New motorbike to boost Isle of Man road safety campaign

A new Fire & Rescue Service motorbike has been unveiled which will be used to cut rider accidents on the island.

The privately donated FireBike12 will be ridden to popular motorcycle meeting points and used to engage local and visiting riders.

The Kawasaki ZX10R 1000cc has been fitted out in Fire Service livery and will be used during the TT fortnight.

Chief Fire Officer Brian Draper said it was a fantastic new resource which incurred no costs to the service.

Last week the service announced it must save £221,200 over the next 12 months.

'Safer place for everyone'

The bike will be ridden by firemen qualified to Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) standards, including officers who have competed in the TT Races and Manx Grand Prix.

Mr Draper said: "They will use their experience, both as motorcycle enthusiasts and as firefighters who have attended serious road traffic collisions, to promote discussion around key road safety issues."

IAM's Chris Roughley said: "We we want to cut the number of road accidents but keep the fun factor in riding a motorcycle.

"Riding a bike is about enjoyment, but we don't want to see deaths and serious injury due to mistakes."

Jason Griffiths, who owns a motorbike garage in Castletown, supplied the motorcycle. He said: "The Isle of Man is synonymous with bikes and hopefully this campaign can help make it a safer place for everyone."