With spring finally here and the weather hopefully improving at last, motorcyclists are encouraged to brush up on their riding skills and book themselves on to a BikeSafe course which are now running in Shropshire or Worcestershire every month up until October.

BikeSafe is a national police run motorcycle initiative, involving an observed ride with a police motorcyclist or approved BikeSafe observer. The course aims to improve riding and reduce the risk of motorcyclists being involved in a collision. Workshops cost just £65 for a full-day and cover areas including: rider attitude, collision causation, cornering, positioning, overtaking, observation, braking, hazard perception and use of gears.

BikeSafe 2024 courses are available in Bridgnorth (Shropshire) and Defford (Worcestershire). Upcoming dates include:

Sergeant David Williams of West Mercia Police said: “We’re really pleased to offer BikeSafe in the West Mercia area and the course has been extremely well-received over the last couple of years. It’s an unfortunate reality that motorcyclists continue to be over-represented in collision figures, and injured or killed as a result of these collisions. We look forward to working with bikers on these courses to ultimately reduce risk and reduce casualties on the roads.”

Reducing motorcycle related collisions and casualties continues to be a priority for the force. In the three years between 2021 – 2023, there have been 42 fatal and 294 serious injury collisions involving motorcycles across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire.

Officers will be conducting various operations throughout the spring and summer months to enforce compliance of road traffic regulations and improve driver/rider behaviour. In addition, ‘Think Bike’ posters have been erected along key motorcycle routes to raise awareness to both motorcyclists and other road users of the importance of looking out for each other.

For more information about BikeSafe, or to book on to a course, visit www.bikesafe.co.uk/westmercia/

BikeSafe courses continue to be very popular among bikers, which is highlighted in this recent comment from a course attendee: “Genuinely the best £65 bike accessory I’ve ever bought. Don’t even think about doing this – just get it booked.”