Biker workshop for 16 to 19-year-olds to reduce numbers killed or seriously injured on our roads

The Road Policing Unit (RPU) in Beds, Cambs and Herts have launched new biker workshops for 16 to 19-year-olds with the aim of reducing the number of young motorcyclists killed or seriously injured on our roads.

In the three years between 2021 and 2023, four 16 to 19-year-olds were killed and 126 were seriously injured whilst driving a powered-two wheeler across the three counties. It total 441 riders were involved in road traffic collisions.

A workshop will be taking place at the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service HQ in Kempston on Sunday 2 June 2024 between 8.30am and 4pm. People can complete an online form to book their free place. Further workshops are due to be rolled out across Beds, Cambs and Herts in the coming months.

The workshops include:

• An observed ride by police riders and slow riding course.
• Learning the importance of the correct PPE.
• Immediate first aid.
• A VR session to educate riders on hazards on the roads.
• Learning basic maintenance.

Those in attendance will also receive a voucher for £100 to be spent on Protective equipment.

RPU Inspector Pete Scholes said: “It’s so important to work with this age group, as they are at most risk of being killed or seriously injured on our roads.

“We want to implement good techniques and knowledge from a young age, to ensure riders stay safe on their bikes. Being on a motorcycle can be dangerous; they make up approximately 3% of all traffic, but nationally in 2021, motorcyclists accounted for 20% of those who were killed or seriously injured on our roads. This is disproportionate.”

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