Biker Down passes the 2,000 mark

Over 2,000 people have attended Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s free Biker Down educational course since its launch five years ago.

Biker Down is a free training course for motorcyclists of all ages and experience – and is run by bikers for bikers providing vital information on how to keep themselves and other bikers safe. Attendees also learn about being seen, how to deal with a casualty at the scene of a crash, how to remove a motorcycle helmet safely as well as how to use a defibrillator.

The course offers motorcyclists the chance to learn practical skills to help avoid being involved in a crash, as well as essential first-aid training and advice on what to do should they find themselves first on the scene of a crash where someone is injured.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Fire Bike Team have so far delivered 78 courses and have raised £6,000 for North West Air Ambulance in the process.

Road Safety Manager Andy Gray said: “Motorcyclists are far more vulnerable than car, van and lorry drivers, 1% of road traffic is comprised of motorcyclists, yet they are 45 times more likely to be involved in a serious accident. This course offers the chance to learn practical skills to lessen the chances of being involved in a crash. We want people to enjoy riding their bikes on our roads but we also want them to be safe. We hope that by educating and informing bikers about the possible dangers on our roads, we can help them be avoided.”

The next Biker Down courses are taking place on: 

• Sunday 21st July at Safety Central in Lymm, 12pm until 4pm
• Sunday 13th October at Safety Central in Lymm, 12pm until 4pm
•  Sunday 10th November at Safety Central in Lymm, 12pm until 4pm
•  Sunday 8th December at Safety Central in Lymm, 12pm until 4pm

Places are limited, so please book a place on the course by emailing bikerdown@cheshirefire.gov.uk 

For more information about Biker Down visit www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/public-safety/road-safety/biker-down.