Road safety expert issue Easter bikers warning

One rider was killed between 2010 and 2015, while 22 were seriously injured and a further 36 received slight injuries after coming off their bikes.

Statistics show that motorcyclists are 38 times more likely to be killed in a road accident than car driver.

Chairman of Road Safety GB North East Paul Watson said figures are expected to peak as Easter approaches.

Mr Watson said: “It’s the time of year when bikers like to get their machines out and tour around the region, so understandably we tend to see a sharp rise in accidents involving motorcyclists between March and October.

“Failure to look properly is a factor in almost half of the accidents involving bikes and quite often riders simply lose control of their vehicles.

“Bikers are obviously very vulnerable because they don’t have the same protection.”

Accidents involving motorcycles of 500cc and over tend to peak in March and April and continue that way until September and October.

Strategic Road Policing Inspector Wendy Tinkler, of Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit, said: “Most collisions are preventable and we fully support any campaign that will encourage our road users to be more aware and look out for each other.”