23/06/04 - Safety first for bikers

RIDERS are taking to the roads to take the latest Safer Roads for Cumbria message to motorcyclists in the county.   

MAG, the Motorcycle Action Group, have been working closely with the partnership and their It Wouldn’t Kill You road safety campaign.   

Members of the group were involved in putting together information for an information leaflet for motorcyclists entitled It Wouldn’t Kill You - To Know Your Limits.   

Weekends bring more deaths and serious injuries to motorcyclists in Cumbria than at any other time. 

MAG’s Cumbria organiser Brian Hodgson says:    

"If you don’t have the experience to control your motorbike with confidence at high speeds, then get the experience. MAG are closely involved in the Bike Safe scheme, a national campaign that works with police forces around the UK. By passing on their knowledge, skills and experience, police motorcyclists can help riders become more safer, competent riders.    

MAG members are distributing 2,000 leaflets to bikers in the region with the message "It wouldn’t kill you…to get some experience."   

"MAG financed the first Bike Safe, which was launched in North Yorkshire, and have a great deal of information on riding safely. The aim of MAG is to reduce the number of motorcycle fatalities." 

Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet spokesman for Highways and Infrastructure, Kevan Wilkinson says:    

"Safer Roads for Cumbria is aiming to reduce the number of motorcycle accident casualties in Cumbria by promoting safer and better riding.   

"There are more riders re-discovering motorcycling than ever before. Modern motorcycles are more powerful than ever before. Riders who take up this pastime after a long absence - with no extra training or re-training - can be putting themselves and others at risk."