Thank you to our BikeSafe Observers

Volunteers with the North Wales Police BikeSafe scheme have been thanked for their commitment and passion in helping to deliver educational workshops across the region.

The national police-led motorcycle project aims to reduce the number of bikers being hurt on the roads and offer subsidised workshops across North Wales, with volunteers from across the area giving up their time and resources to help deliver the training sessions.

Over the weekend Inspector Iwan Roberts from the Force’s Roads Crime Unit attended Rhug in Corwen to personally thank the BikeSafe Observers for their hard work in assisting with the scheme which has seen 155 motorcyclists attend 15 workshops this year.

The Observers were treated to breakfast and there was an opportunity to evaluate the previous workshops and discuss the 2024 campaign.

The BikeSafe workshops offer practical advice about road safety and educate riders by passing on knowledge and skills to try and help motorcyclists become safer riders. The day-long workshops include classroom-based theory, looking at causation factors and solutions and an assessment ride where participants get vital feedback. They cover matters such as cornering, road positioning, observation, hazard perception and much more.

Inspector Iwan Roberts, North Wales Police’ BikeSafe Coordinator said: “Every year BikeSafe makes inroads to engage with the vulnerable motorcycle community. Delivering these workshops and providing assessments to promote training is core business. However, to accommodate this takes resources. This is where our motorcycle community step up to the plate.

“Specially qualified, experienced bikers offer their support to become BikeSafe observers. They are handpicked to ensure the delivery of such education is of a uniformly high standard. The feedback about the observers from riders attending the workshops is excellent.

“The north Wales example of using volunteers has been taken on board by many more police forces who deliver BikeSafe. Our volunteers are passionate about their involvement and personally I would like to thank each and every one of them for their drive and commitment.

 “All volunteers give up their time, the use of their motorcycles, fuel and expertise to accommodate. As a Coordinator I am privileged to be able to work alongside them.”

Chief Superintendent Mark Williams from the Force’s Operational Support Services Department said: “As a Force we continue to be avid supporters of BikeSafe, an extremely valuable resource that is very well received, and we know these workshops wouldn’t be so successful without the support of our extremely dedicated volunteers.

“Unfortunately, between January and October this year we have seen *23 fatal collisions on the roads of North Wales. Seven of these have involved motorbikes. Common issues in motorbike collisions are left-hand bends, loss of control, excess speed and riding too close.

“Road safety continues to be a priority for North Wales Police and I would encourage as many riders as possible to engage with local BikeSafe workshops in 2024 to assist with the further development of their riding skills.”

Further information regarding the BikeSafe scheme is available via their website www.bikesafe.co.uk

*KSI Casualties in North Wales; January – October:

• 2023: 23 fatal casualties, 206 serious injury casualties
• 2022: 31 fatal casualties, 256 serious injury casualties