Partnership warns bikers – Don't get caught out!

17 September 2008

Leisure motorcyclists are being warned to play it safe this autumn by the Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership.

Partnership manager Robert Hill said: "Bikers who ride for pleasure in the evenings and at weekends are keen to spend as much time as possible on the county's exhilarating country roads. They ride well into October so we are reminding them to take extra care so they don't get caught out.

Robert added: "The autumn brings extra dangers for bikers – there’s less light and it’s more likely to turn wet, misty or even icy. Reading the road, wearing the right gear and manoeuvring well becomes even more important at this time of year."

Motorcycle safety is a priority for the partnership because almost a third of the people killed or badly hurt on the county's roads last year were bikers.

Earlier this year, the partnership published The Bikers' Guide to Derbyshire - A free pocket-sized booklet explaining how to survive the eight countryside routes which they have identified as biker crash hot spots. The guide also includes an application form for a subsidised rider development course called Bike Plus.

Thanks to Derbyshire County Council, bikers can usually take advantage of the training for as little as £50 if they live in Derbyshire or £90 if they live outside the county. Bike Plus instructors teach bikers to spot hazards and tackle challenges - such as cornering and overtaking - with greater confidence

Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058 a free copy of The Bikers' Guide to Derbyshire.