29.07.10 Hempsted Motorcycle Festival returns to Hempsted Meadows, Gloucester on 14^th and 15^th August, and promises to be even bigger and better this year.

Open between 10am and 5pm, it promises to be fun for all the family and family discounts are available on the door. There will be stunt trials displays, quad bike demos and the chance to meet the TAG Triumph Race team – there’s nowhere better for big thrills on two wheels.

The Road Safety Partnership will be there so why not come along and chat to us about training opportunities and circuit based rider improvement days. We’ll also be giving away our THINK BIKE car stickers and bike pucks.

We’ll even be offering free of charge accompanied ride outs on the day with Police or advance riders (depending on availability), so we do hope to see you there.

20.07.10  Anyone over the age of 9 years will be able to learn new skills or brush up on old ones at any of three summer cycling courses starting at the end of July.

Gloucestershire’s Road Safety Partnership has organised the courses at three locations.  The courses take place over 3 days between 10am and 12 noon from 26^th to 28^th July at Minchinhampton School and from 2^nd to 4^th August at Cheltenham and Gloucester fire stations.

The cost of the course is £6 each and anyone over 9 years old and with a roadworthy bicycle can take part.  Bookings must be made in advance.

Councillor Stan Waddington, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “It is so important to have cycling skills and road awareness before riding on the road. 

“Many families will be out cycling together over the summer holidays and we want them to be able to cycle confidently and safely.”

Riders will be taken out on the roads in groups of 3 and will be matched up on abilities beforehand. If parents want their children to come, they can book on too and will be taught how best to ride as a family.

The cycling scheme’s aim is to enable riders to:

• Know how to identify faults on their bike that affect their safety, and understand the need for the bike to be well maintained.
• Be able to ride their bike under full control when looking behind, manoeuvring, starting, stopping and signaling.
• Be aware of other road users and learn how to cycle on road in a variety of traffic situations.
• Be able to recognise potential hazards and to take action to avoid them.
• Understand the benefits of lights, reflectors, high-visibility clothing and helmets.

To book a place on the summer cycling course, or for more information call the Road Safety Partnership on 01452 425600 

13.07.10  The Road Safety Partnership will launch a range of web based tools and resources for pre-schools, schools, colleges and voluntary groups shortly. The resources will be available on our website, please keep visiting for more details. If you need any information or facts sheets in the meantime, please contact us.

13.07.10 Two of Gloucestershire County Council’s top managers have been sharing their experiences and passion for motorcycling. Deputy Chief Executive Peter Jones and Group Director Duncan Jordan are filmed ‘Talking Motorcycles’; sharing memories of their early riding days, what they used to wear and how they got on with training.

They also discuss how motorcycling has changed over the years, with the differences in clothing, bike size and power, and how track days and training can help riders to keep their skills up to date, and hopefully, out of trouble. See the film on YouTube.