Poster campaign urges bikers to put the brakes on

West Country motorcyclists are being urged to put a brake on their speed in a new campaign to reduce the number of bikers being killed and injured on the region's roads.

Posters will be appearing on bus backs throughout Avon, Somerset and Gloucestershire reminding riders to adjust their speed to the road conditions.

The purple and black posters show a motorcyclist taking a bend at night, and are overprinted with the words ‘Too Fast -Too Furious… Bikers…Kill Your Speed’.

Some 633 motorcyclists were injured in road accidents in Avon, Somerset and Gloucestershire during 2003 - including 20 deaths and 239 serious injuries.

Road safety experts say many of the accidents are caused by loss of control or dangerous overtaking - and that excessive or inappropriate speed for the conditions is a major factor.

"Motorcycling is very safe and enjoyable, provided riders are sensible and adjust their speed to the road conditions," says Dave Gollicker, communications manager of the Avon and Somerset Safety Camera Partnership, which is behind the new campaign. "This campaign has been timed to coincide with the lighter evenings and warmer weather, when many motorcycling enthusiasts will be taking to the road again after the winter months."

Mr Gollicker also recommends that motorcyclists - particularly those who have not ridden for some time - should take some form of advanced training.

"Many ‘born-again bikers’ have not ridden for a while and tend to forget that bikes are more powerful these days, even the smaller machines, and road conditions have changed with a big increase in the volume of traffic," he said. "They need to familiarise themselves with their machine and get used to the braking, acceleration and general handling.

"Most importantly they need to take account of road conditions, which can affect the stability of the bike, and adapt their speed so they can react to unexpected hazards."

For further information contact Dave Gollicker on 01823 423430.