Posted: Thursday 15 August 2019, 11:03
A road safety campaign known as Biker Down which was launched earlier this year will host Derbyshire’s next Chief Fire Officer, Gavin Tomlinson (currently Deputy Chief Fire Officer), as he visits Ascot Drive Fire Station this weekend for the latest road safety training session.
Biker Down, which is running in conjunction with Derbyshire Constabulary’s UpRight campaign, is a national initiative that aims to reduce the number of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions through education and awareness.
Since its launch earlier this year, sessions have proved extremely popular, with all of the previous five sessions being fully booked up. The Service is hosting another seven scheduled sessions this year, starting with Saturday’s at Ascot Drive Fire Station, which is now also fully booked.
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Gavin Tomlinson said: “In 2018, there was 11 fatal accidents on Derbyshire’s roads involving motorbikes. Biker Down aims to provide education to road users and help prevent further loss of life, or serious injury.
“By educating motorcyclists about the importance of being seen on the road, as well as giving them a basic knowledge of trauma care and accident scene management, we aim to reduce the number of fatal and serious collisions on our roads, as well as giving people the best possible chance of survival."
Up to 20 participants can register for each Biker Down course. Courses will continue to be delivered at various locations across Derbyshire including:
Remaining Biker Down courses in 2019:
- Joint Training Centre, Ripley, 6th Sept (Fully booked).
- Glossop Fire Station, 10th Sept (18:00-21:00).
- Ascot Drive Fire Station, 1st Oct (18:00-21:00).
- Derby Kawasaki, Borrowash, 12th Oct (11:00-14:00).
- Ashbourne Fire Station, 24th Oct (18:00-21:00).
- Chesterfield Fire Station, 11th Nov (18:00-21:00).
These will be advertised via Biker Down’s social media accounts. To enquire or register for a Biker Down course, email bikerdown@derbys-fire.gov.uk
To view all upcoming courses and to find out everything the Biker Down team are up to, find them on social media here:
Biker Down:
Facebook: @BikerDownDerbyshire
Twitter: @Down_Biker
Instagram: @bikerdownderbyshire
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service:
Facebook: @DerbyshireFRS
Twitter: @DerbyshireFRS
Instagram: @derbyshirefrs
Note to Editors/Reporters
To arrange an interview or to cover Saturday’s Biker Down course being held at Ascot Drive Fire Station from 10:00am-1:00pm, please contact Tommy Lee on 01773 305408 alternatively email tlee@derbys-fire.gov.uk