Fire and Rescue Services are seeing more road traffic collisions and new risks like e-bike battery fires. Motorcyclists and powered two-wheeler riders are especially vulnerable, with a high rate of incidents despite being a small part of road users.
To help tackle this, four short animated videos have been created. They focus on protection, visibility, learning, and staying safe
Biker Down
Made up of 3 modules and lasting 3 hours, Biker Down is designed to inform Bikers about what to do on happening upon an accident or even witnessing an accident.
- Scene management = How a rider/witness can cope at the scene immediately after the event looking at the individual's Dynamic Risk Assessment and their initial actions to safeguard themselves, other road users and the casualty, and their responsibilities to themselves and the casualty, delivered by a Fire Bike Rider and closely based on the Fire Service procedures.
- First Aid = Instruction from First-Aid Instructors, input on Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), treatment of likely traumas associated with Motorcycling Accidents and Helmet removal technique.
- The Thinking Biker - This Module looks at the way the brain interprets data sent by the eye so that what’s visible isn’t always seen, examining phenomena such as motion camouflage, saccadic masking and looming, and offers some positive advice on how to make the most of our chances of being seen.
It puts the point over quite clearly that hi-vis clothing, day riding lights and retro-reflective materials don’t guarantee we’ll be seen by other road users!
This is delivered using a film produced by Biker Down North America, which is followed up with an open discussion on the points raised in the video. Informative and interesting and may just challenge some of your previously held views!
At the end of the course, the students will be invited to join the Biker Down East Sussex Facebook page where we can maintain our contact with them and further expose them to our various road safety messages and campaigns.
BikeSafe
BikeSafe is a national police led motorcycle project and it is run by most police forces throughout the UK. Sussex is the only county that delivers this in partnership with the Fire and Rescue Service.
The main aim is to reduce the number of bikers being hurt on the roads. We think that riding should be fun and by improving skills, knowledge and hazard awareness it will hopefully make riding safer and more enjoyable.
The BikeSafe workshop explores the main issues facing today's bikers. It also explores the principles of advanced riding through the on-road element. The BikeSafe observer will give assessment and feedback which will highlight areas where the rider needs to develop.
BikeSafe is about starting on the right path to development as it "Bridges the Gap".
Riders should continue to train throughout their riding years and not just stop once they have passed their bike test.
Visit www.bikesafe.co.uk for course dates bookings in your local area.