Police to run series of courses for motor-cyclists
Tuesday, 8th February 2011.
Suffolk Police are giving motorcyclists across the county an opportunity to improve their skills and become better and safer riders by attending a motorcycle course.
In conjunction with Suffolk County Council, the police are running a series of ‘Bikesafe’ motorcycle workshops in a bid to decrease the number of motorcyclists being killed or seriously injured in the county.
Bikesafe is a nationally recognised police-run biking initiative focusing on education, and aims to improve rider awareness and rider ability. In 2008 it won the prestigious Motorcycle Industry-sponsored Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for achievement and innovation.
In 2010, 20 people were killed on Suffolk’s roads, four of whom were motorcyclists (20 per cent). In 2009 this figure was over a quarter at 26 per cent.
Last year Suffolk Police ran six workshops, with over 100 people attending. Experience ranged from novice riders to a former British Superbike Rider.
This year’s series of workshops start on Friday, March 18, at the onset of spring when many motorcyclists will be considering taking their bikes out for the first time this year. The sessions cover a Friday evening from 7pm and a 9am start on the Saturday.
PC Kevin Stark, from the roads policing unit, said: “Last year’s workshops were very successful, with 100 per cent of those who attended saying they would recommend it.
"We also saw a reduction in the amount of motorcyclists who died on Suffolk’s roads. However, I would still appeal to all motorcyclists to take part in one of these workshops and help us make you an even better and safer rider.
"No matter how experienced or careful you are, advanced rider training will improve the way in which you ride and increase your chances of riding safely, thus avoiding a crash or collision.”
The workshop includes classroom sessions covering topics such as positioning and cornering, plus an escorted ride-out session with a police motorcyclist who will offer an accurate and personalised assessment of the rider’s performance.
Furthermore, the Saturday afternoon session will include a first aid session, focusing on injuries that could be sustained from coming off a motorcycle.
Ch Insp Ady Dawson said: “This is an excellent opportunity to improve your riding skills. Hopefully through education rather than enforcement we can work with the motorcycling community to bring down the number of deaths on our roads.”
The workshops are held at Police Headquarters at Martlesham Heath, Ipswich, and are on the following dates in 2011: March 18-19, April 8-9, May 27-28, June 10-11, July 15-16, August 19-20, September 23-24.
Bikesafe is suitable for all qualified riders regardless of biking experience. The course is aimed at those wishing to add to the skills they have already acquired and improve their level of riding and general road craft.
The workshops cost £55 per person. For further information on Bikesafe workshops, call Hayley Batterham or Pc Kevin Stark on 01473 613730 or email bikesafe@suffolk.pnn.police.uk. Alternatively details about the course can be found at www.suffolk.police.uk
In conjunction with Suffolk County Council, the police are running a series of ‘Bikesafe’ motorcycle workshops in a bid to decrease the number of motorcyclists being killed or seriously injured in the county.
Bikesafe is a nationally recognised police-run biking initiative focusing on education, and aims to improve rider awareness and rider ability. In 2008 it won the prestigious Motorcycle Industry-sponsored Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for achievement and innovation.
In 2010, 20 people were killed on Suffolk’s roads, four of whom were motorcyclists (20 per cent). In 2009 this figure was over a quarter at 26 per cent.
Last year Suffolk Police ran six workshops, with over 100 people attending. Experience ranged from novice riders to a former British Superbike Rider.
This year’s series of workshops start on Friday, March 18, at the onset of spring when many motorcyclists will be considering taking their bikes out for the first time this year. The sessions cover a Friday evening from 7pm and a 9am start on the Saturday.
PC Kevin Stark, from the roads policing unit, said: “Last year’s workshops were very successful, with 100 per cent of those who attended saying they would recommend it.
"We also saw a reduction in the amount of motorcyclists who died on Suffolk’s roads. However, I would still appeal to all motorcyclists to take part in one of these workshops and help us make you an even better and safer rider.
"No matter how experienced or careful you are, advanced rider training will improve the way in which you ride and increase your chances of riding safely, thus avoiding a crash or collision.”
The workshop includes classroom sessions covering topics such as positioning and cornering, plus an escorted ride-out session with a police motorcyclist who will offer an accurate and personalised assessment of the rider’s performance.
Furthermore, the Saturday afternoon session will include a first aid session, focusing on injuries that could be sustained from coming off a motorcycle.
Ch Insp Ady Dawson said: “This is an excellent opportunity to improve your riding skills. Hopefully through education rather than enforcement we can work with the motorcycling community to bring down the number of deaths on our roads.”
The workshops are held at Police Headquarters at Martlesham Heath, Ipswich, and are on the following dates in 2011: March 18-19, April 8-9, May 27-28, June 10-11, July 15-16, August 19-20, September 23-24.
Bikesafe is suitable for all qualified riders regardless of biking experience. The course is aimed at those wishing to add to the skills they have already acquired and improve their level of riding and general road craft.
The workshops cost £55 per person. For further information on Bikesafe workshops, call Hayley Batterham or Pc Kevin Stark on 01473 613730 or email bikesafe@suffolk.pnn.police.uk. Alternatively details about the course can be found at www.suffolk.police.uk
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