Refresh your biker skills in 2018

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging motorcyclists to refresh their riding skills and attend a Biker Down course in 2018.

Biker Down is a free training course for motorcyclists of all ages and experience – and is run by bikers for bikers.

It 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.

Two recent attendees, Kathryn and Guy Morton, put their skills to good use when they came across a motorcycle collision involving two bikes on the M6.

With one of the riders finding himself in a four foot ditch, Kathryn took control of the situation following the training she gained on the Biker Down course.

Kathryn Morton said: “I checked the motorcyclist was conscious and breathing, and made sure the bike was put back into its vertical position without having to move the casualty. He was very distressed, and desperate to remove his helmet. Although not ideal, I convinced him to let us help him remove his helmet safely, while carefully supporting his neck and head – using the method taught on the course.”

Kathryn stayed with the casualty reassuring him and minimising his attempts to move his head until the paramedics arrived on the scene. Paramedics then took control but they needed the bikers’ assistance to safely remove the injured man from the ditch to the ambulance.

Kathryn added: “A few days later we learned the casualty had suffered serious injuries but thankfully was in a good position to recover fully.”

The course has also recently enjoyed by three generations of woman, with the eldest in the family being 90 at the time she took part and thought the course was excellent.

Another group to take part on the course was a team of Occupational Therapists from Bury, their line of work takes them out onto the busy roads on a daily basis and all thoroughly recommend the course.

Colin Heyes, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Services Road Safety Manager said: “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.

“Riders’ skills can fade considerably after a few months off their bike. The Biker Down course will equip riders with the necessary skills and knowledge to keep them safe on the roads. I fully encourage bikers to attend this free course, and refresh their skills before the motorcycle season begins in the spring.”

The next Biker Down courses are taking place on:
•Sunday 28th January at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters in Winsford, 12pm until 4pm
•Sunday 25th February at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters in Winsford, 12pm until 4pm

Places are limited, so please book a place on the course by sending an email to bikerdown@cheshirefire.gov.uk

For more information about Biker Down visit our website – http://www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/public-safety/road-safety/biker-down