MOTORCYCLISTS across Oxfordshire are being urged to learn how to stay safe on the roads with new workshops run by the county’s fire service.

Biker Down was officially launched by Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service on Monday at its headquarters in Kidlington.

The free workshops give bikers of all ages and experience the chance to learn how to avoid being in a crash, as well as advice on essential first aid and what they should do if they find someone else injured.

A total of 30 motorcyclists in Oxfordshire were killed between 2010-2014, according to figures released by Thames Valley Police and the NHS – and another 959 were injured, 361 of them seriously.

Mick Clarke, the council’s fire and rescue road safety manager and a keen motorcyclist, said the launch event was a great success. He said: “We had lots of audience participation and a good mix of people.

“A young lady who had just passed her test the day before was frogmarched in by her mum to do the course, which was nice.

“We also had a couple of gentlemen – experienced riders – who had passed their test in the 1950s and 1960s but still wanted to find out more.”

The first workshop was led by fire and rescue watch manager Andy Ford and crew manager Nathan Crockford, who taught the bikers skills which could help minimise injuries in a motorcycle accident.

Mr Clarke added: “You are the first on the scene of an accident involving a biker.

“Would you know who is most at risk, how to protect the area or whether you should remove the helmet of a downed rider?

“Actions taken in the first few moments after any accident can be crucial in minimising injuries and can make a real difference to the lives of those involved.

“But there can be some uncertainty about what to do in these situations.”

The course was devised by Kent fire and rescue bike team and is made up of three modules including tuition on the science of being seen, accident scene management, and motorcycle-specific first-aid training.

Mr Clarke added: “If you are in an accident in a car at 30mph you are protected, you are in a cage. But bikers just have protective clothing and a helmet – that’s it. We are a lot more vulnerable in accidents.”

Email bikerdown@oxfordshire.gov.uk to find out more about the workshops, which 12 motorcyclists can attend each time.