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Motorcycles - life saving hard line continues

North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire County Council are continuing with tough measures that resulted in a significant decrease in motorcycle casualties last year - and the area's assistant chief constable pulled no punches when launching the campaign.

"My message to this minority of riders is this - if you behave badly we will catch you. And after we have caught you, bad things will happen to you," assistant chief constable David Collins warned bikers in North Yorkshire.

Get-tough action days and fast-tracking extreme speeders to court will continue. And roads with a history of rider casualties will see extra patrols, with financial support from the County Council.

Last year rider and pillion passenger deaths went down from 28 to 17, and serious injuries were also slashed. "We have cut motorcyclist fatalities spectacularly - now we want to do better," David Collins added. "We welcome motorcyclists to North Yorkshire - but we do not welcome racers and risk-takers, or riders whose skill is not up the performance of their machines.

"We also do not welcome that immature minority who put adolescent behaviour before the feelings of other people. I am talking about wheelie show-offs, doughnut artists and, especially, those who demonstrate their virility by fitting ear-splitting race exhausts to their machines. There is no reason why the selfish antics of a minority should ruin the enjoyment of the law-abiding majority - which includes fellow-riders who are embarrassed by the behaviour of their infantile cousins," David Collins added.

The force has extended its fast-tracking arrangement so that 'extreme speeders' - those exceeding a speed limit by more than 30mph - will be put before courts very quickly. Last year 372 drivers and 48 riders were fast-tracked - and 91 lost their licence for up to six months.

"Today we are talking primarily about motorcyclists but car drivers should take note - our hard line extends to four-wheel fools as well," Mr Collins added.

The 2005 campaign will also feature special action days at motorcycle events such as race meetings at Croft or Scarborough. The Bike Safe education strategy will also continue, with officers sharing their experience and specialist knowledge with riders who are willing to improve their technique.

The campaign has the full support of North Yorkshire County Council's road safety officer, David Lindsay. "Last year's results were very encouraging but riders are mistaken if they think we will become complacent in 2005. Our message is more than important. It is literally a matter of life and death."