Bikers urged to sign up for riding course

Bikers across North Wales are being asked to consider improving their skills to ensure they are safe on the region’s roads by signing up for a *free workshop.

BikeSafe – a police-led motorcycle project; offers practical advice about road safety and educates riders by passing on knowledge and skills to try and encourages motorcyclists to take post-test Advanced Training which can realise their best potential and become safer riders. The BikeSafe day includes an ‘assessment ride’ where participants get vital feedback.

Supported by the six local authorities, the workshops are held at various locations in Deeside, Rhyl, St Asaph, Colwyn Bay, Llanrwst, Porthmadog and Llangefni.

This year for the first time ever, workshops will be delivered to the general public on the Isle of Anglesey thanks to assistance from the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

The first of the 2018 workshops will be held at Llangefni Fire Station on March 10^th and bookings are now being taken. Others will be held there in July and September.

North Wales Police BikeSafe Co-ordinator Paul Cheshire said: “Centrally placed on the island this new location will open up the possibility for new routes to carry out the assessments.

“Anglesey is not necessarily known for many motorcycle collisions but they do happen and the island has a very up to date track circuit at Ty Croes that provides many biker events throughout the year.

“The workshops are not exclusive to residents and this new location will also allow employees who don’t necessarily reside for long in the area, such as RAF Valley, to take advantage.

He added: “During 2017 a total of 224 people attended a BikeSafe workshop across the region. The feedback we get is extremely positive – they like the informal element of the classroom-based workshop and enjoy meeting a mixture of people. Some of our previous students have even returned to become BikeSafe volunteers.”

With the main aim of reducing the number of bikers being hurt on the roads, the workshops explore the main riding hazards that motorcyclists face. By delivering theory presentations and observed rides a BikeSafe workshop helps bikers discover their strengths and weaknesses.

Paul Cheshire added: “Motorcycles are a vulnerable class of vehicle. They don’t offer the same protection that a car can offer, but that doesn’t mean to say you can’t stay safe. As spring is just around the corner why not enrol on one of our workshops so you have the skills for the rest of the biking season and beyond.”

Spaces on the BikeSafe workshops are limited so riders are urged to book quickly to avoid missing out. A full list of the dates and locations can be found via the BikeSafe website.
*free workshops are subject to a booking fee.