Free safety courses for motor cyclists

FOUR free safety courses for motor cyclists are to be held at Lymm between July and December.
They are being offered as part of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s “Biker Down” which, since it was launched five years ago, has been attended by more than 2,150 people.
Biker Down helps to equip attendees with vital information on how to keep themselves and other bikers safe.
People who attend the courses also learn about the science of being seen, how to deal with a casualty at the scene of a crash, how to remove a motorcycle helmet safely as well as how to use a defibrillator.
Biker Down is a free training course for motorcyclists of all ages and experience – and is run by bikers for bikers.
It offers motorcyclists the chance to learn practical skills to help avoid being involved in a crash, as well as essential first-aid training and advice on what to do should they find themselves first on the scene of a crash where someone is injured.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Fire Bike Team have delivered a total of 78 courses and have raised £6,000 for North West Air Ambulance.
Road safety manager Andy Gray said: “Motorcyclists are far more vulnerable than car, van and lorry drivers, One per cent of road traffic is comprised of motorcyclists, yet they are 45 times more likely to be involved in a serious accident.
“This course offers the chance to learn practical skills to lessen the chances of being involved in a crash. We want people to enjoy riding their bikes on our roads but we also want them to be safe. We hope that by educating and informing bikers about the possible dangers on our roads, we can help them be avoided.
“We fully support post-test training as being a key area in improving riders’ safety and actively promote and recommend  Biker Down and other courses and training such as Bike Safe, Institute of Advanced Motorists, Rospa.
The next Biker Down courses are taking place on:
* Sunday July 21 at Safety Central in Lymm, 12pm until 4pm
* Sunday October 13 at Safety Central in Lymm, 12pm until 4pm
*  Sunday November 10 at Safety Central in Lymm, 12pm until 4pm
*  Sunday December 8 at Safety Central in Lymm, 12pm until 4pm
Places are limited, so book a place on the course by emailing [email protected]
For more information about Biker Down visit www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/public-safety/road-safety/biker-down.