Police biker safety campaign to 'educate the public'

Motorbike riders have to ride "defensively" because drivers do not look out for them, some have told the BBC.

To highlight these issues with road safety Avon and Somerset Police has joined a national campaign to reduce fatalities on two-wheeled vehicles.

According to the force, there have been 28 fatal collisions involving powered two-wheel vehicles since January 2023.

William Tucker, 22, from Somerset said everyone around him always warn him to "go safe - don't push it too hard".

"You get some car users who don't see the bikes," he said.

"It is part of the risk of having a bike - you have to ride quite defensively otherwise you will come to grief."

Mykel Brereton, 23, from Watchet who has had a few "near misses" said it is "all great until you need to pull out somewhere".

"People don't look out you and think you're small so think they can beat your bike. It's not good at all," he said.

Alaistair Lockwood, 24, from Taunton said a "big part of biking" is the "kind" community that looks out for each other.

"Just don't be another statistic - as long as you're aware that other road users are a hazard to you," he said.

As part of the national road safety campaign Avon and Somerset Police said it would take on extra measures including, patrols of high-risk routes and use of drones.

Matt Boiles from Avon Somerset Police explained that the campaign is not just "focusing on bikes and prosecuting bikers".

"It's about educating the public as a whole to the risks that bikers are exposed to and the risks they expose themselves by their riding," he said.

The campaign takes place from 2-15 June.

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