Sunday 25th August 2013 starting at Denholm in the Scottish Borders at Denholm at 1030hrs.
See info about the ride below :
BikeWise 2019
Photos online from latest meeting of the BWMBC
Photos are now online from the latest meeting of the BikeWise Mini Bike Club, which was held at Carrville on Sunday 18th August 2013.
To view the pictures please click on the image which will take you to the gallery page of the website & then click on the thumbnail image for the 18th August.
Next meetings of the club are on :
Monday 26th August at Karting NE (this event is run by Karting NE and not by BWMBC)
and then
Sunday 8th September at Carrville
Next Meeting of the BikeWise Mini Bike Club
Sunday, 18th August at Carrville Park & Ride.
Usual start time of 1030hrs with signing on from 1000hrs.
Weather forecast for tomorrow looks good but if you have any doubts about the weather then check the website before travelling as we will post any cancellation by 0900hrs
Blues & Greens Charity Ride
Paul Carter from the Blue Knights England 5 group called in at Police HQ just before BikeWise 2013 (Friday 26th July) whilst doing a two thousand mile trip across England with forty one venues to visit.
Paul was doing his ride in support of two national charities UKCOPS & Royal British Legion. His motorcycle was loaned by Hunts Motorcycles Kingsway Manchester.
Paul had set off on that day from West Midlands and had visited Police HQ’s at Staffs, Cheshire,Merseyside, Lancashire, Cumbria and was then joined by Steve Armstrong, Dave Gibbs Stu McCarthy to continue his journey via Northumbria to Durham, where he was met by motorcycle Sgt Iain Rogers & DCC Michael Banks who presented a cheque on behalf of Durham Constabulary from the BikeWise ‘Team’
For further details of the ride, please click on the links below :
UKCOPS at www.justgiving.com/BluesandGreens
OR
Royal British Legion at- www.justgiving.com/BluesandGreensRBL
Photos now online from BikeWise 2013
It rained in the morning and then the sun started to shine about lunchtime & our ‘team’ of photographers from Durham Photographic Society did a great job of recording the days event photographically for us to look at.
Please CLICK ON THIS LINK which will take you to our Galleries page where you will be able to click on the individual thumbnail images which will take you into the nine albums we have created for BikeWise 2013.
Hope you enjoy and look forward to BikeWise 2014
North East Mini Moto Championship–Photos now online
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Its taken some time but we’ve finally got some pictures (1,819) for you to look at from the North East Mini Moto Championship which was held on Monday 2nd July at Karting North East.
Some great racing on the night & many thanks to all who took part in and supported the event.
Big Thank You to Durham Police & Crime & Commissioner - Ron Hogg for attending and then presenting the trophies.
Please click on the thumbnail images above to view the individual albums
Biker Down….
Ever thought what you would do if your mate had an accident whilst you were out riding?
Ever been at the scene of an accident and felt like you could, or should have done more to help?
Have you ever wondered why despite wearing a fluorescent jacket, cars keep pulling out in front of you at junctions and roundabouts?
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service are offering you the chance to attend 'BIKER DOWN'. This FREE course will show you what to do should you be first on scene at a vehicle accident and how you could help yourself stay safe and assist any casualties involved. It will also explain the science behind 'being seen' when you are on your bike.
The course runs over 2 nights - the 5th and 12th September from 6.30pm to 9.00pm and you must be able to attend both nights. It will be held at Durham Fire and Rescue Station, Framwellgate Moor. You don't need any prior knowledge, you just need to be a motorcycle rider. The course is very relaxed and informal and there is loads of space to park your bikes safely on the night. Tea and coffee will be provided.
Please send an e-mail to : aallison@ddfire.gov.uk
stating your name, age and a contact telephone number if you would like to come along, or ring 0191 3324222 and leave your details.
Numbers are limited so don't delay!
More detailed course instructions will be given to successful applicants.
Look forward to seeing you. Cheers,
Andrew Allison, Community Safety
Manager, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service
BikeWise 2013 : Thank You
It caused havoc on our site and it was all hands to the pump unblocking drains and brushing water out of the sheds whilst desperately watching the weather forecast …
Signage couldn’t go out and the wet arena meant that the published itinerary had to be scrapped but irrespective the show must go on!
The clubs and exhibitors were all in place by 10am and despite the light rain visitors started to file in.
It wasn’t long before the site began to fill but it was obvious that because of the wet weather many had resorted to the car!
As a result by 1pm over 1000 car parking spaces in and around County Hall had been filled and we resorted to the overflow car parks at New College, we’ll discuss with the County Council the possibility of using the Park and Ride or next year!
And to the show.
It would be a huge list to mention all the sponsors and supporters who chip in to make the day the success whether it is the volunteers who put in time or businesses that provide free or discounted services, we owe them a huge debt of gratitude.
A few people however really do deserve singling out for a mention.
HM Plant is a company that has supported BikeWise for almost a decade and they have brought so much to the show.
This year was no exception bringing racers Neil Hodgson and Leon Hunt as well as Dick Shepherd and his amazing collection of Triumph movie bikes.
Behind every successful company however is a character driving it and we owe a huge thank you to John Jones, the CEO of HM Plant, and his wife Kath both of whom have been unswerving in their support and passion for BikeWise.
Dave Coates supported by his wife Sandra has attended BikeWise for eighteen years and is the consummate professional in everything he does, despite the problems we had with weather and itinerary Dave was there warming up the crowd on his scooter while the tarmac dried up!
Dave and Sandra will be shortly celebrating 25 years of marriage and the BikeWise team would like to congratulate them and wish them well for the future!
For the police dog team who put on an energetic and passionate display it was a bitter sweet moment as police dog Bruce on his seventh BikeWise was on his last working day, he’s off to put his Paws Up and relax!
No rest for his handler PC Gordon King though its straight back into work with his new dog Holly a potential future BikeWise star in the making !
An extensive list of causes that we’ve been able to donate to as a result of your generosity in the past can be found on the BikeWise website and yet again we’ll be making significant donations once the bills have been paid.
Next year will be our twentieth BikeWise and the last show at the current Aykley Heads complex before our new HQ is completed just over the road.
We look forward to welcoming old and new visitors so keep an eye on the BikeWise website for next years date.
Finally however and most importantly to those of you that have supported BikeWise whether by attending, making a donation of money or time or those who have simply promoted what we do by retweeting or sharing on Facebook the BikeWise Team owe you a very big thank you.
Quite simply without your relentless support BikeWise wouldn’t happen!
Ride safe.
Sgt Iain Rodgers
Durham Motorcycle Section
Don’t Learn By Accident
Sadly every year we have to deal with & let you know about accidents involving fellow motorcyclists.
This year we have launched a campaign – Don’t Learn By Accident…
Please CLICK ON THIS LINK to read more
Air Support will be dropping in again
Find out about the role of the helicopter from the Air Support Crew who will be bringing one of the Police helicopters to BikeWise 2013.
You’ll get the chance to view the helicopter from close up on the ground & remember to bring your camera along
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The Movies (& a World Superbike Champion) Come To BikeWise !
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The popular annual fun day, now in its 19th year stages a host of motorbike-related displays and other attractions at police headquarters, Aykley Heads on the outskirts of Durham.
And among the bikes on display will be three machines which have been handled by some of the biggest names in entertainment.
A private collector based in the West Midlands has loaned the force three Triumph motorbikes; a Bonneville bike used by Arnold Schwarzenegger in ‘Terminator 3: The Rise of the Machines’; a Scrambler which Tom Cruise rode in ‘Mission Impossible III’ and the 1949 Triumph Trophy TR5 Scrambler Custom motorcyclefavoured by the character Arthur Fonzarelli – ‘The Fonz’ – in the popular 1970’s tv series ‘Happy Days’.
The Fonz’s bike is for display purposes only but the ‘Terminator’ and ‘Mission Impossible’ bikes will both be taken for a ride by two of the HM Plant sponsored professional riders attending BikeWise, former British and World Superbike champion & Eurosport commentator Neil Hodgson and Leon Hunt, who races in the National Superstock 1000 championships.
“We are thrilled to have such famous bikes with us on Sunday and I am sure they will prove a big attraction. BikeWise really has something for everyone, it’s not just for biking enthusiasts,” said Sgt Iain RODGERS, head of the force’s motorcycle section.
“We have displays from the police dog section, the police helicopter will be there and there are some fabulous stunt teams and individual riders whose skills are just breathtaking.”
More than 30 local motorcycling clubs will be represented at the event, which will also feature trade stands, local rock band ‘Kimera’ whilst Ace Motorcycle Training will be bringing the Sun FM Roadshow to the event.
And owners of custom or classic bikes are being encouraged to bring them along on Sunday, with prizes on offer across various categories.
On a serious note the bike cops will be promoting road safety and their ongoing ‘BikeSafe Training’ programme around this year’s theme of ‘Don’t Learn by Accident.’ There have been four fatal crashes involving motorcyclists so far this year in the Durham force area, resulting in five people losing their lives.
Sunday also marks the final ‘bow’ for one very important member of the force. Police dog ‘Bruce’ was a product of the force’s breeding programme and after he was born in 2005 he was paired up with his handler, PC Gordon King. Since then Bruce, a German Shepherd general purpose dog has assisted in hundreds of arrests and been involved in countless incidents, many of which have involved firearms.
Bruce’s last shift will see him take his place in the display team on Sunday before he heads off to a well-earned retirement. PC King has already been assigned a new companion, a German Shepherd named ‘Holly’ who is expected to succeed Bruce at future BikeWise displays.
Entry to the site is from 10am and costs £2 for adults with under-16’s allowed in free of charge. Once costs have been met any proceeds are distributed to local good causes.
There will be clear directions and officers on duty to steer visitors to the appropriate parking sites, County Hall for cars and the all-weather area off the main drive to headquarters for bikes.
3SIXTY Stunt Bike Team
The 3SIXTY display riders tackle obstacles with precise, calculated and effortless leaps.
Riders never appear out of control and actually deliver the show commentary through helmet microphones whilst riding.
Safety is important. These skills are achieved through hundreds of hours of dedicated and safe practice, a message reinforced throughout each 3SIXTY display.
3SIXTY riders are role models making cycle safety and helmet wear ‘cool’.
Founding member of 3SIXTY Ian Drummond has been a regular visitor to BikeWise over the years and once again we look forward to watching the skills that most of us can only dream of
Click on the image above to visit 3SIXTYS website
Bruce’s last stand …..
PD 'Bruce' will spend his last shift as an operational Police dog, entertaining the crowds again at Police HQ, Aykley Heads, on Sunday 28th July 2013, before he hangs his collar and lead up, after 7 years loyal service to the Durham force.
When Bruce starts his well earned retirement the following day, his handler, PC Gordon King starts an initial course with his new German Shepherd dog 'Holly', who we're sure will become a star at future Bikewise events.
Bruce was part of the force breeding programme, born on 16th January 2005 and has been Gordon's partner since about 7 weeks of age. He has been an extremely successful General Purpose Dog, assisting in hundreds of arrests throughout his career and also qualifying in the roles of PSU and Tactical Firearms Support.
One of Gordon's most memorable incidents was when Bruce located and detained a suspect responsible for assaulting a very elderly lady, and stealing her handbag. Despite very difficult conditions, Bruce found the offender hiding in a garden, still holding the handbag ! Without the dog, he would not have been found.
Gordon states that although it wasn't the 'best' dog related job they had, due to the emotional and mental trauma suffered by the victim.. It by far his favourite one.
Now it's time for Bruce to put his Paws Up and hopefully enjoy a long and relaxed retirement he so thoroughly deserves
Show Us Yours….
To ‘Show us Yours’ all you have to do is either bring it along to Police HQ on the afternoon of Saturday 27th July or before 0930hrs on Sunday 28th July (BikeWise Show)
The only stipulation we have is that you will not be able to take it off the site until the show ends (about 1700hrs) as the whole of the site is pedestrianized for the event and we cannot have motorcycles being ridden through the public !!
All you have to do is fill a form in which will be available on the day from PC’s Ali Bonar or Tony Richmond and there are some lovely trophies to be won. So go on… share your pride & joy with us and lets see what ‘gems’ we have tucked away in the North East.
If you need further details then please ring 0191-3752136 and ask to speak to Ali or Tony OR email us at : durham.bikewise@gmail.com
Appeal for witnesses to fatal motorcycle crash
The Great North Air Ambulance and rapid response paramedics attended the accident on the B6279 Staindrop Road on the outskirts of Darlington.
But despite their efforts, the 58-year-old man from Sadberge, near Darlington, was declared dead at the scene.
The collision, involving a green Kawasaki ZX 750cc bike and a blue Ford Galaxy, happened just before 10.25am yesterday morning (Sunday, July 7) at the junction with Walworth Road.
The 50-year-old driver of the car, from Darlington, was unhurt, as were his wife and two children who were also in the car.
The road was closed until 4pm and police are appealing for any witnesses to the collision.
Anyone who can help is asked to call Durham Police’s collision investigation unit on 0191-375-2159.
Download a Poster for BikeWise 2013
Click on either of the images below to download a BikeWise 2013 poster – please share it amongst your friends, on Facebook / Twitter or at work to let people know when the show is on.
The website will be updated regularly from now to the 28th with updates about what is happening at the show
Photo’s now online from NEMMC
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Photos are now online from our abandoned meeting of the NE Mini Moto Championship which was held on Sunday 23rd June at Karting North East (warden Law).
Practice and qualifying went well with a good entry and dry conditions and then just as we started to race ‘the heavens opened’ and the track was soaked.
We therefore had to cancel the meeting as the safety of our young riders is paramount to us.
We intend to re-run the meeting on the evening of Monday 22nd July (4pm – 8pm) : subject once again to the English weather !!!
If there is the slightest hint of rain on the day we will cancel as the circuit is unrideable on two wheels once it becomes damp/wet due to the low grip surface which was designed primarily for the go karts.
Apologies to those who travelled from Scotland & the South Coast to compete but we sadly have no control over the weather. Karting North East is a fantastic circuit / facility in the dry as can be seen from the photos on our BWMBC website / gallery but the safety of our young riders will always come first and once the circuit is wet we will not take any risks.
To view photos from the day click on any of the images above which will take you to the gallery and then click on the thumbnail images for the 23rd June 2013
BikeWise does BikeSafe from 2013!
Our success over the years resulted in BikeWise as a casualty reduction strategy being awarded the Highways Magazine Excellence Award, as Road safety Scheme of the year in 2008. This was followed up in 2009 when BikeWise was awarded the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award.
Since it started in 2008 until the end of 2012 BikeWise Training was delivered to approximately 500 riders by ex -Durham motorcycle officers Bob Brown and Mick Alder. Many of these riders went on to gain IAM and RoADAR qualifications.
From 2013 officers from Durham Constabulary Motorcycle Section will be providing BikeSafe skills workshops on a number of days throughout the year. BikeSafe is a national police led motorcycle project that is run by most forces throughout the UK. The main aim is to reduce motorcycle related road casualties and by improving skills, knowledge and hazard awareness it will hopefully make riding safer and more enjoyable.
The BikeSafe workshop explores the main issues facing today’s bikers. It also explores the principles of advanced riding through the on-road element. The BikeSafe observer will give assessment and feedback which will highlight areas where the rider needs to develop. BikeSafe is about starting on the right path to development as it "Bridges the Gap".
Riders will benefit by continuing to train throughout their riding years, and not just stop once they have passed their bike test. During your workshop you will either be provided with the information to make contact with providers of advanced motorcycle training, or get the opportunity to speak to somebody in person at the event from Durham Advanced Motorcyclists.
We are pleased to report that the first Durham Bikesafe workshop took place at BikeWise HQ on Saturday 15th June 2013. Ten riders took part in the event and initial feedback has been very positive.
Watch this space for further details about how to book your Durham BikeSafe workshop.