By Chris Story

Last updated 15:16, Friday, 24 October 2008

The success of a police motor cycle safety course in Cumbria has been measured with new figures showing nearly 200 riders who took part have avoided serious accidents.

• Video: the police explain their Bike Safe campaign

Constable Paul Owens, of North Roads Policing Unit

They took part in the Bike Safe programme, which aims to improve safety awareness and cut the number of casualties on the county’s roads.

The man behind the scheme believes it is having a real impact with 104 taking part this year, on top of 82 the year before.

Police motorcyclist PC Paul Owen said: “Out of everyone who has gone on a Bike Safe course in the past two years, nobody has been involved in a serious road traffic collision.

“In fact, out of those for this year, nobody has been involved in any collision where there has been an injury.

“That suggests to me that it must be working.

“I would encourage any motorcyclist who has passed their test to do the course then go on and do some more training with the Institute of Advanced Motorists, ROSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) or a motorcycle instructor.

“It does not matter what type of bike you ride or how long you have been riding.

“You might not think you need training, but, believe me, you probably do.

“Nobody is a perfect rider. Even I still make little mistakes, but as long as I can learn from them it can only be a good thing and hopefully make journeys safer.”

PC Owen, 44, has been riding motorbikes since he was 17. He has been a policeman for 21 years – 18 of those in road policing – and a police motorcyclist for five years.

He is the regional coordinator for Bike Safe, helping with courses from Cumbria to Greater Manchester, and has this summer helped train bikers in Carlisle, Workington, Kendal and Ulverston.

The course involves two two-hour evening lectures then a rideout, lasting about an hour, in which PC Owen will give tips on how bikers can improve skills on the road and make themselves safer.

On the practice ground, they are taught how to control bikes properly at slow speeds.

As well as teaching the proper way to corner, overtake, accelerate and brake, instructors work to improve awareness and hazard perception.

“On a bike you are so vulnerable to other road users. It might not be your fault if your are involved in an accident,” PC Owen said.

“The trend of accidents this year involving motorcyclists is that a lot have been because of people pulling out in front of them.

“It is worrying that these accidents are becoming more prevalent. But it is no good saying ‘it was no my fault’. You can do something to advance the motorcyclists’ abilities to do something, such as checking position or having some sort of plan if the vehicle pulls out.”

The type of skills are the same taught to police motorcyclists and although they are not training students to do that job, organisers hope the course will set them in the right direction.

Since the scheme started running in Cumbria eight years ago, instructors have helped train all manner of bikers – from young rookies who have passed their test to those in their 70s who have been motorcycling for 50 years.

The police’s work in Cumbria is supported by volunteers from the Institute of Advanced motorists.

Those who take part in Bike Safe will ideally have been passed their test and have a bike powered 125cc or over, capable of reaching the national speed limit.

Courses will run again in Cumbria between Easter and September next year and are free to those who live in the county. Places are limited.

In 2007, 11 motorcyclists were killed on Cumbria’s roads.

For more information on Bike Safe go to www.bikesafe.co.uk.