BIKERS in Worcestershire are being warned to ride with care after a sharp rise in the number of motorcyclists being killed or seriously injured on roads in the region.

Ten bikers died on roads across West Mercia Constabulary’s force area between the beginning of April and mid-July this year, compared with six during the same period in 2007.

Police will now be targeting certain routes and specific meeting places used by motorcyclists in a bid to reduce the number of fatalities.

Your Worcester News reported how 17-year-old Ainsley Smith, of Breinton Road, Hereford, died following a head-on collision between the motorcycle he was riding and a Range Rover on the A4103 between Worcester and Hereford on Friday, May 2. More recently 37-year-old Dean Harrison died when his Yamaha motorcycle was in collision with a van on the A450 Mustow Green to Worcester road at Shenstone, near the junction with Ryeland Lane, on Saturday, July 26.

Other bikers have suffered serious injuries in recent months following collisions on Hartlebury Road, in Stourport-on-Severn, the A449 Wells Road at the junction with Upper Welland Road, and the B4211 at Rhydd, near Hanley Swan.

Superintendent Matt Mead, of West Mercia police, said: “Many motorcycle collisions are caused by the rider’s lack of skill or knowledge of the area, combined with riding at excessive and inappropriate speeds so it is vital that bikers ride in accordance with the law and within their own capabilities.

“However, it is important to remember that a proportion of collisions are caused by motorists in cars, vans and lorries failing to see motorcyclists.

“We would like to remind all road users to pay close attention to what is happening around them when they are driving or riding, especially when they are overtaking, or approaching or pulling out of a junction.”

Mr Mead said officers would be conducting high profile enforcement patrols, involving the force helicopter and unmarked vehicles fitted with video cameras.

The patrols will target the minority of riders who are a danger on the roads and who risk their lives, and the lives of others, by riding at excessive speeds and indulging in risky and dangerous manoeuvres, he said.

“These bikers give all motorcyclists a bad name and their irresponsible behaviour will only end in tragedy,” he said.

For more information about motorbike safety visit westmercia.police.uk