A new road safety campaign aimed at reducing the number of collisions involving motorcyclists on the Island's roads has been launched by the Isle of Wight Council.

Over the last three years, 18 motorcyclists have been killed or seriously injured on Island roads due to cars pulling out of junctions. The council aims to reduce this figure through its high visibility campaign.

Eye-catching posters featuring the slogans 'Views to die for?' and 'Sorry, didn't see you' have been created by the council to feature on billboards and poster sites around the Island. Hard-hitting press and radio adverts will also reinforce the safety messages aimed at reducing the number of bike related collisions on the Island's roads this summer.

In line with the campaign, the council's road safety team will run another of its successful Better Riding courses in September. The course is designed to improve riders' skills and assist in anticipating hazards as well as teaching how to react to them using methods practiced by police experts.Isle of Wight Council road safety officer Mervyn Goldring, who developed the course said: "In a crash motorcyclists always come off worse but this course covers the fundamentals of keeping safe by learning advanced techniques through theory classes run by experts, followed by a practical assessment ride conducted by highly advanced motorcyclists.

"Our latest high visibility advertising campaign aims to get both drivers and riders thinking about the hazards faced by one another on the roads and hopefully reduce the number of incidents involving motorcyclists." Cllr Barry Abraham, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member responsible for road safety said: "Through this campaign we hope to target the growing number of bikers who take to the Island's roads during the summer months. We want to encourage bikers to ride more responsibly and at the same time remind motorists to 'look and look again' at road junctions, as this is when most collisions with motorcyclists occur.”

The next Better Rider course starts on Monday 7 September at Enterprise House in Newport from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. For more information or to enrol on the course contact Mervyn Goldring on 01983 823799 or via e-mail mervyn.goldring@iow