[24 April 2007]

BikeSafe Sussex 2007 launched at Goodwood.

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service was represented at a recent partnership launch of this years BIKESAFE programme.

In an effort to reduce the number of motorcyclists dying each year on Sussex roads, 30 motorcyclists have been put through their paces by specially trained Sussex Police riders.

The first Sussex BikeSafe event of the year was hosted by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars for their employees at their Goodwood manufacturing plant last Sunday (15th April). The 30 motorcyclists were assessed by specially trained Sussex Police riders and advised on how to make their riding safer and more enjoyable.

The full day training included a morning classroom session and a three hour on-the-road assessment, with one police officer assigned to every two motorcyclists or scooter riders. During lunch the riders also had time to chat with representatives from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA), the Highways Agency and Sussex Safer Roads Partnership.

This year, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, along with West Sussex Fire & Rescue service, will host some of these events at its fire stations.

Group Manager Neal Robinson said: “Last year 22 motorcyclists lost their lives on Sussex roads, and we as a Fire and Rescue Service have attended over 80 incidents involving motorcycles in the last 2 years. We are working closely with our partners to bring that down this year. BikeSafe is an excellent opportunity for motorcyclists of all abilities to improve their skills and ultimately make them safer riders. We want everyone to enjoy riding on our roads this summer, but also make sure their trip doesn't end in tragedy.”

[Neal Robinson]