Motorcyclists encouraged to sign up for safety sessions

Participant Paul Williams hopes to become a "blood biker"

Participants of a motorcycle safety class have asked "why wouldn't you" join one, given that doing so can save either your life or that of somebody else.

From April 2019 to April 2024, there were 677 collisions involving motorcycles within Cumbria, of which 23 were fatal, Cumbria Fire and Rescue said.

With such a large number of accidents involving motorcycles, the Cumbria Road Safety Partnership said it felt the need to bring back safety sessions which had not been available to the public since 2018.

Safety sessions have been arranged in Penrith on Sunday, and in Ulverston on Thursday 30 May.

Paul Williams, from Ulverston, took part in a previous session and said it was "fantastic".

He said he was a relatively new rider, having passed his test four-and-a-half years ago.

He said he was hoping to eventually pass an advanced motorcycle test and become a "blood biker", supporting the NHS by quickly transporting blood supplies to where they are needed.

Of the course, Mr Williams said: "I went into it thinking that if I came away with one thing I'd learned, that made me more useful at a road traffic collision or something, then it was a benefit.

"And I certainly came away with more than one thing on the day."

Participants also learned first aid which they could use if they came across a collision

The sessions, run by Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, cover advanced riding, first aid, and scene safety at a collision.

"The rural nature of the roads in Cumbria means it is not always a quick process to get emergency services on scene," a spokesperson for Cumbria Fire and Rescue said.

"Having the knowledge and skills to apply in a road traffic collision event could ultimately save a person's life."

A delegate from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents then takes each participant out on a ride to observe their capability and suggest improvements for safer riding.