Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership is encouraging bikers to refresh their skills and to upskill at the start of the season by signing up for a one-day Warwickshire Bikesafe course and a Biker Down workshop.

The request follows on from a successful 'Project Edward' safety themed biker event on Sunday 2 April at Caffeine & Machine which was attended by over 120 riders.

The first BikeSafe course of the year takes place this Sunday (16 April) with courses also on Sunday 30 April, and Sunday 14 May in Leek Wootton. Spaces are limited, so anyone interested is encouraged to book a place as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

BikeSafe is a national police run motorcycle initiative that offers bikers the opportunity to spend a day learning from advanced police motorcyclists and experience a professional police observed ride with them to improve their riding skills, safety and enjoyment of riding their bike on the roads. Workshops cost £65 and cover areas including rider attitude, collision causation, cornering, positioning, overtaking, observation, braking, hazard perception and use of gears.

To book a place, please click here. When following the link, there is also an option to be added to the waiting list in preparation for further dates to be released which will be happening soon.

More information about the course is available by clicking here.

Next month, on Saturday 13 May, BikeSafe will also be at Blades Motorcycles in Stratford upon Avon where the team will be offering mini assessed rides and both BikeSafe and Biker Down will be at Rugby Bike Fest on Sunday 21 May.

The reminder to bikers comes as part of the National Police Chief Council's 2 Wheels campaign which started on Monday (10 April) and runs until Sunday 23 April, and National Fire Chief Council's Motorcycle Safety Week which took place last week. Both of these initiatives aim to improve the safety of bikers as more people take to two wheels as the weather improves.

Regional Bikesafe coordinator, Sergeant Shaun Bridle said: "The warmer weather is coming and most riders are busy preparing their motorbikes for the new season. The more skilled you are the more enjoyment you get out of your bike and the safer you are and that's why we're keen for bikers to brush up their skills and also raising awareness of the importance of progressing on to accredited post-test training."

The enjoyment and freedom a motorcycle gives is hard to match, however riders know themselves they are more likely to be seriously injured if involved in a collision.

This is why Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service is supported by partners including Warwickshire Police offers Biker Down.

Warwickshire Biker Down is a free three-hour course delivered from a Fire Station that helps give riders an awareness of what to do if they are first at the scene of a motorcycle collision.

The workshop is for new and experienced riders of all ages and is delivered alongside BikeSafe team members from Warwickshire Police. The workshop highlights what key things you can do to manage a scene, the science of being seen, and also basic first aid which involves CPR and helmet removal. Workshops are run most months and can be booked through Eventbrite.

Darren Morris, Biker Down Coordinator said: "Motorcyclists often ride out in groups and Biker Down offers bikers the opportunity to learn what to do if they are the first at the scene of a motorcycle collision. Courses like Biker Down are really important because the actions taken in the first few moments after an incident can make a real difference to the lives of those involved."

To book a Free Biker Down course please click here.

For more information about motorcycling safety, please click here.