Biker Down!: Saving lives on the road
Biker Down! – the innovative training course that shows motorcyclists how to respond if they come across a road traffic collision – is coming to Greater Manchester, and all bikers are encouraged to attend.
The course offers advice and training on how to administer first aid, make a crash site safer and be visible as a rider. It also includes biker-specific tips on how to safely remove a helmet if you think they need CPR or other emergency care.
Biker Down! is run by GM Fire & Rescue Service at its Safety Centre in Bury. The next two sessions are being held on 13th October and 3rd November and are FREE to attend – but hurry, places are limited on both, so book now (see link below). A full programme of courses will be run next year.
Billy Fenwick, GM Fire & Rescue’s Head of Prevention, said he was excited about the way the course was developing.
“The course was initially created by our colleagues in Kent, and I’m delighted to be able to offer it to Greater Manchester’s bikers.”
“We’ve made our course very hands on, with a real car and biker crash staged on the training roads at the safety centre for Module 1 on Scene Safety, and a dummy victim for CPR practice in the second module, Casualty Care. We follow those with a workshop on how to keep yourself more visible as a rider.
“Biker Down! has been run in other parts of the UK for more than a decade and it is always very enthusiastically received. We’ve made our delivery very interactive and hands-on, and I’m keen to attract more younger riders to attend, as it really is for everyone. It’s a very informal session with the emphasis on helping you to help others. Knowing what to do if you come across a traffic collision, whether it involves cars, vans or motorbikes, can be crucial in saving lives and keeping everyone else on the scene safe.”
The course is part of the Fire & Rescue Service’s commitment to engaging with the biking community at all ages and styles of bikes, to reduce injuries and fatalities.
Billy added:
“Biker Down! is a real eye-opener for everyone who attends. It’s a great refresher for experienced riders who may have an idea on what to do at a crash scene but need more information to respond correctly and safely. But it’s also brilliant for younger riders on lower powered bikes or scooters and mopeds; the advice you’ll receive you will simply not get anywhere else. Biker Down’s modules aren’t something you’ll find in your CBT, for example. The day offers guidance that will stay with you for life, and while I hope you never have to put it into practice, the day you do you’ll be glad you attended a Biker Down! day.”
For more on Biker Down, and to book, see
https://www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/your-safety/road-safety/motorcyclists/biker-down/
GM Fire & Rescue’s Fire Bikes are looking to get out and about to meet other bikers over the coming months, said Billy Fenwick.
"Our Fire Bikes are part of the Fire & Rescue Service’s Motorcycle Risk Reduction Team. The Team use bikes to deliver road safety interventions, meeting other riders at regular hang-outs, biker meet-ups and events to swap stories about riding and pass on safety tips. The Team also work in collaboration to support Greater Manchester Police in delivering ‘Bike Safe’ training.
The fire officers love chatting about their own bikes and are happy to answer questions on riding, safety gear and training.
Billy added: “The Motorcycle Risk Reduction Team are all about engaging with the motorcycling community at all levels, to pass on advice and help keep their fellow riders safe. They are an integral part of our five-year plan to lower motorcycle crash stats across Greater Manchester, based around wearing the right gear, riding well maintained bikes and knowing how to ride safely.”
Look out for the GM Fire Bikes at an event near you soon.
