MOTORCYCLING IS ON THE UP! .......... BIKE SALES ARE UP! ..........NUMBERS TAKING BIKE TESTS ARE UP!
The concept of Bikesafe Scotland as a National, multi-agency concern is targeted towards reducing Motorcycle accidents through Education, Encouragement and Enforcement. The Launch of this concept is due to take place in March of this year and will see the coming together of The British Motorcyclists’ Federation, The Motorcycle Action Group and every police force in Scotland.
Motorcycling is becoming increasingly popular. 1998 witnessed the biggest year for bike sales since 1985 and to underline the recent increases, motorcycle sales were 30% up on 1997, with a total 120,416 new bikes registered. Although sports bikes dominate the sales charts, scooter sales increased by 79% in 1998, with a scooter reaching sixth spot. Evidence that motorcycling generally is becoming an activity for a wide range of people, of all ages, for a variety of different reasons.
In Scotland, although motorcycle casualties have decreased by 72% since the early 1980’s. Too many are still involved in accidents with 971 people injured throughout 1998, 338 of those sustaining serious injury and 33 having lost their lives.
One motorcycle road death is one too many .......... irrespective of the age or experience of the rider.
The National Launch of Bikesafe Scotland will take place at 1000hrs on Tuesday 7th March 2000 at Motorcycle Services, 18-20 Fulbar Street, Renfrew. The launch will be attended by senior police officers representing ACPOS and their Road Policing Standing Committee. Also in attendance will be senior officials from the Motorcycle Action Group and the British Motorcyclists Federation as well as people whose lives have been directly effected by motorcycle accidents. This event will be followed by localised launches in each of the Police Force areas later that week. Information on localised launches can be obtained from the relevant Traffic Branch.
In addition to the launches, the Bikesafe Scotland Campaign will be promoted on stand C15 at the Scottish Motorcycle Show at the Royal Highland Showground, Ingliston, Edinburgh on the 11th and 12th of March 2000.
After the Launch it is proposed to focus on various events and venues frequented by motorcyclists throughout Scotland. From this year, this will include access to experienced Police motorcyclists who will be available to offer advice and guidance on aspects of safer riding and bike security.
Following the success of the Pilot Scheme of Assessed Rides which took place in both the Strathclyde and Grampian Police areas during 1999, the scheme has been formally adopted and expanded to include the whole of Scotland. The scheme includes both theoretical and practical aspects of motorcycling and the purpose of these Assessed Rides will be to discuss riding techniques and to let you know how safe your riding really is.
It is expected that between April and September approximately 1000 motorcyclists will participate, nationally, in this Scheme. If you would like to take advantage of this free opportunity to participate in a theory session and have your motorcycling assessed by an advanced Police Motorcyclist, please contact your local police Traffic Branch.