TWO roads running through Wyre Forest are among the most dangerous for bikers in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire.

The A449 between Kidderminster and Malvern and the A441 between Cookley and Hopwood have been named in a 13-strong list of the most hazardous for motorcyclists in the areas covered by West Mercia Constabulary.

Launching a safety campaign, to run throughout the summer, the force identified the danger roads as the ones where the majority of crashes involving motorcyclists happened.

As part of the Knights of the Road initiative, officers will increase enforcement and education efforts in a bid to reduce the number of riders killed or injured on the force area's roads.

The campaign has been launched despite statistics showing the total of people killed while riding a bike at their lowest level for 10 years.

Eight motorcyclists died after being involved in a crash in 2004. The corresponding figure for 1995 was seven.

There has also been a fall in the number of bikers injured in collisions - down by 11 per cent - from 473 in 2000 to 419 in 2004.

Sgt John Roberts, of West Mercia's operations department, said: "While the figures have improved in recent years, we cannot afford to be complacent. Three people have already been killed while riding their motorcycles this year.

"Motorcyclists accounted for only one per cent of the traffic on force roads last year and yet they still accounted for almost one in 10 of the people killed.

"We will be paying particular attention to the roads where we know motorcyclists have been killed and injured in previous years."

He had a warning for reckless bikers, saying: "We will be targeting motorcyclists who use excessive speed and carry out dangerous manoeuvres, risking other people's lives as well as their own.

"We will also be focusing on the behaviour of other road users and reminding them of the importance of being aware of other vehicles, particularly motorcycles."

Dedicated motorcycle officers and the constabulary's helicopter will be used to tackle the problem.

Motorcyclists will also be given the opportunity to improve their skills through the Bikesafe scheme, a national programme enabling them to have their riding assessed and learn advanced techniques for safer biking.

More information on the scheme is available from Sgt Roberts on 01905 331659.