SUFFOLK: A motorcyclist killed on the county’s roads at the weekend brings the number of biker fatalities to three this year so far – nearly half the total amount of those who died in the whole of last year, it emerged today.

Emergency services were called at around 9.10pm to a two-vehicle collision involving a black VW Golf and a red Honda motorcyclist on Loraine Way, Bramford, on Sunday.

The rider of the motorcycle, named by police as Peter Mittell, 61, from Somersham, was treated by the ambulance service but sadly died at the scene.

Figures show that in Suffolk in 2010, there were 87 motorcyclists seriously injured and four killed. In 2011, 78 were serious injured, and eight were fatally injured.

Suffolk police has called on bikers to make sure they take care while riding, and is running its Bikesafe workshops later this month. There was another biker fatality on Sunday on the Ardleigh interchange roundabout in Essex when a Yamaha motorcycle and a grey Peugeot 207 were in collision.

Dean Sadler, 33, of Waltham Close, in Ipswich, was certified dead at the scene. The car driver was uninjured.

Mr Sadler was the second person to die on a bike on Essex’s roads this year. In 2011, six motorcyclists died and in 2010 a total of 12 people died.

Sergeant Paul Ward, who heads the Casualty Reduction Team said: “Traditionally, clear and bright weather will see an increase of motorcyclists on the roads so we would always remind motorists to ‘Think Bike’ when making any manoeuvre.

“If you’re a motorcyclist taking to the roads, make sure your bike is well maintained, you are wearing the appropriate clothing and remember ‘stay safe’. Always ride defensively, concentrate and anticipate the errors of other road users.”

A Suffolk County Council spokesman added: “The county council is committed to working with its partners in raising awareness of motorcyclists on Suffolk roads. We will continue to deliver motorcycle road safety schemes to help riders and other road users improve their safety knowledge and core driving and riding skills.

“It is important for motorcyclists to protect themselves at all times – wearing the right gear and riding defensively can save lives. All road users need to be always on the alert for motorcyclists.”

Any witnesses to the collision in Bramford are asked to call Sgt Bob Patterson at the Serious Collision Investigation Team at the Police Headquarters on 101.

Anyone with information in connection with the crash in Ardleigh is urged to contact investigating officers at Essex Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or e-mail collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk.

n Do you know either of these men and want to pay tribute to them? E-mail the newsdesk on starnews@archant.co.uk or call 01473 324790.

n For the full story on a horror crash in Norwich Road, Ipswich, yesterday, see page 5