About
Words from Superintendent James McAloon. Head of the Operational Support Department. Durham Constabulary
BIKERS die needlessly across County Durham's road network and every year thieves steal hundreds of machines. Durham Constabulary's annual "BikeWise" event provides the ideal platform to promote important messages designed to cut fatalities and reduce crime. At the same time it provides a family fun-day that has entertained tens of thousands of people over the last decade.
Our "Wait a Second" campaign, backed by both world and national racing champions, underlines the force's determination to get our road safety and security messages out to bikers across the north. Ten motorcycling deaths in the last four years highlight the vital importance of our work, which is all about educating rather than prosecuting biking enthusiasts. We hope to persuade them to exercise restraint by showing 'Respect' for their own lives and the lives of other road users as well as the communities they pass through.
Since Bikewise's launch in 1995 almost 800 riders have become members of Durham Advanced Motorcyclists. The group became so large that it had to split and as a result Northumberland Advanced Motorcyclists was formed. In the same period bike thefts have fallen from an all-time high of 1,000 to just over 500. Statistics show that eight out of ten stolen machines are spirited from garages, garden sheds and backyards - a fact that owners need to be constantly aware of.