A STARK warning has been issued to motorcyclists using East Hampshire's roads: take care or pay the ultimate price. The message from Hampshire Police's roads policing unit comes after it launched a summer-long campaign aimed at reducing the number of motorcycle deaths on the area's roads. The scheme will see high visibility patrols taking to popular biking routes such as the A339, A272 and the A32 every weekend from now until the autumn. The campaign was introduced last year in a bid to halt the startling rise in motorcycle fatalities on Hampshire's roads since 2001. That year, 16 people were killed in motorcycle collisions, this rose to 22 in 2002 and 33 in 2003. But last year this fell to the lowest in 14 years. Pc Mick Gear, Bikesafe officer for the roads policing unit, said: "Motorcyclists are more vulnerable than other road users and the roads policing unit is committed to educating riders and helping to improve their road skills through Bikesafe and other motorcycle focussed activities. "Last year Hampshire Ambulance Service teamed up with the RPU to provide rapid response paramedic bikes on the routes. This is set to continue this year to ensure that anyone injured gets treatment as soon as possible. "These patrols are aimed at reminding people to take more care on the roads. However if motorcyclists come into Hampshire and the Isle of Wight it is their responsibility to ride sensibly, within their capability and within the law." Police hope motorcyclists will take heed and ride sensibly and within the law.
