CHESHIRE’S winding country roads and lanes are a huge draw from motorbikes from the surrounding towns and cities in the summer months.

Motorbikes make-up about one per cent of all road traffic, yet account for a staggering 20 percent of road deaths, and 12 per cent of all road casualties in the UK.

What’s more, if a biker has an accident on a rural road, they are 5 times more likely to suffer serious injuries than they would on urban roads.

As part of this year’s National Motorcycle Safety Week, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s 'Fire Bikes' team are offering free, comprehensive ‘Biker Down’ courses designed to teach motorcyclists of all levels of experience practical skills to help them avoid being involved in a crash.

They will also get essential first-aid training and advice on what to do should they find themselves first on the scene of a crash where someone is injured.

Ryan Swindells, road safety manager for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We’ve being running the Biker Down Course here in Cheshire for a number of years and it’s always very well attended.

"The course is free to attend and is run by bikers for bikers.

"It offers people the chance to learn practical skills to help avoid being involved in a collision and attendees get to learn about first aid so they know what to do if they find themselves first at the scene of a road traffic collision.

"This advice could be crucial in minimising injuries and can make a real difference to the lives of those involved in a crash."

Cheshire Biker Down courses begin on Sunday, April 17, are completely free to attend, and will be running once per month until November. There are still places available.

They take place at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Services award-winning Safety Central education centre in in Lymm, and last about four hours.

If you would like to attend, email: bikerdown@cheshirefire.gov.uk

For more information, visit the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service website.