East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service seized the opportunity to launch its brand new FireBike at the May Day Bike Run on Hastings seafront. The event was attended by an estimated 40,000 bikers and spectators, providing an excellent opportunity to deliver the BikeSafe message with the draw of an eye-catching 2009 Honda Fireblade FireBike.

With the weather improving and the biking season upon us, bikers are dusting off their leathers and enjoying the great motorcycle rides that East Sussex has to offer.

However, with significant numbers of bikers killed or seriously injured each year, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP) remind riders to ensure that their skills haven't diminished over the winter.

Between January 2006 and December 2008, Sussex Police reported that in Sussex 400 riders were seriously injured and 51 killed, with the majority of deaths occurring in the Wealden and Rother Districts. Motorcyclists are a high risk group and, to this end, the popular BikeSafe course has re-launched for the summer, offering riders an opportunity to improve their skills through theoretical and practical sessions.

Chris Pascoe, Head Of Community Safety, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said: "East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is all too aware of the level of death and injury among the biking community. Many incidents can easily be avoided.

By offering extra assessments through BikeSafe and monitoring the roads for anti-social riding, we and the partners of the SSRP are determined to make the roads safer for all."

Chris continued: "The FireBike drew a lot of interest from bikers at the May Day Run in Hastings. However, it's not just bikers that need to be aware of the safe biking messages we are trying to get across. Motorcyclists can easily get lost in a car's blind spot and we are appealing to drivers to apply extra caution as they 'Look, Look and Look Again'.!"

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service hopes that the FireBike will provide a proactive educational tool to allow effective engagement with riders of all ages and interests throughout the county.

The East Sussex BikeSafe courses will run at Bexhill community fire station on 17th July, 11th September and 24th October.

For more information about the BikeSafe courses, including national dates and venues, visit www.bikesafe.co.uk or call the BikeSafe Hotline on 08452 307 407.