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Police Seek To Triumph Over Motorcycle Casualties
24/05/2007
Motorcyclists in Avon and Somerset are being targeted by police in a high profile operation aiming to raise awareness of the dangers they face and promote safer biking advice.
Statistics show that although motorcyclists account for only one per cent of road users, they are involved in around a fifth of all collisions where people are injured.
In Avon and Somerset last year, the Collision Investigation Unit, which attends all serious or fatal collisions, went to 45 incidents involving motorcyclists that were either killed or left with life threatening injuries. In total, 20 riders and one pillion passenger died, which is an increase of five compared to 2005.
Chief Inspector Norman Pascal, from the force's Road Policing Unit, said: "The facts speak for themselves and, although the motorcyclists themselves are by no means always at fault, the risks remain, meaning they need to be aware of the best ways of keeping themselves and their passengers safe.
"Under Operation Triumph, we're looking to raise awareness of safer biking methods by visiting bikers' meeting places to talk through issues and try to get them along to either our one-day or weekend-long courses. We'll also be carrying out stop checks on popular biking routes and taking the opportunity to hand out information about bike security.
"Nationally, 15 per cent of collisions involving motorcyclists happen while overtaking, 12 per cent during cornering, and 30 per cent involve a skid in wet conditions. There's clearly some strong advice and skills we can teach our riders to ensure they enjoy riding safely."
The Ride to Arrive course is for riders with full motorcycle licences who have not taken any 'advanced' training, as well as veteran bikers who may have slipped into bad habits.
The weekend seminars include sessions on observations and overtaking, cornering, slow manoeuvring and first aid as well as two on-road riding sessions.
The course costs £95, which covers two nights' accommodation, all meals and some administration costs.
The BikeSafe Days offer motorcyclists, particularly those who have returned to two wheels after a break of some years, the chance to have their riding assessed by a police motorcyclist who will give advice on how technique could be improved.
There is a programme of events through the year at various locations, with the next courses scheduled for September 2007. The police are always open to arranging bespoke events for employers or rider groups.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the one-day Bike Safe seminar, or attending the weekend-long Ride to Arrive course, should visit www.bikesafe.co.uk or www.ridetoarrive.org.
Operation Triumph will also see officers tackling other aspects of motorcycle-related crime, including theft of motorcycles or parts, anti-social riders using mopeds in residential areas and green spaces, and vehicles which have been illegally enhanced.
View the story on the website: http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/newsroom/ViewStory.aspx?nsid=8740
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