New THINK BIKE and RIDE SAFELY signage aims to improve safety of motorcyclists using Warwickshire's roads

Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership has distributed over 100 'THINK BIKE' and 'RIDE SAFELY' signs across Warwickshire to encourage bikers and drivers to please #ShareTheSpace and look out for each other on the county's roads.

The WRSP funded initiative, announced as part of the national Vulnerable Road Users campaign between 6 -19 September 2021, aims to support the growing number of motorcyclists by helping them to stay safe and enjoy the freedom that comes with travelling on a bike on some of Warwickshire's most popular motorcycle routes.

The 'THINK BIKE' signs remind drivers to look out for motorcyclists on these popular biker routes, whilst the 'RIDE SAFELY' signage aims to encourage bikers themselves to take extra care on these often more testing routes through the Warwickshire countryside.

The routes for the signage were chosen taking into consideration both casualty statistics and the number of motorcyclists using the routes.

WRSP is extremely grateful to Keir Services and National Highways who assisted by putting the signs up on the following 'strategic road network' routes:-

• The A46 from its junction with A439 down to the county boundary with West Mercia
• The A5 from The Longshoot to M42 Junc 10

Also to Warwickshire County Council for distributing the signage on the following routes:-

• The A4091 from the county boundary through to the A446 junction close to the Belfry
• The B4098 from its junction with the A4097 through to the Coventry boundary
• The B4112 from Newbold on Avon through to Bulkington
• The B4114 from Mancetter through to Nuneaton Ansley Common
• The Fosse Way from southern county boundary through to Princethorpe
• The B4087 from the B4100 then onto the A429 down to Halford
• The A422 from Stratford through to the A429 Junction

Sergeant Shaun Bridle said "We are grateful to Warwickshire County Council and National Highways working with Kier Services who helped us get the new WRSP funded signage in place.

"September is a peak month for motorcycle collisions and so there's no better time to remind drivers of the presence of motorcyclists on our roads. We also want motorcyclists to help themselves by riding safely and upskilling by attending a course such as BikeSafe or Biker Down. "

National Highways Assistant Regional Safety Co-ordinator, Marie Biddulph, said "We know that motorcyclists are one of our most vulnerable groups of road users and it is important to us to do all that we can to keep bikers as safe as possible when out on the roads.

"The new signs will remind drivers to be vigilant for bikes but also encourage motorcyclists to take extra care on these particularly challenging routes. We would also urge motorcyclists to make sure they always wear protective clothing when out on their bikes, whatever the weather."

As well as wearing protective clothing and helmets to help protect you if you are involved in a collision, WRSP is advising motorcyclists to regularly maintain and check your bike and your position on the road so you can be easily seen by other road users and do not ride in drivers' blind spots.

Last minute spaces have become available on the BikeSafe workshop this Sunday 19 Sept. To book please follow the link bit.ly/3e9Yl8Y More information can be found on www.bikesafe.co.uk/Warwickshire

To book Biker Down courses please click here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/biker-down-warwickshire-free-course-tickets-140990701985

The public consultation on Warwickshire's road safety 'Strategy to 2030' closes today, Wednesday 15 September 2021 and all road users including motorcyclists are encouraged to take part. The details can be found on our homepage www.warksroadsafety.org

Please follow and like us on Facebook @WarwickshireRoadSafety and on Twitter @WarksRoadSafety or search #SharetheSpace. Please remember, we need your help to make our roads safer for everyone.

Notes for editors

• In Warwickshire in 2020 3 motorcyclists (12 in 2019) lost their lives on our roads and 45 (78 in 2019) were seriously injured.
• Nationally motorcycle users account for just 0.8 percent of vehicular traffic, but make up 26 per cent of all those killed or seriously injured on the roads

Best regards

Hazel Nicholas

Corporate Communications (Roads Policing)

Warwickshire Police

Leek Wootton

01926 415888
Internal ext 4737

07970 544973