Hastings Mayday Run

Twenty Thousand bikers are expected to head from Locksbottom in Kent to Hastings in the annual Mayday Run. (thanks to Dean Thorpe and Aspexdesign for the picture) Police have issued the following statement

Police and their road safety partners will be out in force at the weekend to make sure one the region’s biggest biking events runs smoothly in an effort to reduce the number of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured on the roads.

Officers will be out in their cars, on their bikes and in speed enforcement vans when the May Day Run from London to Hastings kick starts the season on Monday, May 3.

There will be police and road safety partners ensuring safety and offering advice and where necessary enforcing the law as more than 20,000 bikers are expected to ride to Hastings including the A21.

Sergeant Kevin Williams from the Motorcycle Unit said: 'We want riders to come here and enjoy riding on our roads but we want them to do it safely.

‘We also want other road users to be able to go about their business safely so we won’t tolerate anti social riding that threatens and intimidates others. ‘Come here and enjoy but if you break the law expect the police to take positive action.’

Police and road safety partners will pool their expertise and resources to improve biker safety and reduce casualties with:

· Warning signs along the most dangerous roads

· Unmarked vehicles including camera cars and video equipped motorcycles

· Safety Camera Partnership Vans

· Help and advice at cafes along the route. KCC Road Safety Team will be at the Little Chef at Brenzett on the A259 and Kent Fire and Rescue will be at the Little Chef on the A21 Lamberhurst.

· A plea for other road users to report anti social riders by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

This event also kick starts the Police’s summer long campaign to reduce death and serious injury on the county’s roads involving motorcycles.

While only one in 100 road users is a motorcyclist, a quarter of serious road collisions involve riders. Last year 184 motorcyclists were killed or seriously injured on Kent’s roads.

Inspector Paul Sellwood said:‘We want to work with motorcyclists to ensure they can enjoy riding bikes safely all year round.

‘It is not about spoiling their fun. It is about keeping everyone safe and making sure their families don’t have to go through the trauma of losing a loved one.

‘We will educate, enforce the law and talk to motorcyclists at major events – giving them advice that could save their lives.’