Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and are running a joint campaign aimed at promoting motorcycle safety across the Thames Valley.
The ‘Ride Safe’ campaign will engage with local riders to promote key safety messages, including the importance of bike maintenance and wearing correct riding kit. Riders will also be encouraged to revisit their riding skills as many may be returning to riding after a winter break.
In line with COVID-19 control measures set out in the Government Roadmap, representatives from the fire and rescue services will visit local motorbike shops upon reopening, as well as meeting places around the region to engage with riders. Special ‘Ride Safe’ posters will be put up along favourite riding routes during the campaign and key messages will be featured on the ‘Biker Down Thames Valley’ Facebook page.
This is the latest in collaborative working between the three fire and rescue services, who work together to provide the award-winning ‘Biker Down!’ collision management and first aid course for local riders. Over the past few years, hundreds of people have taken the course, which aims to promote motorcycle safety.
Other partner organisations will be supporting the campaign, including Thames Valley Police, Buckinghamshire County Council and advanced motorcycle riding groups.
Keith Wheeler, Road Safety Officer from Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Motorcyclists are over-represented in collision and casualty statistics, both locally and nationally. With increasing numbers of people taking to two wheels, our aim is to encourage our local riders to do all they can to ride safe.”
For more information on staying safe while out and about, please visit our website: rbfrs.co.uk/outandabout.