Bikers are being urged to seek additional training with some of the country’s most experienced police motorcyclists in an effort to reduce the “shocking” number of accidents on Scotland’s roads.
Last summer 24 motorcyclists were killed – 12 of those across the North of Scotland – and 190 injured.
Police hope a one-of-a-kind one day training scheme, Rider Refinement North, might help riders in the North East, Highlands and Tayside stay safe.
It was launched yesterday at Inverurie by Road Policing Chief Inspector Stewart Mackie who said he hoped it would develop riders’ skills and act as a “stepping stone” for even more training.
He said: “Across Tayside, Grampian and the Highland and Islands we benefit from some of the most beautiful scenery in the country, which attracts motorcyclists both near and far to visit our area and enjoy riding their bikes.
“However, it is both a sad and shocking fact that a significant number of fatal collisions in the north area of the country involve motorcyclists.
“The Rider Refinement North course is a one-day training event we have specifically designed to give riders advice and tuition on how to ride more safely when out on the local road network.“
Although delivered by police, the scheme has been developed with Road Safety North East Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Highland, Angus and Dundee councils, Perth and Kinross Community Safety Partnership and Scottish Fire and Rescue.
Road Casualty Reduction Strategy Co-ordinator for Aberdeenshire council, Ian Wallis, said: “We are doing well with casualty reduction in the North East and our figures are as low as they have ever been. We want to sustain that.
“We know that motorcyclist casualties increase in the summer months, so this initiative can bring it to the fore.”
Community Safety team leader for Perth and Kinross council, Roddy Ross, said his authority had “seen more than its fair share” of fatal accidents.
He said: “Every year we see another biker killed in our roads. We need to address that and I’m really excited about this initiative.”
The courses will be held in Inverurie, Forfar, Perth, Elgin and Dingwall between May and October.
For more information, email operationriderrefinement@scotland.pnn.police.uk.