Brighton Biker Nights – join us for this summer’s rideouts.

Sussex Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP) are funding two motorcycle meet-ups in Brighton this year, as a way of spreading safety messages to some of our most vulnerable road users.

The events, run by Brighton and Hove City Council (BHCC), will take place on Madeira Drive, Brighton. They will include the opportunity to engage with like-minded riders, talk to professionals about the highways of Sussex, and serves as an opportunity to get involved with further training on your bike. In addition, there will be trophies for Bike and Scooter of the Night, a raffle organised by the Air Ambulance, DJs for entertainment, and the biker cafes will be open.

Representatives at each event will include Brighton Motorcycle Action Group and SERV Sussex Blood & Organ Runners, who are working with BHCC to organise the event and will collect donations on behalf of Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance. First prize for the raffle at the June event is a CBT up to the value of £110, donated by Saferide Motorcycle and Scooter Training, and for the event in July is a ‘Skill for Life’ motorcycle advanced riding course, donated and ran by the Institute of Advanced Motorcyclists.

With the summer season for biking in full swing now, it is imperative we make bikers aware of the dangers they face on the roads, and for other vehicles to consider the threat they can pose to those on two wheels. Casualty Reduction Officer (CRO) PC Phil Barrow (Sussex Police) commented:

“The Brighton Biker Nights are the perfect opportunity to engage with some of our most vulnerable road users, and the more people we can spread the road safety message to, the better. Working for SSRP, I see a range of abilities on bikes, and there are some who have been riding for years, but can still improve their skills.”

PC Barrow runs BikeSafe throughout the county, a one-day course which looks at the common causes of collisions, road-craft, and includes an observed road-ride.

CRO and fire fighter Clive York (East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service) said:

“Having recently joined SSRP after years of responding to collisions on the road, I have a renewed understanding of how vital the education surrounding biking is. We also need to look at how other road users deal with bikes on the road, as their behaviour can go some way to savings lives.”

The longest serving Firebike rider in ESFRS, Clive coordinates Biker Down in East Sussex, which focusses on what to do if you are in a collision, or happen to come across one. It involves first aid (including crash helmet removal), dealing with major trauma, scene management, and how to be seen on the roads.

Both CROs work for SSRP, and together have a combined total of 24 years of experience riding motorbikes for work.

The Brighton Biker Nights are on the 7th of June and 12th of July, both from 7 – 9:30pm. There will be a road closure in place, allowing for more bikes, and free parking available. Keep up with all the news here.