Warwickshire Police and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service encourage bikers to refresh their skills and upskill

Warwickshire Police and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service are encouraging bikers to refresh their riding skills and to upskill by signing up to attend a one day BikeSafe or Biker Down workshop.

The push comes as part of the National Police Chief Council’s 2 Wheels campaign between 5-18 April 2021 to help improve the safety of bikers as more people take to 2 wheels as the weather continues to improve.

BikeSafe is a national police run motorcycle initiative which aims to improve riding and reduce the risk of motorcyclists being involved in a collision, as well as raising awareness of the importance of progressing on to accredited post-test training.

The BikeSafe initiative offers bikers the opportunity to spend a day learning from advanced police motorcyclists and experience a professional police-observed ride with them to improve their riding skills, safety and enjoyment of riding their bike on the roads. Workshops cost £65 and cover areas including rider attitude, collision causation, cornering, positioning, overtaking, observation, braking, hazard perception and use of gears.

Sergeant Shaun Bridle said “Most riders are dusting off their motorbikes after winter and getting them ready for the new season, but it’s not just your bike that may need attention. There are some great routes in Warwickshire and we can help you improve your skills so you can get the most out of your time on your bike whilst staying as safe as possible.”

The first BikeSafe course of the year takes place this weekend on Sunday 11 April with courses every other Sunday until the end of October at Leek Wootton. Spaces are limited, so anyone interested is encouraged to book a place ASAP to avoid disappointment. They are booking up fast but we currently have spaces on 15 August, 12 & 26 September and 10 & 24 October. To book, please visit bit.ly/3e9Yl8Y More information is available on www.bikesafe.co.uk

The enjoyment and freedom a motorcycle gives is hard to match, however riders know themselves they are more likely to be seriously injured if involved in a collision.

In 2019, 12 motorbike riders lost their lives in fatal collisions in Warwickshire, and a further 72 bikers suffered serious or life changing injuries. Most of these but not all involved more powerful motorbikes over 500cc. In 2020 the number of bikers killed (3) and seriously injured (43) on our roads is less due primarily to lockdown. However despite these reductions the trends remain the same with those aged 18-35 most likely to be involved in a collision and almost all of those killed or seriously injured being men.

This is why Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service supported by partners including Warwickshire Police offers Biker Down.

Warwickshire Biker Down is a FREE three hour course delivered from Rugby Fire Station that helps give riders an awareness of what to do if you are first at the scene of a motorcycle collision. The workshop is for new and experienced riders of all ages and is delivered alongside BikeSafe team members of Warwickshire Police. The workshop highlights what key things you can do to manage a scene, the science of being seen and also basic first aid which involves CPR and helmet removal. Workshops are run every month and can be booked through Eventbrite.

Darren Morris, Biker Down Coordinator said “The importance of courses like Biker Down cannot be overestimated. The actions taken in the first few moments after an incident can make a real difference to the lives of those involved. Motorcyclists often ride out in groups and Biker Down offers bikers the opportunity to learn what to do if they are the first at the scene of a motorcycle collision.”

Since 2015, over 780 bikers have attended the Biker Down course.

Spaces are available on Biker Down on Sunday 27 June, 25 July, 29 August and 31 October. To book a Free Biker Down course please follow the link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/biker-down-warwickshire-free-course-tickets-140990701985

As well as BikeSafe and Biker Down there are lots of online training videos available or books to help get you ready such as the Motorcycle Roadcraft or Official DVSA riding guide or have a look at https://www.think.gov.uk/campaign/motorcycling/

Please follow us on Twitter @WarksPolice @OPUWarks and Facebook @WarwickshirePolice
And Warwickshire Biker Down on Twitter @WarksFireRescue and on Facebook @BikerDownWarwickshire

Additional information
• In 2020 there were 3 fatal collisions (75% less) compared to 12 in 2019 (all males) and 67% less serious collisions with 43 in 2020 (only 2 female) compared to 72 in 2019 (only 3 female).
• In 2019 9 of these fatalities (75%) occurred on A roads, and all 3 fatalities in 2020 were on unclassified roads.
• Despite these reductions the trends remain the same with those aged 18-35 year old most likely to be involved in a collision.
• Surprisingly, the highest number of collisions occur on roads with a 30mph speed limit 34% in 2019, followed by 50 mph and 60 mph although numbers have reduced primarily due to lockdown the trend is still the same.
• In 2019 64% of collisions occurred either "not at or within 20m of a junction" or at "T junctions and staggered junctions" compared to 59% in 2020. This is a slight reduction but the same trend overall.