Police to host Facebook chat event on motorcycle safety

19th April 2014

Police Scotland, Highland and Islands Division are hosting a Facebook chat event on Tuesday 22 April 2014 on the topic of motorcycle safety.

The evening, which will run between 18:00 hours and 19:30 hours will be facilitated by Acting Sergeant Alistair Mcbean, an Advanced Police Driving and Motorcycle Instructor, based in the Divisional Road Policing Unit in Dingwall. The aim is to raise awareness on motorcycle safety and, ultimately, keep riders safe in the Highlands and Islands.

Sergeant Mcbean said: "We have been delighted with how previous chat events have been received by the public on our Facebook page in the past so I hope that members of the riding community and all other road users use this as an opportunity to ask any questions they have on the subject.”

The event is happening less than a week from the launch of national operation ‘Zenith', which is running between 17 April and 28 September 2014. Its focus is improving riding behaviour, in particular the contributory factors which result in riders being killed or seriously injured.

Divisional Road Policing Unit Inspector Neil Lumsden said: "Twelve motorcyclists died as a result of road traffic collisions in the Highlands and Islands Division between 2012 and 2013 and we deal with more killed or seriously injured motorcycle collisions than any other Division in Scotland. We are keen to raise awareness of the vulnerability of this group of road users, both to motorcyclists and to other road users.”

"One death is one too many and by adopting this educational and interactive approach, through Facebook and patrols we hope to reduce the number of collisions and keep motorists safe. We are keen for bikers to enjoy the opportunities offered by the roads in the Highlands and Islands, but ask that this is done in a manner which does not put riders or other road users at risk of injury.”

The chat event is being virtually held on the Police Scotland Highland and Islands Facebook page (Police Scotland Highland and Islands Divisonal Facebook page) between 18:00 and 19:30 hours on Tuesday.