Subsidised courses aim to save motorcyclists’ lives (From The Oxford Times)

Subsidised courses aim to save motorcyclists’ lives

7:00am Tuesday 11th September 2012 in News

BIKERS are being urged to sign up to a safety course to help cut the number of accidents on the county’s roads involving motorcyclists.

The Be a Better Biker one-day courses are being run on Saturday, September 22, in Abingdon and Saturday, October 20, in Witney.

They are being subsidised by Oxfordshire County Council ’s Fire and Rescue Service in a bid to encourage as many bikers as possible to take part.

In the last five years, more than 1,100 motorcyclists and moped riders have been injured on Oxfordshire’s roads.

One in three of them were killed or seriously injured. This year three motorcyclists have been killed and 23 seriously injured.

Last year seven died and 73 were seriously injured.

Those attending will have their riding assessed by specialist instructors and learn safety skills to help keep them safer.

Mandy Rigault, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue road safety team leader, said: “Oxfordshire County Council is offering a subsidy to bring down the cost of the training.

“I encourage all riders to consider the course.”

Places must be booked in advance at beabetterbiker.co.uk