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Think Bike!

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Safer road partnership

Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police, together with the Safer Roads Partnership, are reminding road users to 'THINK BIKE' ahead of this weekend.

The annual THINK BIKE campaign was launched in March this year with the aim of reducing casualties and fatalities across Warwickshire, Shropshire, Telford, Worcestershire and Herefordshire. Over the past three years (2014-2016) in Warwickshire and West Mercia there have been 528 people either killed or seriously injured following collisions involving motorcycles.

The campaign is targeting both motorcyclists and car drivers with the aim of increasing general awareness and offering additional training. Advertising and social media messages have been used to encourage road users to share the road responsibly along with the yellow THINK BIKE signs that have appeared on popular routes across the region where collisions have occurred over the past 3 years. These highlight routes where both motorcyclists and drivers need to take care and be more aware.

Part of the campaign is also targeting those bikers who haven't ridden during the winter months and encouraging them to make a few simple safety checks on their bike before using it.

For some riders, their bike may have only been off the road for the winter but for others it can be close to six months. With the onset of the summer months both Forces are urging all riders to check that their bike is in good working order before getting out on the road again and make a few simple checks on areas such as battery / electrics, tyres, chain, fluids, controls, brakes and chassis.

Vicki Bristow, Communications Manager for the Safer Roads Partnership said: "Both Warwickshire and West Mercia are popular with bikers and many riders are attracted to the area, particularly at weekends and when the weather is good. We're aiming to make motorcyclists and other road users more aware of the risks that are present when they are out on the roads and to help us reduce the amount of collisions that take place".

The Safer Roads Partnership offers a 'Take Control' motorcycle skills enhancement course for bikers who want to brush up on their skills, gain more confidence on their bike or become a better rider. For more information visit www.rmtnet.co.uk/take-control or http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/motorbiketraining .

Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police will be undertaking various operations throughout the summer months, targeting dangerous and anti-social riders on targeted routes across the region.