 500 collisions involving motorcyclists across West Mercia and Warwickshire, where someone has been killed or seriously injured. Providing bikers with some basic information about how best to manage a collision scene and how to provide basic first aid to a casualty before the emergency services arrive could help to preserve life and reduce the severity of injuries sustained.”
Bob Sproat, Station Commander at Kidderminster Fire Station, said:
“As a service we are constantly seeking to work with partner agencies to improve safety within our communities and Biker Down is a great initiative for all. We were delighted to host the very first course in the region and are looking forward to rolling out further courses in the future.”
Biker Down is a national course which originated in Kent. Already adopted by numerous other areas across the UK including Gloucestershire, Dyfed Powys and the West Midlands, the launch event in Kidderminster was the first for West Mercia and Warwickshire. Future courses are currently being arranged across Shropshire, Herefordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire and dates / venues will be promoted accordingly. Anyone interested in attending a Biker Down course in this area should register their interest by emailing info@srpwestmercia.org.uk or by following @ThinkSaferRoads on Twitter where details will be advertised.
Anna Higgins added:
“A number of riders from a local IAM motorcycling group, Kidderminster Advanced Bikers, took part in the first course and we received very positive feedback from all. We are looking forward to rolling Biker Down out further across the region to benefit more riders. In the meantime, we would encourage anyone interested in having the training to get in touch.”
The Safer Roads Partnership is part of West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police, and works in partnership with the four local highway authorities in West Mercia (Shropshire Council, Herefordshire Council, Telford & Wrekin Council and Worcestershire County Council); Warwickshire County Council, the Highways Agency; HM Courts Service – West Mercia; Fire & Rescue Services for Hereford & Worcester, Shropshire and Warwickshire; and West Mercia Cluster of Primary Care Trusts.
