3,000 bikers flock to Rotherham from Bikesafe Show

MOTORISTS passing through Greasbrough and Wentworth at the weekend must have suspected that the police were coming down on motor-cyclists pretty hard.

Virtually every passing biker was trailed by a police motor-cyclist.

But those in the know will realise that the often-repeated convoy of bikes had, in fact, come from the annual Bikesafe Show which this year visited Sheffield Arena.

More than 3,000 people flocked to the festival celebrating all things two-wheeled within just two hours of the gates opening on Saturday morning.

As well as the opportunity for riding novices to saddle up with a free training taster session there were stunt riders performing regular displays and numerous manufacturers’ stands featuring the latest in two-wheeled exotica.

Unlike most motorshows, however, Bikesafe is truly interactive and offered visitors the chance to saddle up on a bike of their choice and take to the road for a 45-minute ride out with an advanced police motor-cycle rider.

I took to the road with the Met’s Pc Colin Paris. He said: “It might look strange to the locals—all these bikes being followed by police—but Bikesafe has been great for building a relationship between us and the bikers.

“It’s a great event and we really enjoy coming out, meeting the public and being part of the event. Although we’re police, we are actually bikers ourselves, after all.”

More than 80 motor-cycle based traffic officers from forces across the country were involved in the weekend’s ride-outs and each rider who took part was subject to a full de-brief and assessment.

My cautious approach to life on two wheels—following my test pass in mid-April—continued on my ride out on a Honda XL700 Trans Alp, with Colin following close behind.

The bike proved a revelation, proving extremely comfortable and easy ride, while creating a jack-hammer like V-twin soundtrack as we travelled out through Kimberworth, Greasbrough, Wentworth and Thorpe Hesley.

When we returned to the Honda stand from where I had borrowed the bike I awaited Colin’s appraisal with baited breath. He said: “To say you have been riding for such a short period of time, that was a really good ride. Well done.

“We try to direct everyone to getting some advanced training and I would still say the same to you, though. It is so useful.

“Even after 14 years as a police motorcyclist, I find that every ride is different. You’re contantly learning and developing new skills as a biker so the more you learn from the experts the better.”

Central to the Bikesafe show’s appeal is the opportunity for absolute novices to get a taste of what life on two wheels might be like.

At the weekend-long event that opportunity was set up by event organisers Get On—a motorcycle industry campaign designed to attract people to biking—in conjunction with ATB Rider Training, of Darnall.

Nikki Kelly from Get On explained: “Bikesafe is the no-strings opportunity to sample biking for free, for the first time, in a safe environment.

“Our campaign is all about encouraging more people to enjoy biking and learning how to ride safely is central to that.

“We’ve had a steady flow of people taking the taster with ATB all day and it’s been great to see them approach it with a few nerves and come away with huge smiles on their faces.

“I started riding in 2004 and I still remember the feeling of going out for the first time. The sense of freedom was fantastic. That’s what biking is all about.”

For more information about the Get On campaign visit www.geton.co.uk.