TV duo back bike initiative

Last updated 12:33, Saturday, 03 May 2008

HAIRY bikers Dave Myers and Si King are supporting an innovative scheme to slash the number of motorcycle deaths and serious injuries on Cumbria’s roads.

Dave Myers, left and Si King are backing the ride safe message

The stars of TV show The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook say they are right behind the initiative, which sees napkins at roadside burger vans and cafes emblazoned with hard hitting safety messages.

Roadsides being targeted include the A592, which starts in Penrith.

Mr Myers said: “I think they should target car drivers, too, and make them more bike aware. Me and Si say when we arrive at our destination that we are only there because we have been careful.

“Anything that makes road users, bikes or car drivers more aware of safety issues can only be a good thing.”

It is hoped the campaign will prevent a repeat of last April when five bikers and one pillion passenger were killed within two weeks on the county’s roads.

In 2006, a motorbike was 13 times more likely to be in a fatal accident than a car for every kilometre travelled.