Norfolk - 36 per cent of all fatalities are bike-related.

Council issue plea over surge in bike deaths

Shocking new figures show that motorcyclists make up 36pc of all road deaths in Norfolk so far this year - despite making up only 1pc of traffic.

NORFOLK COUNTY Council have issued a plea for all bikers to take extra care after new figures revealed 36 per cent of all fatalities on the county's roads are bike-related.

Despite making up just 1 per cent of Norfolk's traffic, so far this year there have been 33 road deaths in Norfolk of which 12 were motorcyclists.

Norfolk County Council's road safety officer Andy Micklethwaite said: “With milder winters and indifferent summers, the pattern of motorcycle use seems to be changing. Riders are more inclined to tax their bikes for the whole year and ride them whenever the weather is fair. Fewer bikes are being garaged for the winter and this has resulted in motorcycle crashes being spread over more of the year. I would urge motorcyclists to take extra care particularly as the weather appears to be turning much colder this weekend. They need to stay alert, take extra care and ride defensively.”

Ex-bike cop Micklethwaite, who has 24 years of road policing experience, is the driving force behind a campaign which aims to raise driver awareness of motorcyclists, but also calls upon motorcycle riders to improve their own standards. Anyone interested in learning about how to imrove their riding skills should call 01603 638115.

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