Motorists are being urged to take a second look for motorbikes after it was revealed that more than half of biker collisions on North East roads have resulted in riders being killed or seriously injured.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service have joined forces with local authority campaign group Road Safety GB North East (RSGB NE) along with bikers and the police from across the region, in helping to launch the ‘Life on a Bike’ campaign to demonstrate the enormous risks and to remind road-users to slow down and look out for each other.

A number of bikers have contributed to the emotive campaign in a bid to illustrate the huge impact road collisions have, not only on the people directly involved, but their wider families, friends and work colleagues.

The Life on a Bike campaign aims to show that bikers do much more than ride bikes, giving insight into their family lives and interests.

Group Manager Steve Thomas, Head of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service’s Prevention and Education team, said: “It’s all about respecting our fellow road users and making sure that we keep within the law; as trying to make our roads a safer place is always our end goal.”

Peter Slater, Chair of RSGB NE, said during the last five years (2019 – 2023), there had been 1,501 biker collisions on the region’s roads, with 57 motorcyclists killed, 755 seriously injured, and 689 slightly injured.

A large percentage were caused by a failure to look, by either the biker or drivers, or because the motorcyclist lost control of the bike.

“Nobody goes out with the intention of being involved in a road collision, but too often collisions occur that could so easily have been avoided,” said Peter.

“Bikers are vulnerable, so we see high fatality and injury rates, and nobody wants that on their conscience.

“We are appealing to drivers to take a second look for bikes – it could save a life. And we need bikers to slow down, to ride for the conditions and the roads, and to scan the road ahead for hazards. It sounds odd, but they need to prepare for what other road users might do.”

With the help of some of the region’s bikers, RSGB NE has produced social media videos to highlight common risks and promote safety advice to help keep bikers safe.

Biker Mandy Burns, 53, from Sunderland, who has worked at Nissan for 36 years, loves nothing more than getting out on her bike with her husband Rob. She said: “I’ve been riding for 32 years and the best advice I can give to any biker is to ride defensively and to get some advanced training to help you understand things like road position, reading the road and having a relaxed posture.

‘I’m passionate about this campaign. Riding motorcycles for fun, touring Europe and commuting on my bike is so important to me, but I want to stay safe, and I want drivers to take a second look for bikes. It’s so important for everyone to watch out for each other.”

The latest figures show that more than half of motorcyclist casualties were aged under 35, with a third aged between 16 and 24.

Sergeant Steve Armstrong, of Northumbria Police’s Motorcycle Unit, said: “Everyone has a vital role to play in keeping all road users safe – especially those who may be more at risk of serious injury or harm, such as motorbike riders. Please take extra care and remember to look twice and think bike.”

For more information about Road Safety GB North East, road safety advice and campaigns, go to https://www.lookoutroadsafety.co.uk.