Carolyn Keene reports:  A month-long education and enforcement campaign to tackle the growing numbers of motorcycle casualties on roads in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, has been launched by police.

Since the beginning of the year, eight motorcyclists have lost their lives in collisions across the two counties.

During each weekend in May, police will patrol motorcycle casualty routes and engage with motorcyclists, with Roads Policing officers attending bike meetings to discuss the importance of safe riding and promote BikeSafe.

New look BikeSafe Rider workshops were launched by the constabulary in March this year.  

BikeSafe is a national police-led initiative aimed at increasing awareness of road safety and reducing the numbers of motorbike casualties on our roads.

The workshops consists of classroom-based theory followed by an afternoon “on-road” observed riding session with a police motorcyclist, covering 80 miles of urban and country roads.

Last year 20 motorcyclists died in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight – an increase of 29 per cent compared with 2006.

There were a further 299 serious injury collisions across the two counties involving motorcyclists.

PC Mick Gear, Hampshire Constabulary’s BikeSafe coordinator said:

“We don’t want any motorcyclists to stop enjoying their bikes, but with a worrying number of fatalities on our roads already this year, our campaign is all about working with motorcyclists to reduce casualties and promote safe riding.  

“Motorbikes are powerful machines and one dangerous manoeuvre or a split second lack of concentration can mean the difference between life and death.

“Motorcyclists are vulnerable and it is important that other road users also play a part in their safety and take time to check for bikes, particularly when emerging from junctions.”

The force’s May campaign coincides with the Department for Transport’s Think! Road Safety motorcycle initiative. 

Further information on the force’s motorcycle initiative will be released later this month.

Isle of Wight Community News @Island Pulse.