SUFFOLK Police are today urging motorcyclists to stay safe on the roads following the high number of fatal and serious injury collisions this year.Eight motorcyclists have died in crashes across the county in 2009, which accounts for nearly a third of all fatalities on Suffolk's roads this year.

SUFFOLK Police are today urging motorcyclists to stay safe on the roads following the high number of fatal and serious injury collisions this year.

Eight motorcyclists have died in crashes across the county in 2009, which accounts for nearly a third of all fatalities on Suffolk's roads this year.

This figure is already higher than the total number of motorcycle fatalities last year in which seven motorcyclists died in collisions.

Throughout August Suffolk Police have introduced 'Motorcycle Sundays' where police motorcyclists patrol the county's roads and engage with other motorcyclists to remind them of the importance of safe riding.

They are also encouraging other road users to be aware of motorcyclists, especially when making a manoeuvre.

Chief Inspector Mike Bacon from the Roads Policing Unit said: “There have been a number of motorcycle collisions this year and despite the fact that motorcyclists make up just a fraction of Suffolk's road users, they have been involved in around a third of all fatal collisions. Raising awareness of motorcycling and its hazards is incredibly important and reducing the number of collisions in the county is a key priority for Suffolk Police and its road safety partners.

“If you're a motorcyclist taking to the roads please make sure that your bike is well maintained, you are wearing the appropriate clothing and remember 'stay safe'.

“We would also like to remind car drivers of their responsibilities towards motorcyclists where a second look at a junction will often see a motorcycle that may have been missed at a first glance.”

Suffolk Police also run Bikesafe workshops that aim to improve rider awareness and ability. The final workshops taking place this year will be held on September 4 and 5.

For further information on Bikesafe workshops, call Pc Kevin Stark on 01473 613724, e-mail bikesafe@suffolk.pnn.police.uk, or visit www.suffolk.police.uk.

Do you feel safe on our county's roads? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.