BikeSafe helps more motorcyclists stay safe on the roads

Published on behalf of BikeSafe

Warwickshire Police BikeSafe supported a motorcycle event in Rugby on Saturday (June 23) helping to raise funds for Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance as well as promoting safety on the roads.

Police motorcyclists were at the event, organised by TW Tyres, to carry out free assessed ride outs like the ones available at their own Bikesafe events.

One of the riders who took up the offer was local motorcyclist Diane Charlton who lost the use of her left arm as a result of a motorcycle accident and now rides an adapted Harley Davidson trike.

Diane said: "It was a pleasure to have the opportunity of an assessment on my riding skills. Much as I felt I was a good and conscientious rider information on how I could improve my skills, safety and consequently my enjoyment of the road were invaluable.

"I have been riding motorbikes on and off for 26 years, since the day I turned 16, starting on a Kawasaki AR50 for my first year before progressing onto bigger bikes on which I achieved my full licence.

"My biking past has been plagued by 'being in the wrong place at the wrong time' and I have suffered many injuries caused by drivers just not seeing for me - it would help if they looked!

"As a consequence of this I now have to ride a trike that I have had adapted to be ridden one handed to compensate for losing the use of my left arm. Riding still brings joy to my heart and a silly grin to my face whatever the weather, and I just love the freedom and camaraderie of the road."

BikeSafe observer PC Mitch Oakley, who went pillion on Diane’s trike to assess her riding, said: "Diane has a great attitude to riding and good awareness of hazards on the open road, she has adapted her disability to riding her machine and she produced a competent and confident ride”

Neil Colledge, BikeSafe coordinator for Warwickshire Police, said: “It is fantastic that Diane has not been put off riding following her accident - if anything it has made her more determined to carry on. I know that she was pleased to have the opportunity of being assessed, but it was great for us to see the size of her grin when she returned from the assessment.”

Warwickshire BikeSafe has a number of Rider Skills workshops still available throughout the rest of the year.

They are run out of the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon and cost £50, which includes lunch.

BikeSafe is recognised by leading insurers and can lead to a discount on premiums. This year BikeSafe is backed by the Motorcycle Industry and all riders who book a workshop will be entered into a prize draw and at the end of the year, one lucky rider will win a motorcycle of their choice, to the value of £12,000.

Full details can be found on www.bikesafe.co.uk