ROAD safety experts are using the bus to put across the "take care" message to motorists and bikers in a bid to cut soaring accident rates.

The number of motorcycle riders who have died in accidents has risen by 50 per cent in just three years.

With sales of motorbikes and mopeds up by 600 per cent over the same period, cycle safety is now the number one concern of safety officers across Greater Manchester.

In Bury, 40 people were killed or injured riding motorcycles or mopeds in 1999: this more than doubled to 85 in 2001.

The ten Greater Manchester councils have come together to launch an unprecedented awareness campaign. Some 250 buses will carry a poster with the slogan "Drivers: make sure you look! Riders: make sure you are seen!"

Mr Darren Barton, Wigan's road safety manager, said the number of accidents was an increasing cause of concern.

"Motorcycles and mopeds have many benefits: they are cheaper to run than cars and you can move more freely on roads," he said. "But a motorcyclist is 50 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than a car driver when involved in a collision.

"This is why we are reminding riders to make sure they are seen by using all their lights at all times and to wear high visibility jackets and a reflective "Sam Browne" belt. We are also asking drivers to use their mirrors, especially side mirrors, to look out for motorcyclists."