Backpack highlights biker safety
Updated on 12th November 2009 16:33
Motorcyclists across Nottinghamshire are being encouraged to pick up a free high visibility backpack to help keep them safe on the county’s roads.
The ‘Think Bike’ campaign was launched on Friday 23 October to coincide with the clocks going back, bringing darker nights forward. The scheme is being run by the Nottinghamshire Road Safety Partnership in an attempt to educate bikers about the dangers of the road.
Over the last three years, 44 people riding motorbikes have been killed on the roads across Nottinghamshire. A further 461 have sustained serious injuries.
So far this year, 12 motorcyclists and one pillion passenger have died as a result of road crashes in the county.
With a growing number of people using motorcycles to travel, it is hoped the backpacks will help provide a practical way to increase the visibility of motorbikers to other drivers.
Chief Inspector Andy Charlton, Head of the Roads Policing Unit, said: “Wearing bright reflective clothing every time they ride their bikes will help other motorists on the roads. It makes motorcyclists more visible to other road users and will hopefully help reduce the vulnerability they can have on the roads at this time of year.
“Dark nights and bad weather conditions can make it more difficult for other drivers to notice bikers. We would encourage anyone using the county’s roads to take care and make sure they leave plenty of time to get to their destination through the winter months.”
The reflective backpacks can be picked up from a number of front counters at police stations, while stocks last:
Beeston, Carlton, Central, Hucknall, Mansfield, Newark, Oxclose Lane, Radford Road, Sutton in Ashfield, West Bridgford and Worksop.