Suffolk Police are giving motorcyclists across the county an opportunity to improve their skills and become better and safer riders by attending a motorcycle course.

In conjunction with Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Police is running a series of ‘Bikesafe’ motorcycle workshops in a bid to decrease the number of motorcyclists being killed or seriously injured in the county.

Bikesafe is a nationally recognised police-run biking initiative focusing on education, and aims to improve rider awareness and rider ability. In 2008 it won the prestigious Motorcycle Industry sponsored Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for achievement and innovation.

In 2011, 30 people were killed on Suffolk’s roads, 8 of which were motorcyclists (26.6 per cent). In 2010, 4 motorcyclists died, 20 per cent of the total fatalities on Suffolk’s roads.

Last year Suffolk Police ran seven workshops, with 120 people attending. All riders are welcome to attend at all levels of motorcycling experience. This year’s series of workshops start on Friday 9^th March, in readiness for the onset of Spring when many motorcyclists will be considering taking their bikes out for the first time this year. The sessions cover a Friday evening from 7pm and a 9am start on the Saturday.

Pc Kevin Stark, from the Roads Policing Unit, commented: “The response we have from those attending the Bikesafe workshops is always very positive. The workshops give motorcyclists greater awareness of the hazards they may face when out and about and help them become better and safer riders.

“Unfortunately last year, we saw an increase in the number of motorcyclists killed on Suffolk’s roads and we hope by running future workshops we can help to reduce this number.

“No matter how experienced or careful you are, advanced rider training will improve the way in which you ride and increase your chances of riding safely, thus avoiding a crash or collision.”

The workshop includes classroom sessions covering topics such as positioning and cornering, plus an escorted ride-out session with a police motorcyclist who will offer an accurate and personalised assessment of the rider’s performance. Furthermore, the Saturday afternoon session will include a first aid session, focusing on injuries that could be obtained from coming off a motorcycle.

Chief Inspector Ady Dawson said: “This is an excellent opportunity to improve your riding skills. Hopefully through education rather than enforcement we can work with the motorcycling community to bring down the number of deaths on our roads.”

The workshops are held at Police Headquarters at Martlesham Heath, Ipswich, and are on the following dates in 2012:

 March 9th and 10th

 April 20th and 21st

 May 4th and 5th

 June 15th and 16th

 July 13th and 14th

Bikesafe is suitable for all qualified riders regardless of biking experience. The course is aimed at those wishing to add to the skills they have already acquired and improve their level of riding and general road craft.

The workshops cost £55 per person. For further information on Bikesafe workshops, call Hayley Batterham or Pc Kevin Stark on 01473 613730 or email bikesafe@suffolk.pnn.police.uk. Alternatively details about the course can be found on the Bikesafe page of the Suffolk Police website: www.suffolk.police.uk or http://bit.ly/zeMxDt