FIREFIGHTERS at Huntingdon Fire Station are holding a free BikeSafe event on Sunday to welcome the start of the British motorbike season – a high-risk time for accidents, particularly after a long winter. The event, held from 10am to 4pm, is being held in

FIREFIGHTERS at Huntingdon Fire Station are holding a free BikeSafe event on Sunday to welcome the start of the British motorbike season - a high-risk time for accidents, particularly after a long winter.

The event, held from 10am to 4pm, is being held in conjunction with the Think Bike and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Road Safety Partnership.

Pete Ashby, a firefighter on White Watch, which is staging the event, said: "It's a sad fact that motorcyclists are 57 times more likely to be seriously injured or killed in a road traffic collision than a car driver.

"I'm a motorcyclist myself and so are three other firefighters on my watch. As firefighters who regularly attend road traffic collisions involving motorcyclists, we are well aware of the risks, however, we've clocked up 80 years of safe biking between us.

"We want to let bikers know that they can still have fun on a motorbike while taking steps to manage and reduce their own personal risk."

The event will be held from 10am to 4pm and promises to be a must-attend event for any biker, mixing important safety messages with the many fun and social aspects of biking.

Free motorbike safety checks will be on offer at the event, as well as the chance to sign up to a motorbike safety course. There will also be a display by the Peterborough Panthers, as well as a barbecue and refreshments.

The event has already been supported by bike companies and organisations who will be there on the day, including Paul Nobbs Motorcycles, CAMRider, Hein Gericke, Magpas (the medics volunteer emergency service), Peterborough Panthers, St Neots Motorcycles, UFO Huntingdon, Ultimate Bike Clothing, Kawasaki (Peterborough) and Advanced Riding Groups.

Pete said: "A lot of riders put their bikes away for the winter, but don't appreciate how much the bike can deteriorate when it's not in use. A thorough check is essential before you start using your bike again. In particular, pay attention to the brake fluid, which should be changed regularly, and the tyres, which can deteriorate at an alarming rate.

"Historically, lots of fatal and seriously injury collisions take place early in the biking calendar. This may suggest that skills are still rusty following a long winter break. It may take a few weeks back in the saddle to resume a competent skill level and even longer to recover the skill attained at the end of last years riding season.

"Remember that riding, while giving an extremely high level of pleasure, is still a vulnerable activity and comes with great responsibility. Think of your quality of life and how easily it could be destroyed, not to mention the people around you that need you to come home safe."

INFORMATION: Free entry. To find out more about the BikeSafe event, call 01480 445800. For more top tips for safe spring riding, visit www.cambsfire.gov.uk