MOTORCYCLISTS keen to improve their riding ability and stay safer on Hampshire and Isle of Wight roads, are being offered "new look" advanced motorcycle courses.

BikeSafe is a national police-led initiative aimed at increasing awareness of road safety and reducing the numbers of motorbike casualties on the roads.

BikeSafe workshops consist of classroom-based theory followed by an afternoon "on-road" observed riding session with a police motorcyclist, covering 80 miles of urban and country roads.

Since 2000, Hampshire Constabulary has run its own advanced motorcycle courses known as Edge44, in conjunction with Hampshire County Council.

From March this year Hampshire joins the national BikeSafe model adopted by police forces across the UK.

Courses will initially be held in Fareham, Basingstoke and Southampton, and will include advice and information on collision causation, positioning, observation, hazard perception, and overtaking.

The launch of BikeSafe follows a high number of fatalities in 2007 in which 20 motorcyclists lost their lives across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight - an increase of 29 per cent compared with 2006.

There were a further 299 serious injury collisions across the two counties involving motorcyclists.

Hampshire Constabulary BikeSafe coordinator, PC Mick Gear, said: "Last year we saw a high number of motorcycle fatalities in the two counties and the launch of BikeSafe is just one of the ways in which we are attempting to reduce the number of casualties on our roads.

"The new courses are well structured with both classroom learning and "on road" assessments aimed at improving riding skills in a fun, enjoyable way.

"The aim is to make BikeSafe as successful as previous Edge44 rider assessments and enable motorcyclists of all ages and abilities the chance to learn some beneficial skills."

For more information on BikeSafe courses visit www.bikesafe.co.uk and click on the Hampshire Constabulary pages or phone 01962 874600.