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RIDEWELL - Teesside's biggest biking event - now one of the largest in the country - is back on the motorcycling calendar on  Sunday, July 6th, following last year's washout by the disastrous summer weather.
Cleveland Police, joint organisers with Stockton Borough Council, who host the event in the grounds of Preston Hall and Museum at Eaglescliffe, are hoping that the rider - and driver - development and education programmes linked to Ridewell will continue to help reduce Teesside's biker casualty toll.
One of the Ridewell co-ordinators, Sergeant Nick Walker - who is also head of the force motorcycle section - says the number of motorcycling fatalities in the force area has plunged in the nine years since Ridewell's inception; from eight in 1999 to two last year, although he will never be satisfied until that figure is reduced to zero.
Nick said: "Of course there are other factors in play and we would never wish to tempt fate, but all involved in Ridewell and its linked programme of observed rideouts, in which bikers have their skills assessed and are given one-to-one advice from one of our Bike Section Team, convinces me that the event has played a significant role in this reduction." He said that the number of biker casualties in the late 1990s was totally disproportionate to the number of motorcyclists on Teesside's roads - a matter of major concern to all involved in road safety in the area.
He added: "We are sure that the Ridewell experience has raised bike safety awareness, not only in the biking community but also among other road users - which is why one of our Ridewell projects involves giving car drivers the opportunity of observed car drives from members of the Forces Road Policing Unit, aimed specifically at making them more aware of two wheeled traffic."
The observed motorcycle ride schedule on Ridewell day always ends up booked to capacity so Nick urges: "Book early". This can be done now by e-mailing observedrides@cleveland.pnn.police.uk or call 01642 301574 stating your wish to take part in a ‘Ridewell Event' observed ride. To add extra interest, there are some super prizes for those who come out top of the class.
But Nick stresses, "While Ridewell has its serious side, it is also a day out full of bike related fun, interest and pleasure with an arm-long list of motorcycling activities, displays, attractions and competitions." With the final line-up yet to be completed these already include a visit by the Rob Mac Racing Yamaha British Superbike racing team, the Vertical Brits stunt team, the ever popular Ridewell Trials Trophy competition along with a catalogue of emergency service displays, trade and club stands including Winn Solicitors who are one of this year's major sponsors of the event. Add to this live music and fairground rides, and there will literally be something for everyone. An interest for car drivers has been added with the support of Simon Bailes - Peugeot, who are supplying cars for Class One Advanced Road Policing Officers to give demonstration drives to motorists, in an effort to assist them in becoming more aware of motorcycles and the hazards associated with bikes.
Nick said: "All we need for a record attendance this year is some decent weather. Last year's never ending rain was a disaster for us and all kinds of other events. We can only work on the basis that it cannot possibly be like that two years running." http://www.cleveland.police.uk/ |
