MORE than 170 motorcyclists were stopped by traffic police in Suffolk during the Easter break for safety checks to be carried out.The crackdown was designed to help reduce the number of motorcyclists killed and injured on the county's roads and saw riders punished for various offences.

By Danielle Nuttall

MORE than 170 motorcyclists were stopped by traffic police in Suffolk during the Easter break for safety checks to be carried out.

The crackdown was designed to help reduce the number of motorcyclists killed and injured on the county's roads and saw riders punished for various offences.

These included excess speed, not wearing the correct helmet, illegal registration plates, faulty or illegal exhausts and riding with no test certificate or insurance.

Officers also issued safety advice during the initiative.

One rider was made aware of a nail in his back tyre and another that his rear wheel was out of alignment due to a chain being poorly adjusted.

Either of these riders could have been seriously injured if they had continued to ride their bikes in this condition.

Chief Inspector Martin Barnes-Smith, head of Suffolk Constabulary's roads unit, said: “We were fortunate in that we had no motorcycle collisions that resulted in someone being killed or seriously injured over the Easter break.

“These campaigns are not aimed at catching people out - our aim is always to save lives. Suffolk Constabulary will continue to proactively target motorists and riders who break the law in order to prevent collisions and to drive down the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.

“A number of the roads policing unit officers are enthusiastic bikers themselves. They are committed to ensuring that bikers are able to enjoy their riding in a safe environment.”

Suffolk Constabulary runs the popular Bike Safe course, which is subsidised by Suffolk County Council.

It is designed to improve bike riders' awareness and skill.

For more information contact Pc Kevin Stark at Suffolk roads policing unit on 01473 613598 or email bikesafe@suffolk.pnn.police.uk.

Danielle.nuttall@eadt.co.uk