Stay safe and check machines, bikers told

Although motorbikes account for just one per cent of total road traffic, they make up 18 per cent of all road user deaths across the country.

In South Yorkshire alone there were 67 motorcyclists killed or seriously injured in 2010.

As the weather improves following the winter months, the number of motorcyclists out on the roads starts to increase.

As a result, the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership - made up of organisations including the police and fire service - is urging bikers to check their bike and equipment to make sure that it is safe and legal before heading out on the road.

Superintendent Eddie Murphy from South Yorkshire Police said: “For many riders, motorcycling is not a year-round activity and a number of people tend to bring their bikes out at the end of the winter months as the weather conditions improve.

“In addition to carrying out essential checks to make sure that their bike, helmet and other equipment is safe, legal and roadworthy, bikers should also remember that they may not have ridden for a few months and that they may want to consider booking some training such as the BikeSafe workshops run by South Yorkshire Police.

“As weather improves, the local authorities will be dealing with the effects that winter weather has on our roads.

“I know that problems such as certain road surfaces can be an issue for bikers and if you have concerns about particular roads please report them via your city or borough council website.

“We all know that bikes are much smaller than cars and if you’re not expecting to see a bike, you may not until it’s too late.

“As the number of bikes increases with improving weather towards spring, I would urge all road users to think bike and help make South Yorkshire roads safer.”