Police urge motorists to Think Bike
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Police are urging motorcyclists in the strath to ride safely as bikers prepare to get back on the road for the summer season.
As the nights are getting longer, many recreational bikers will be taking their machines out of storage and getting back on the road, possibly for the first time in several months.
The Police Scotland Motorcycle Safety Campaign will promote safe and responsible motorcycling with a view to reducing the number of road traffic casualties and improving rider behaviour.
The campaign, which will run until the end of September, was launched today.
Superintendent Louise Blakelock, deputy head of road policing at Police Scotland, said: “Although motorcyclists make up only one per cent of the motoring public they account for around 20 per cent of the people killed in road crashes, often during cornering or overtaking manoeuvres. "Motorcyclists are more vulnerable than other motorists - the smallest of errors, by rider or driver, can lead to very serious consequences, particularly when higher speeds are involved."
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: “We have been successful in reducing accidents and casualties and Scotland now ranks amongst the safest countries in the world for road safety.
"In spite of this progress, more remains to be done and particularly for motorcyclists."
He continued: “I would strongly urge all motorcyclists – regardless of their experience levels – to visit the Road Safety Scotland ‘Live Fast Die Old’ Facebook page and also view the Breathtaking Roads campaign.
"It’s easy to think you know it all, but these resources will provide helpful hints and tips to make sure everyone enjoys their day and gets home safely.”
The campaign will be supported by the Area Safety Camera Units and will include deploying a specially equipped motorcycle which has all the functionality of a Safety Camera van, but with technology, including forward-facing speed cameras, packed into a highly-manoeuvrable motorcycle.
