Police motorcyclists prepare for Bike Safe show

Essex Police motorcyclists will again be taking part in an annual safety show to drive home their campaign to reduce biker casualties on the county's roads.

The fifth Essex Bike Safe Show will be held at Millfields, Burnham-on-Crouch on Sunday April 25.

The show, organised by Essex Casualty Reduction Board, Essex Air Ambulance, Maldon Community Safety Partnership and Essex Police, will include stands featuring the latest motorcycles and biker clothing and equipment.

The Essex Police helicopter will be at the show, the Essex Air Ambulance will fly in, medical emergencies permitting, the Essex Police marine Unit will be there and offer a chance of a trip out on one of their high speed boats and there will be numerous family entertainments from bouncy castles to quad bikes. The whole event is in support of the Essex Air Ambulance.

But there is also a strong emphasis on road safety with bikers getting the chance to ride out with qualified instructors and police motorcyclists and an opportunity to sign up for further training.

Acting Insp Mick Green, of Essex's Road Policing Unit said: "The Bike Safe Show marks the start of the Bike Safe season and is an opportunity for riders to try a variety of new motorbikes and have their riding assessed at the same time.

 The Bike Safe show is an opportunity for riders to try a variety of new motorbikes and have their riding asssessed at the same
time. 
Insp Mick Green

"The Bike Safe campaign runs through the summer when a large number of motorcyclists take to the roads of Essex.. The campaign was set up following an increase in fatal and serious injury incidents involving riders.

"Last year we put 170 riders through a Bike Safe day and we continue to push Bike Safe to give riders some assessment and push them on to further training, we are holding our first workshop this Saturday April 17, and on Saturdays throughout the summer."

Essex Police motorcyclists also run college days for younger riders and young rider pit stops where officers check the bikes and ensure they know what to check safety wise, talk to them about safety kit and try to ensure that they are as safe as possible

Police motorcyclists will also be carrying out casualty reduction work around the county and patrolling routes where there are high casualty rates. They will also be dealing with speeding complaints and motorcycle issues in villages on popular motorcycle routes.

The team is also working closely with Essex County Council engineers to install signs and special bollards to reduce casualty figures on roads with sharp bends.

Insp Green added: "The police motorcyclists are passionate about reducing casualties on our roads. We want motorcyclists to come to the county and enjoy our roads but we insist that they do that legally and with consideration for others."

Photo: Jon Harman, Essex Police; Lee Hurst, Essex Fire & Rescue; Mick Green, Essex Police; Sue Cannon, Cannon BMW; Wendy Byland, Events Manager at Essex Air Ambulance and Ray Jeffery, Essex Police.