Each year too many riders and their passengers are killed or seriously injured.

Motorcycling has never been so popular and there is growth in all powered two-wheel user groups. Whether motorcycle, scooter or moped, riders are finding a new freedom, flexibility and manoeuvrability in traffic and often a new group of friends enjoying the common bond of riding bikes.

One of the drawbacks of riding on two wheels is vulnerability. Any crash involving a bike will undoubtedly be far more severe than in a car - every year too many riders and pillion passengers are killed or seriously injured.

This - combined with a minority who engage in bad riding - gives the impression that motorcyclists are anti-social and dangerous. It is a reality that a number of accidents involve single motorcycles either being ridden too fast for the conditions or beyond the skill of the rider.

In a combined effort to increase rider safety and awareness of dangers, all Scottish police forces, in conjunction with Road Safety Scotland, the Motorcycle Action Group, the British Motorcyclist Federation and Black Horse Motorcycle Finance are promoting ‘BikeSafe Scotland’. Strathclyde Police are also heavily involved in the BikeSafe Scotland initiative.

Although BikeSafe is primarily aimed at motorcyclists, all road users - including pedestrians - are being targeted in this initiative. The aim of BikeSafe is to encourage riders to take further training and enhance the skills they already possess.

The scheme involves short talks on riding skills and personal safety and will endeavour to make a rider think more carefully about their own riding style. This is followed by an assessed ride with a police rider. At the end of the assessment the rider is given feedback on their riding and pointers on subjects such as positioning and cornering.

Many riders of all ages and experience have participated in BikeSafe with nearly all commenting positively on the skills they have learned.

In 2002 Strathclyde Police Traffic Education and Support Team (TEST) and the Motorcycle Section were awarded a COSLA award for excellence for their work in the BikeSafe Scotland initiative.

For further information about BikeSafe contact Constable Peter Findlay - Strathclyde Police Motorcycle Section on 0141 532 6447.