Highland police concern over fatal collisions involving bikers prompts safety drive
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Concern over the number of fatal accidents on Highland roads involving motorcyclists has prompted police to kick-start a unique safety drive.
Police Scotland, along with road safety partners in the north of Scotland, has arranged training courses to help bikers ride responsibly and reduce the number of collisions.
Rider Refinement North, the only course of its kind in Scotland, will run in one-day sessions between April and October this year.
Events are planned for Dingwall in April, May, July and August, while there will be identical initiatives held at Inverurie, Elgin, Perth, Stornoway and Orkney.
The course aims to raise road safety awareness and make riders think of the personal consequences of taking risks.
Led by police motorcyclists and accompanied by an observer from the Institute of Advance Motorists, the course will look at key risk factors and provide riders with the knowledge and skills needed to be safer.
The course involves demonstration rides and observed rides with feedback from officers, vehicle examination checks of riders’ bikes and information on safety checks that should be carried out before any journey.
Police Scotland say spaces are limited, with anyone wishing to participate encouraged to provide more than one potential date for attending.
Anyone interested in attending the course should email: operationriderrefinementnorth@scotland.police.uk.
The force says previous courses received positive feedback from riders who changed their riding style and improved their skills as a result of attending Rider Refinement North.
Inspector Greg Burns from road policing said: “Rider Refinement North is the only course of its kind being offered in Scotland and I hope that it will continue to attract riders who recognise this course as a gateway to advanced riding.
“A significant number of fatal collisions in the north area of the country involve motorcyclists.
“With great roads and scenery in Tayside, Grampian and Highland and Islands, motorcyclists from both the local area and from further afield love nothing more than to get out into the countryside to enjoy riding their bikes, especially in the warmer weather.
“The police motorcyclists leading the training will promote safe riding messages and encourage riders to think about their riding style and riding behaviour.
“We want participants to take advantage of the expert tuition and advice we will be providing.
Joining forces with police for the initiative are Road Safety Scotland, Institute of Advance Motorists, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Highland Council, Tayside Road Safety Forum Partnership, Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City, Moray, Robert Gordon University and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
The course costs £40 per rider and includes lunch and is open to any qualified motorcyclist, but with priority given to those living in the Highland and Islands, Tayside and the north-east of Scotland.
Course dates are:
Dingwall - April 16, May 7 and 21, July, 2, and August 6.
Inverurie - April 29, May 14, July 8 and 22, August 20, October 7 and 28 and ladies day, May 27.
Elgin - August 27.
Perth - April 22, May 13, June 10, July 1 and 8, September 2, and October 7.
Stornoway - June 17
Orkney - September 17
