Easter biking – are you ready for the road?

Easter weekend, it's the perfect time for getting out on the motorbike. But, to keep you and other road users safe, make sure it – and you – are ready for the road.

"At this time of year, as the weather generally starts improving, many bikers are thinking about taking their bikes for the first ride-out of the year." said Station Manager Colin Heyes, the Service's road safety manager.

"However, along with this increase in biker activity unfortunately we know that there will be an increase in the number of bike related collisions on the roads."

Statistics show that injuries to motorcyclists are out of proportion to their presence on our roads. Motorcyclists are just 1% of total road traffic, but account for 19% of all road user deaths.

Motorcyclists are roughly 38 times more likely to be killed in a road traffic accident than car occupants, per mile ridden.

In 2013, 331 motorcyclists died and 4,866 were seriously injured in road collisions in Great Britain. Motorcyclist KSIs have fallen since 2008 when 493 motorcyclists were killed and 5,556 were seriously injured on Britain's roads.

30 motorcyclists are killed or injured every day at junctions.

"We want people to enjoy riding their bikes on our roads but we also want them to be safe. We hope that by educating and informing people about possible dangers we can help them be avoided," continued Colin.

"In addition to a thorough check of brakes and suspension, the POWDERY mnemonic is a great way to remember the ways in which your bike must be thoroughly checked before it is taken out after a winter lay up. Breaking down can be dangerous, and a faulty tyre can be lethal.

P = Petrol, O = Oil, W = Water, D = Damage, E = Electrics, R = Rubber and, last but certainly not least, Y = YOU.

"The rider must also be ready for the road. Riders' skills can fade considerably after a few months off the bike. It's important to recognise this and adjust the ride accordingly – ease yourself back into the riding season.

"Get your observation skills back to where they need to be, and your bike control will certainly not be as good as it was at the end of last year when you put the bike away, so keep the speeds down."

It is very important that riders wear the right gear. This is as important to safety as servicing and knowing how to ride a motorcycle. Riders should wear bright or florescent gear during the day and reflective gear at night, and always wear a protective jacket, gloves, boots and trousers.

"Above all," ended Colin, "We recommend that all riders should take part in some sort of post test training. There are various accredited courses available at a reasonable cost from voluntary organisations such as the Institute of Advaced Motorists as well as commercial training companies.

These courses not only increase the skills of the rider and reduce the likelihood of crashing, but they often reduce insurance costs, and they will make your riding more enjoyable whether you're on a sportsbike, cruiser, commuter or tourer."

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service organises Biker Down courses. Biker Down is a free training course run by bikers for bikers and offers people the chance to learn practical skills to help avoid being involved in a crash, as well as essential first-aid training and advice on what to do should they find themselves first on the scene of a crash where someone is injured.

All the 2015 courses will be held at Service Headquarters in Sadler Road, Winsford CW7 2FQ, from 12 noon to 4pm:

• Sunday 12 April 2015
• Sunday 24 May 2015
• Sunday 5 July 2015
• Sunday 23 August 2015
• Sunday 4 October 2015
• Sunday 6 December 2015

These courses are extremely popular and places are limited, so book early by emailing frances.egerton@cheshirefire.gov.uk

For more information about Biker Down visit our website- http://www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/public-safety/road-safety/biker-down

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