BORN again bikers are being invited back into the classroom in a bid to curb the number of accidents involving middle-aged motorcyclists.

The initiative, launched by Lancashire County Council this week, is targeting motorcyclists who are swapping from four wheels to two after several years in front of a steering wheel.

Police and transport chiefs believe the rising number of causalities on the county's roads is down, in part, to the increasing number of machine-mad men buying motorbikes later on in life, often with very little experience on motorbikes.

According to official figures there were 505 motorbike crashes in 1998, and 18 tragic deaths. Two thirds of the riders involved were over the age of 30.

The Born Again Bikers Campaign was launched by the chairman of Lancashire County Council's Highways and Transportation Committee, County Councillor Richard Toon He says the new campaign will encourage older bikers to hone their safety skills by attending one of the County Council's Road Safety Group training course.

Coun Toon said: "Every summer thousands of people rediscover their love for motorcycling and take to the county's roads, but they don't always rediscover their safety skills.

"We are offering a series of training courses that will bring bikers back up to speed, and to enable them to make the most of their bike.

"I would urge anyone who is thinking of taking to the roads again to find out more about these courses."

The courses are being promoted on the roads through a series of bus advertisements.

He added: "These courses have been created in direct response to the figures mentioned because we have to make a serious effort to reduce the figures.

"Everyone has a part to play in making Lancashire's roads a safer place to travel on."

For more information, ring (01772) 264470.

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