Dates announced for ‘Safe Rider’ workshops for Suffolk motorcyclists

Motorcyclists across Suffolk are being given the opportunity to improve their riding skills and to have better awareness and ability while on the road at ‘Safe Rider’ motorcycle workshops to be held in 2018.

There is an added incentive to those wishing to attend a course next year, as the first 10 people who complete an advanced test following their attendance on a Safe Rider workshop, will have the £50 course fee refunded (thanks to the support of the Copdock Classic Motorcycle Club).

In an effort to encourage more riders under the age of 25 to take the course, they will be able to attend for half price (£25), which will be funded by the Safe Rider scheme.

Safe Rider is a joint initiative between Suffolk and Norfolk Constabularies aimed at reducing the number of motorcycle casualties across the counties. To date in 2017, 31 people have been killed on Suffolk’s roads, six of which were motorcyclists. In 2016, a total 32 people died on the county’s roads, six of which involved motorcyclists, with five riders dying and one pillion passenger.

The two day workshops will run from April through to October, the months when it is considered the number of motorcyclists taking to the roads increases due to more clement weather. The workshops are aimed at all fully qualified riders who want to improve their skills to become better and safer riders.

PC Kevin Stark, from Suffolk Constabulary’s Serious Collision Investigation Team and who is organising the workshops, said: “Reducing the number of people who are killed or seriously injured on the county’s roads remains a priority for us and the number of fatalities overall so far this year is just one less than in 2016, with those involving motorcyclists representing almost 20% of total deaths. The underlying message of the workshops is that education is key, not enforcement. The workshops give motorcyclists greater awareness of the hazards they may face when out and about to help them become better and safer riders.

“I hope that the financial incentives being offered next year will encourage more riders to attend a course – particularly in the under 25 age group, from which we tend to not get as many participants. Perhaps someone looking for last minute Christmas ideas for a motorcycling enthusiast might consider booking them onto Safe Rider.”

Safe Rider courses are aimed at riders living in Suffolk and are run with the support of Suffolk Roadsafe and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, with funding provided from Copdock Classic Motorcycle Club, along with Lings Motor Group, Bowers Motorcycles and Orwell Motorcycles.

The workshops cost £50 per person, or £25 for those under 25, and are held at Suffolk Police Headquarters, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich. They start at 7pm on a Friday evening with classroom sessions on the system of road craft, with particular attention given to positioning and cornering.

The next morning, there will be an escorted ride out session with a Class 1 police motorcyclist. A maximum 3:1 ratio ensures an accurate and personalised assessment of riding performance.

First aid sessions take place on the Saturday afternoon provided by Suffolk Fire and Rescue

The workshop dates for 2018 are: April 6/7, May 11/12, June 29/30, July 13/14, August 17/18, September 21/22 and October 5/6.

For further information visit the Suffolk Police website: www.suffolk.police.uk/services/safe-rider-workshop or if you would like to register for a course, call The Motorcycle Casualty Reduction Team on 01473 613888, ext 3722 or PC Kevin Stark on 01473 613888 Ext 3395 or email: saferider@suffolk.pnn.police.uk </