There is just one remaining date: Weds 15th September 2010. There are only 60 places on each day, so book early – see: http://www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk/trackdays/events/motorcyclesafety.asp.

And if you are interested in taking part, we’re interested in talking to you about your riding career and what you’re hoping to learn from the day. Call Chris Harrison on 01452 427585.

A steady stream of bikes and riders continue until there was more than 300 bikes filling the car park and field. The variety is amazing from a 1900′s Indian and an RD350LC to to a 2009 RSV4. Whether it’s chrome or plastic, performance or comfort, on road or off road that’s floats your boat, it was there. 

Wandering round there’s as much variety in the characters as there is in the machines and we chat about bikes mainly, but the occasional biker asks for advice like “what’s the best way to get my wife on the back of my Harley”. It’s not just bikers either, there are wives, children, whole families in fact.

 I introduce myself to Steph who organises these events, she’s quite a character and wants to know all about the Rider performance day she is attending in May as she’s excited but also a little nervous.

 As the sun drops behind the houses, the raffle is drawn and the continuous flow of incoming bikes stops and bikes start to leave. I left at 10.30pm, it was a great night and an event where everyone is welcome – you don’t have to be a biker and I for one, am looking forward to the next event”.

One of our priorities is to reduce these figures and we’ll be putting up black and yellow road signs next week on key motorcycle casualty routes which ask motorists to THINK BIKE!

The signs have successfully contributed to reducing the number of collisions on signposted routes over the past two years.  On average, there has been a 55% reduction in serious injuries during the signage campaigns.

They are a striking reminder to all road users to look properly before pulling out or overtaking at all times and to remind bikers to look out for the signs and take extra care on bends and in traffic.

The routes where the THINK BIKE signs will be located are:

• A40 Northleach junction to Little Barrington
• A435 Cowley junction to Cirencester
• A433 from Tetbury to Didmarton
• A417 Hartpury to Bromesberrow
• A436 Adoversford

 The signs will be in place next week and will remain until October.

Chris, said; “I had my first bike, a Vespa, when I was 16 and a 125cc at 17 but ended up crashing both of them!  I then got my HGV licence and drove a truck for many years.  As is typical of many men my age, I bought a sports bike and, even though I was an experienced rider, I decided to get a riding qualification.  This led onto me applying for the motorcycle coordinator role.

“One of the target groups I’ll be working with are older riders, who perhaps haven’t ridden a motorbike since their youth.  They are at higher risk of accidents because  motorbikes now are much more powerful and the roads are busier. 

“But I will also be targeting young and inexperienced riders and will be going into schools and colleges to talk to young people about the dangers of riding illegally or in an anti-social way and the benefits of safety training.”Chris will become a familiar face at bike shows and festivals throughout the county and is available to give talks to groups about motorcycle and moped safety. To book a talk, please contact Chris on 01452 427585.

Following a ‘near miss’ wake up call whilst on his bike, Chris decided to undertake an advanced rider training course and passionately believes that additional training will benefit most riders. Chris will be responsible for meeting riders of powered two wheelers, and offering help and advice to keep safe on the roads. Chris can be contacted on 01452 425600.

In May, the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership, launched phase one, which included putting up signs along busy rural roads in the Forest of Dean. Now these signs, which also warn bikers to take extra care, will be moved to:

• A429 between Stow & Cirencester
• A433 between Cirencester & the county boundary near Didmarton
• A4135 between Dursley & Tetbury
• A435 between Rendcomb & Cirencester

Signs highlighting routes where drivers and riders need to take more care and be more aware will appear shortly. These are: A38 between Longford and Walton Cardiff, A48 between Minsterworth and Lydney, A417 between Maisemore and Bromesberrow, and the A40 between Elmbridge Court and Over.