Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spearheading motorcycle safety campaign

News Desk
Authored by News Desk
Posted Sunday, April 25, 2021 - 11:29pm

Think Bike Week 2021 runs until 3 May

Think Bike Week (23 April – 3 May) is a national campaign aimed at motorcyclists. It highlights the importance of bike maintenance and the wearing of proper riding kit. 

Riders are also being encouraged to ‘brush up’ their riding skills at a time when many may be returning to riding after a significant break.

  • Motorcycles only make up 1% of all vehicle traffic however, their risk of death is 57% times higher than in cars.
  • Motorcyclists make up 19% of all road fatalities.
  • There are a higher number of collisions on urban roads, but in Devon and Somerset we tend to have more serious collisions on rural roads. 

 Chris Boston, Watch Manager for road safety at Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said:

“Think Bike Week is a time to raise awareness of safety for bikers. In springtime we usually see a lot of bikers out and about, and our work will help riders to be more visible on the road, and to ride more safely.

“Throughout the year we work in partnership with local authorities to reduce the number of killed and seriously injured motorbike riders.

“We also are an official training provider of Biker Down – a three hour course to help bikers reduce their risk of accidents, and know what to do if they are involved with, or see an injured motorcyclist.”

Think Bike Week is supported and endorsed by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC). Tony Crook, NFCC Lead for Road Safety said:

“Motorcyclists are over-represented in collision and casualty statistics nationally. With increasing numbers of people taking to two wheels, our aim is to encourage riders to do all they can to stay safe. This campaign at the beginning of the motorcycling season as a great opportunity for all partners to deliver a range of safety messages across the UK.”

Other partner organisations supporting the campaign include: the National Police Chiefs Council, the Motorcycle Industry Association, Trading Standards England, Highways England, the National Young Riders Forum, RoSPA, IAM and the Motorcycle Action Group.

Share this