BikeSafe event a hit

The national BikeSafe event was a massive success at the weekend with thousands of people turning out at Cheltenham racecourse to take advantage of the free assessment rides.

The event was organised to promote the national BikeSafe training programme and was such a success that organisers say it will definitely be back next year.

As well as free 30 minute assessed rides with police motorcycle instructors there was loads of stuff to do including the chance to see all the latest bikes from the top manufacturers.

Inspector Paul Morrissey of Gloucestershire police organised the event and was amazed by the response it got from people.

“We had 60 police instructors doing the assessed rides and there were so many people wanting to go out that we had to draft in some IAM and RoSPA instructors to cope with demand.

“Every person I spoke to at the weekend was saying how impressed they were with the whole event and all the exhibitors promised to be back next year with a much larger presence.”

Nearly 1000 people went out on the 30 minute police ride and many of them came back wanting to sign up for the full training course.

The event also saw Honda running a ‘my first licence scheme’ which let children under 16 try mini bikes prepared with a remote cut-out safety switch. The kids had to do a small test but got to walk away with a mock photocard license with their name and photo on it.

Durham police drew the most attention with the PoliceBlade, a fully dressed up police Fireblade, and a tricked up Triumph Daytona and Monkey bike both in matching paint.

Click here for more information on the BikeSafe scheme