HUNDREDS of delegates took part in a major conference aimed at cutting motorbike deaths on Lancashire roads.

And it is set to kickstart a campaign to curb the growing number of bike accidents.

Police have revealed that 17 bikers were killed last year and 137 seriously injured in the county.

Many of the accidents involve older riders, labelled born again bikers, travelling on high powered machines on East Lancashire's rural roads.

According to police the problem has shown no signs of improving with four fatal accidents involving bikers already this year in Lancashire.

The tragic death of Clitheroe man Stephen Harrison was highlighted at the launch of the Bike Safe 2000 campaign to press home the road safety message.

Stephen, 26, from George Street died two weeks ago after the Suzuki 600cc bike he was driving smashed into a wall.

Police say the young man's death has left a community in mourning and underlines the need for a safety campaign.

Experts from Lancashire County Council, the police and psychologists spoke at the all-day conference.

Three times World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty is supporting the campaign.

Statistics were revealed which showed smaller bikes were disappearing off the roads while there was a growing number of people buying large bikes. The age of riders has also shifted to people in their 30s and 40s and the vast majority are men.

The organisers of the Bike Safe 2000 campaign are hoping to strengthen links with the biker community in a bid to get the message across.

They are also planing to work with motorcycle manufacturers and suppliers as well as the ambulance services.

Chief Inspector Ian Bell, who heads Lancashire police's road safety unit, said: "We hope to reduce the numbers of fatalities and casualties by focusing on road safety education and training for motorcyclists .

"The Bike Safe 2000 seminar was only the start. During the months leading up to the Millennium we will be working with motorcycle dealers, clubs and other organisations to encourage motorcyclists in the county to get the proper training and ride safely."

Lancashire County Council road safety expert Peter Andrews said: "In the last ten years there has been a dramatic change in the kinds of people involved in accidents.

"We are now looking at the born again biker, men in their 30s and 40s with disposable income who ride motorbikes as a leisure pursuit.

"The important thing we have to do is to get the safety message across to that group because statistically they are most at risk."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.