Motorcyclists urged over safety

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Motorcyclists are being encouraged to improve their skills by police across Wales as good weather draws more riders out onto the roads.

The Wales-wide BikeSafe Cymru campaign, being launched in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, follows four fatal motorcycle crashes within a week.

Police experts are offering advice and the chance to go out on an assessed ride in a bid to reduce casualties.

They said they are "not trying to make it less fun, just safer".

The launch comes in a week after four motorcyclists died on Welsh roads.

Pc Dorien Evans said the half-hour assessed rides from Abergavenny Bus Station could make a real difference.

Don't aim to be the fastest rider - aim to be the oldest! Pc Dorien Evans

"We all think we can ride well and drive well, but sometimes you need someone to draw attention to bad habits you may have got into," he said.

"At this time of year, it is inevitable that good weather brings out more motorcyclists and that tends to equate to more collisions and we know how vulnerable you can be on a motorcycle.

RECENT MOTORCYCLE CRASHES 13 April: Man killed in crash with car on A467 at Crumlin12 April: Man, 19, dies after crash on Llangollen Road, Wrexham9 April: Man, 46, dies on A458 at Cefn Bridge near Welshpool9 April: Man, 34, killed on A458 west of Welshpool

"Motorcycling is an enjoyable past-time - we are not trying to make it less fun, but just safer. You can do both.

"Someone told me a while ago: "Don't aim to be the fastest rider - aim to be the oldest!".

Pc Evans added that it was the first time the initiative had been launched in the Gwent force area and that organisers had tried to attract more people by bringing in stands from manufacturers and retailers to make "a mini-motorcycle show".

Riders can also sign up to a series of two-day rider skill workshops at venues including Carmarthen, Colwyn Bay, Cardiff, Cwmbran, Llandrindod Wells and Swansea throughout the year.