Force receives high performance motorbike

A HIGH performance motorbike will be used to help promote road safety in Cambridgeshire.

The Ducati Multistrada 1200S, worth £16,000, was donated by Highways England, in partnership with Ducati UK, to BikeSafe for use in promoting motorcycle safety and BikeSafe workshops.

The bike will be with the force for three years and serviced for free by Ducati Cambridge.

BikeSafe is a police-led motorcycle project run by most forces throughout the UK. The main aim is to reduce the number of bikers killed or seriously injured on the roads.

The workshops explore the main riding hazards bikers face. It provides motorcyclists with further training around defensive riding skills to help improve their performance. This is done through theory presentations and observed rides.

PC Simon Burgin from Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH) Road Policing Unit said: “We are so grateful to Highways England and Ducati UK for this gift.

“Ducati is a well-known name among bikers and the bike will really help raise the profile of the BikeSafe courses and will be used on the observed rides.

“Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users and this is why they need to take responsibility for their own safety. Last year four motorcyclists were killed and 47 seriously injured on Cambridgeshire roads.

“You can never be too good and I encourage all motorcyclists to continue to train throughout their riding years and not just stop once they have passed their bike test.”

Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire motorcyclists can benefit by joining the BikeSafe scheme on Saturday June 17 at Cambridgeshire police headquarters, Hinchingbrooke Park, Huntingdon.

The day includes refreshments, lunch, a goody bag and a one-on-one ride with an advanced police rider.

For further information go to http://www.bikesafe.co.uk/ to register interest.