Death of motorcyclist a tragic reminder as safety campaign launched in North Yorkshire (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Death of motorcyclist a tragic reminder as safety campaign launched in North Yorkshire

1:12pm Monday 18th March 2013 in News By Janet Gleeson

THE death of another motorcyclist on North Yorkshires roads has served as a tragic introduction to a new safety campaign.

Since 2002, 140 riders have been killed in the county, and although numbers have dropped in the past two years, campaigners say the statistics are still too high.

The latest death came on Sunday, when a 60-year-old man was killed on the A59 between Harrogate and Skipton.

He came off his bike as he travelled behind a silver Mercedes which had stopped for a blue Ford Focus waiting to turn right. The rider, who has not been formally identified, was struck by a Land Rover Freelander travelling in the opposite direction.

Investigations are still continuing into how the crash happened, but it came as the 95 Alive Road Safety Partnership launched its latest campaign to coincide with the start of the county's biking season.

As DVDs were released, highlighting biking blackspots, Assistant Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police, Iain Spittal said: "Although there has been a reduction in deaths over the past couple of years there are still too many serious collisions involving motorbikes on our roads and we are determined to get the figures down.

"Most bikers are responsible riders, but there are people out there who don't heed the warnings."

In 2012, five motorcyclists were killed, compared to nine in 2011 and 20 in 2010. Last year, more than 100 riders were seriously injured.

"North Yorkshire is a very popular destination within the biking community and we are more than happy to welcome motorcyclists who want to use the fantastic routes we have here," said Mr Spittall. "What we don't welcome is people who ride irresponsibly and put their own and the lives of other road users at risk."

The bike safety DVDs cover the A170 between Thirsk and Scarborough and the A65 Ingleton to Skipton, similar ones produced last year cover the B1257 from Helmsley to Stokesley and the B1222 from Sherburn to Stillingfleet.

For more information go to www.nyrides.co.uk .