Latest news with #BikeSafe
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Gloucestershire Police launch operation aimed at motorbike safety
POLICE are launching an operation to cut down on road accidents involving motorbikes, bicycles and e-scooters. Gloucestershire Constabulary is supporting the National Police Chiefs' Council's 2Wheel Operation, running until Sunday, June 15, aimed at reducing fatalities and serious injuries. Although motorbikes make up only three per cent of vehicles on UK roads, they account for nearly one-quarter of fatal or serious injury accidents. In Gloucestershire alone, from April 2024 to April 2025, there were 774 road traffic accidents involving motorcyclists, 45 of which were serious, and six were fatal. Many of these could have been prevented with more awareness from other drivers or safer riding. The police will be engaging with two-wheeled road users and educating drivers on their responsibilities. Officers are also encouraging motorcyclists to join BikeSafe, a national police-run initiative to improve riding skills. The force has also issued advice for motorists to help protect two-wheel users, including leaving 1.5m space when overtaking and double-checking mirrors and blind spots.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Force backs summer motorcycle safety campaign
Lincolnshire Police has announced it is supporting a summer motorcycle safety campaign. The 2wheel campaign, led by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), aims to reduce the number of motorcyclists and cyclists killed or seriously injured on our roads through education and enforcement. In Lincolnshire, of the 52 people who lost their lives in fatal collisions in 2024, 14 were motorcyclists and three were pedal cyclists, police said. Insp Jason Baxter, of the Lincolnshire roads policing team, said: "Cyclists and motorcyclists are disproportionately at risk across the UK but specifically, here in Lincolnshire, we have a large proportion of rural roads." He added: "We know those on two wheels are some of the most vulnerable road users, and this campaign is a chance to remind drivers and riders alike of the importance of taking responsibly and using our roads safely." Simon Outen-Coe, of the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, urged motorcyclists to think about the risks associated with the county's rural road network. "Unfortunately, we experience a minority who consider the roads to be akin to a racetrack, whilst we also see careful riders who are involved in collisions where they haven't been seen," he added. The campaign runs from 2-15 June, with motorcyclists in Lincolnshire having the opportunity to take part in a BikeSafe workshop on 12 June. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Lincolnshire records 48 road deaths in 2023 Young drivers at greater risk for crashes Careless driving added to police 'Fatal 5' list Lincolnshire Police National Police Chiefs' Council
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Lincolnshire Police backs 2wheel summer motorcycle safety campaign
Lincolnshire Police has announced it is supporting a summer motorcycle safety 2wheel campaign, led by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), aims to reduce the number of motorcyclists and cyclists killed or seriously injured on our roads through education and Lincolnshire, of the 52 people who lost their lives in fatal collisions in 2024, 14 were motorcyclists and three were pedal cyclists, police Jason Baxter, of the Lincolnshire roads policing team, said: "Cyclists and motorcyclists are disproportionately at risk across the UK but specifically, here in Lincolnshire, we have a large proportion of rural roads." He added: "We know those on two wheels are some of the most vulnerable road users, and this campaign is a chance to remind drivers and riders alike of the importance of taking responsibly and using our roads safely."Simon Outen-Coe, of the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, urged motorcyclists to think about the risks associated with the county's rural road network."Unfortunately, we experience a minority who consider the roads to be akin to a racetrack, whilst we also see careful riders who are involved in collisions where they haven't been seen," he campaign runs from 2-15 June, with motorcyclists in Lincolnshire having the opportunity to take part in a BikeSafe workshop on 12 June. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Waynesville officer uses motorcycle skills as force for good
May 14—Master Officer Tyler Howell has been riding motorcycles of one sort or the other nearly his entire life. But when the Waynesville detective found himself at the North Carolina State Highway Patrol Motor Officers Course in April, his existing knowledge wasn't quite the asset he'd thought it would be. "They said, 'How many guys have ridden anything the majority of their life?' And basically every student we had in there raised their hand. And (our trainer) said, 'I'm either gonna break those bad habits or break you, and you'll end up going home,'" Howell recalled of his first day at the school in Raleigh. "Long story short, it was a very difficult school." Prior to Howell's time at Motor Officer School, Waynesville Police Department's two motorcycles were mostly ceremonial in function — "parades, funeral escorts, the stuff to look pretty," Howell said. But the department wanted to start using the bikes' maneuverability, size, and speed for enforcement and traffic purposes. To do that, somebody would have to be motor officer certified. They call it earning your wings, after the winged motorcycle wheel pin you get to wear after you ace the rigorous training. "Prior to going through the motor school, I could never understand why (the pin) was so guarded by these guys," Howell said. But down there in the Raleigh heat, he began to understand. Howell and his fellow students spent two weeks being put through their paces. To pass the training, they'd need to excel at a variety of tests, including: a tightly-wound cone course, a pursuit test, and a harrowing high-speed braking exercise, among other things. Despite having some bad habits that needed breaking — as almost every motorcycle rider does — Howell was grateful for his lifetime of experience on two wheels. "It became so physically demanding that it became a mental game," he said. "But I'm thankful for the riding experience that I had prior to going down there, because if somebody tries to go down there with no riding experience, there's little to no chance that they'll pass." But pass Howell did. " I'm just thankful to the Waynesville Police Department for allowing me the opportunity to go earn those those wings that I now will guard as well. They don't give those away, I can tell you that," Howell said. The officer is looking forward to using his new skills for the betterment of his community. One of the ways he'll do that is by teaching a program called Bike Safe, a free course for riders that includes book work and hands-on instruction. "We will essentially assess the riders and basically grade them," he said. "It's not a pass or fail, but it's saying 'Hey, here's some things you could do differently while you ride, just to be a little more safe about what you are doing." Howell, whose career in law enforcement spans 17 years and a variety of specialties, is currently serving in a community policing and public relations capacity. It's a job he loves, and he sees the bike as the perfect tool to further his aim of connecting with the people he serves. "It's not all about speeding tickets and running people down," he said. " A lot of the public, especially in Western North Carolina, relate to motorcycles. So I'm fortunate to be in the position that I'm in and be able to use this as a tool to reach out to the community and reach out to the public and let them know, 'Hey, we're human too. We're not robots. And we want to be a part of the community.'"
BBC News
19-04-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Redditch session to help motorcyclists improve riding skills
Motorcyclists will get the chance to become better drivers thanks to a taster day organised in cooperation with police and fire Advanced Motorcyclists Group will help riders improve their skills at its session at Redditch's police and fire station on Sunday 4 May from 10:00 to 16:00 BST. Organised in partnership with Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) John Campion, West Mercia Police and Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, the event is an opportunity for motorcyclists to ride for free with one of the group's qualified the 30-minute ride, feedback will be provided to understand what a rider is doing well and what they can improve. West Mercia Police's BikeSafe team will also have a stall showcasing the force-led courses available to John Campion said: "With the warmer weather on its way and more motorcycles on the road, I want to ensure riders are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to stay safe."Having taken part in the advanced rider course myself, I know from experience how beneficial the course is to becoming a better motorcyclist."Phil Edwards, chairman of Redditch Advanced Motorcyclist Group, said: "Whilst our main objective is to improve the safety of motorcyclists through training, it is equally important to us that bikers have fun on their journeys. "We firmly believe that better-skilled riders are not only safer but get much more enjoyment from their bikes; it's a win-win." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
