The police riders of Kent Police’s motorcycle section have announced the dates of a new season of workshops and ‘ride-outs’ designed to improve rider skills and awareness. They form part of the national Bikesafe campaign, which aims to reduce the number of casualties on the roads. Similar events run last year were a great success with more than 200 Kent riders taking to the road during the workshop.

Over the last five years, on average, there have been 25 rider deaths a year on Kent roads. It is estimated that 70 per cent of motorbike fatalities are caused by rider error.

PC Les Smith, who co-ordinates the workshops said: “The best modification you can make to the performance of a motorbike is to improve the skills of its rider. We aim to open riders’ eyes to the benefits that result from better training, both in terms of safety and rider enjoyment.”

There are ten all-day workshops between April and October. Following a briefing, riders will be paired with a police advanced rider who will assess their riding skills and give con-structive feedback on a ‘ride-out’ throughout the day. The workshops, which cost £40, will take place on weekdays in normal traffic conditions. The dates are 15 and 27 April, 13 May, 3 and 10 June, 29 July, 2 and 23 September and 9 October, all starting from the Kent Police Driving School.

Full details are on the Bikesafe website. Anyone interested in booking a place should visit www.bikesafe.co.uk, select ‘Kent Police’ from the menu on the right hand side of the screen and complete the online booking form. A booking agent will then call back to confirm the booking or find an alternative date.

The workshops are supported by Kent County Council Road Safety Unit and by the Institute of Advanced Motorists. Motorcycle dealer Hein Gericke are also backing the initiative.