http://www.aroundthecorner.org.uk/index.php en Copyright 2008 2008-03-06T20:34:00+00:00 http://www.aroundthecorner.org.uk/index.php/pages/newsroom/lothian_and_borders_launch_motorbike_campaign/ http://www.aroundthecorner.org.uk/index.php/pages/newsroom/lothian_and_borders_launch_motorbike_campaign/#When:20:34:00Z Lothian and Borders Police will be launching "What's around the corner?", the innovative motorbike safety campaign at this year's Scottish Motorcycle Show on Saturday 8 March. What's around the corner is a proactive motorbike campaign for the Scottish Borders. Police motorcyclists will be interacting with leisure bikers over the summer to provide them with information about the Borders roads to help them have a safe ride. Working in partnership with Knockhill Racing Circuit, Eastern and Western Motor Group and the Scottish Borders Council, the ultimate goal is to reduce the amount of collisions and the severity of any injuries. In 2007, five people were killed in biking collisions and a further 16 were seriously injured, all in the Borders region. Two routes heavily used by bikers have been identified, they've been assessed by police motorcyclists and their advice has been included on special route plans, which will direct bikers through recognised accident areas. The routes can be downloaded from the campaign website and they show where the dangers are and where crashes have occurred in the past. On the website, bikers can view the routes as they have been filmed by the advanced police motorcyclists whilst out on the runs. Speaking ahead of the launch, British Supersport Rider, Dennis Hobbs gave his thumbs up to the campaign and said: "Bikers must be well prepared before going out on a run, make sure your motorcycle is in good condition, make sure your skills haven't gone rusty over the winter. I've learnt through years of experience how to read a track and the same skills can be used on a road, which is far more likely to change." Bob Grant of Grant Racing added: "Knowing what lies ahead is the only way to stay safe. Even if you know a road particularly well, it may well have changed. You never know what is around the corner. You can only avoid a danger if you give yourself time to react. Remember: enjoy yourself and stay safe." Chief Constable David Strang of Lothian And Borders Police said: "Year on year the amount of bikers injuring themselves is not decreasing. The desire for a road safety campaign aimed at bikers in the Scottish Borders has been borne out of the need to ensure bikers are aware of the dangers on the roads and to prevent as many future collisions as possible." Chief Inspector Sandy Allan of Road Policing said: "Despite bikers only representing 1% of the traffic on our roads they account for 25% of the collisions; there is a greater chance that a biker will be killed or seriously injured compared to a car driver. A great deal of crashes involve only one vehicle and they happen on bends. Our message is simple: enjoy what the Borders have to offer but recognise your own ability and read the road." 2008-03-06T20:34:00+00:00 http://www.aroundthecorner.org.uk/index.php/pages/newsroom/activity_day/ http://www.aroundthecorner.org.uk/index.php/pages/newsroom/activity_day/#When:08:21:01Z Following on closely from the launch of the "What’s Around the Corner Campaign" by John Reynolds at the Scottish Motorcycle Show at Ingliston. Lothian and Borders Roads Policing Branch, Road Safety Branch and Safety Camera Partnership will be having its first activity day. The focus of the day will be to provide information to bikers about the Borders roads to help them have a safe ride. Two routes especially have been identified, The Reviers Run on the A7 and The 7s Trail on the A708. The routes can be downloaded from the campaign website ­ http://www.aroundthecorner.org.uk and they show where the dangers are and where crashes have occurred in the past. Chief Inspector Sandy Allan of Road Policing said: “Easter Sunday sees the operational launch of our summer bike initative in the Scottish Borders. Despite there being far fewer bikers on the Borders Roads than cars there is a greater chance that a biker will be killed or seriously injured this summer based on previous statistics. The that end we have looked at areas where previous incidents have occurred and created two biking routes. These routes feature especially created maps which can be found on our website. We want bikers to come to the Borders this summer, enjoy the roads and scenery ­ but return home safely. Our route maps highlight specific bends and other hazards which, in the past, caught bikers out. In association with Borders Council, we have arranged for specific signage to be placed at strategic points to give additional warning to all. The whole campaign is designed to inform and educate the bikers who visit the area, to improve their riding skills and road craft. Our police bikers, Road Safety Staff and Safety Camera Team will be available most weekends somewhere on these routes throughout the summer. The campaign is not about enforcement, the emphasis will be on keeping bikers safe through interaction and education. This Sunday we will be at the Glen Café, St Mary’s Loch giving out our maps and other goodies whilst taking the opportunity to talk to bikers. Our message is simple; Enjoy what the Borders have to offer but recognise your own ability and read the road. Think about our slogan ­ Do you know what’s around the corner - keep this in mind and stay safe” 2008-02-09T08:21:01+00:00 http://www.aroundthecorner.org.uk/index.php/pages/newsroom/last_chance_for_motorbike_prizes/ http://www.aroundthecorner.org.uk/index.php/pages/newsroom/last_chance_for_motorbike_prizes/#When:08:11:00Z If you want to win either a track day at Knockhill or a new helmet all you have to do is enter our survey. Tell us what you think of our website and you will automatically be entered into the competition. But you need to get your responses in quick, as the winners will be picked on Friday 27 July. While you are on the website you might as well find out about the great riding routes that the Scottish Borders has to offer, top tips and ask questions to motorbike cops who are on standby to answer any tricky questions. Chief Inspector Sandy Allan of Lothian and Borders Police, Road Policing said: "There has been a great response to our website so far. There’s some worthwhile information if you’re thinking of visiting the Scottish Borders or help improve you’re riding in general. The free prize draw is a must – a track day at Knockhill is something I certainly wouldn’t say no to - just a shame I can’t enter!" 2008-02-09T08:11:00+00:00 http://www.aroundthecorner.org.uk/index.php/pages/newsroom/niall_mckenzie_congratulates_winners/ http://www.aroundthecorner.org.uk/index.php/pages/newsroom/niall_mckenzie_congratulates_winners/#When:10:04:00Z Last week, Super bike champion Niall McKenzie met and congratulated the winners of the Around the Corner prize draw. Peter O’Malley, winner of a £500 helmet and David Liddle, winner of the track day at Knockhill were presented with their prizes at Knockhill Racing Circuit. Around the Corner is the Lothian and Borders Police motorcycle education campaign, which ran from March until the end of September, focussing on bikers who ride in the Scottish Borders. The aim of the campaign was to reduce crashes by informing bikers of any dangers. Police motorcyclists patrolled two publicised routes in the Borders and would stop and talk to fellow bikers about the routes, riding tips, bike maintenance and any other bike issues. The campaign was supplemented by a website, a credit sized leaflet that folded out to give the two routes and a handy puck. Niall McKenzie, three times British super bike champ said: “Road, and in particular bike safety campaigns such as Around the Corner is something I am passionate about promoting as far too many bikers are killed or seriously injured on the UK’s roads. Lothian and Borders Police are actively trying to reduce the accident statistics on their roads whilst not wishing to deprive enthusiasts of the enjoyment of riding their machines on some of Scotland’s most scenic routes. It was good to meet several senior police officers, at Knockhill, who happen to be bike enthusiasts and who understand people’s passion for motorcycles. I also met winner, David Liddle, who had a fabulous time at my track day riding his Honda and I look forward to assisting with any future safety initiatives”. Knockhill, who are sponsorship partners in Around the Corner, said why they were keen to be involved with the campaign: “As Scotland’s National Motorsport Centre, we obviously want people to enjoy watching spectacular racing here, such as the British Superbikes and other exciting events, but what we don’t want to see are bike enthusiasts being killed or seriously injured on the roads. The Circuit was delighted to support Around the Corner in conjunction with Lothian and Borders Police and we look forward to linking up again in 2008”. Chief Inspector Sandy Allan of Road Policing said the need for the campaign was as strong as ever: “This year, as in previous, there are a disproportionate number of motorcyclists being killed or seriously injured on our roads. We recognise that a lot of these involve a degree of rider error. Around the Corner has been really well received on line as an opportunity to learn more about biking and about the roads in the Scottish Borders. Our bikers have been out and about all summer, taking the chance to speak directly to bikers about routes, conditions and biking in general. Our mission this year was to improve skills and keep everybody safe. We want to encourage bikers to visit the Scottish Borders, enjoy our roads and return home safely.” 2008-02-04T10:04:00+00:00