A very different use of the aircraft parking dispersal & hangar areas took place on Saturday 10th August when RAF Shawbury hosted a “Bike Safe” Motorcycle Safety Training event run by the West Mercia Police Safer Roads Partnership. Around 70 motorcyclists received a combination of classroom theory (road craft, first aid) & practical rider skills delivered by experts from West Mercia Police, The West Midlands Ambulance Service, The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and the Shropshire Advanced Motorists & Motorcyclists(SAMM).
Harry Palmer, Ascent General Manager at RAF Shawbury said “Motorcycle accidents remain the highest cause of fatal casualties across the Armed Forces, despite the pace & intensity of our Operations over the last 15 years. We are pleased to support this very important safety programme enabling 20 IAM & SAMM Instructors to run one-on-one rider tuition using our facilities to teach and fine tune critical motorcycle handling skills.”
A great deal of learning took place with all students commenting on their improved appreciation & awareness of key skills at the end of the days training.