Gloucestershire Constabulary supports National Police Chiefs’ Council’s 2Wheel Operation

Gloucestershire Constabulary is joining forces across the country in supporting the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s 2Wheel Operation.

The operation, which is running from 2 to 15 June, aims to reduce the number of motorcyclists, cyclists and e-scooter users killed or seriously injured on the roads.

Motorcyclists represent almost a quarter of fatal or serious injury collisions in the UK, despite making up three per cent of vehicles on the roads, showing just how risky motorcycling can be.

In Gloucestershire there were 774 road traffic collisions involving motorcyclists between April 2024 and April 2025 with 45 being serious injury collision and six resulting in fatalities – many of which could have been prevented by greater awareness from other road users or through safer riding.

While motorcycles are capable of travelling at the same speeds as cars, riders do not benefit from the same level of physical protection in the event of a collision making even minor misjudgements potentially fatal.

Over the coming weeks officers from our Roads Policing Unit will be engaging with two-wheeled road users and educating other motorists on their responsibility to keep everyone safe on the roads by being vigilant. 

They are also asking motorcyclists to consider taking part in Bikesafe. This is a national police-run motorcycle initiative aimed at working with bikers in a relaxed environment to raise awareness and skill.

Whilst advanced police riders are some of the safest on the roads, they are not in the business of delivering rider training to the public, hence BikeSafe is not a formal training scheme.

At a workshop, you’ll be shown the skills you need to read the road and improve your knowledge, followed by an observed ride where an accredited biker will follow you and help you put your skills to the test. There is also input from IAM RoadSmart, the UK’s leading road safety charity and advocate.

Afterwards, they’ll give you feedback on how to improve your skills and give pointers on what you can do next to become the best of your ability.

Our police bikers believe in giving you honest feedback, as that is what will provide the greatest benefit to the rider.

The workshops aim to cover rider attitude, systematic methods, collision causation, cornering, positioning, overtaking, observation, braking, hazard perception and use of gears. Ultimately, they want to give you the best of their advanced knowledge, so you can ride to the best of your ability.

During BikeSafe, the police riders are not riding as cops; they’re riding to help bikers level up their skills.

You can learn more about BikeSafe and book your workshop on their website: https://bikesafe.co.uk/gloucestershire/

Motorists are also being reminded to take simple steps to help protect two-wheel users. These include:

• Leaving at least 1.5m space when overtaking cyclists or motorbikes
• Double-checking mirrors and blind spots, especially before turning or pulling out
• Using  the ‘Dutch Reach’ method when opening your car door to avoid "dooring" incidents
• Expecting to see more bikes on the road as the summer months approach

Inspector Martyn Murawa from Specialist Operations said: “Motorcyclists, cyclists and e-scooter riders are some of the most vulnerable road users and we’re using this campaign to engage with riders and promote safer habits whilst also ensuring other motorists are aware of their responsibilities and know how to behave and act on our roads. 

"Our efforts to make the roads of Gloucestershire safe take place 24/7, 365 days a year and this campaign forms part of our joint work with the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership."

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner and Chair of Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership Nick Evans added: "Data shows that in Gloucestershire, motorcyclists have made up 20% of deaths and serious injuries on the County’s roads since 2017, so there is clearly a need for a focused campaign of this type and I’m very glad that it is being supported by Gloucestershire Police.

"The Road Safety Partnership is stepping up to make sure that all of the relevant agencies in Gloucestershire are working together to make the County’s roads safer. Educating drivers and riders through awareness campaigns like this plays an important part of that work, making sure that we reduce the numbers of people who are killed and seriously injured on our roads."

For more information about road safety and crime prevention tips to keep your two-wheeled vehicles safe visit:  https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/