Bike safety campaign is launched

A poster campaign to encourage drivers to be more aware of motorcyclists filtering through traffic has been launched in Surrey.

Surrey County Council will put up 28 posters in July at sites that have a history of bikes and cars colliding.

They aim to remind drivers to look out for bikes passing through the traffic, especially when they are turning right.

The authority said 455 riders were killed or seriously injured on the county's roads in 2007.

'Vulnerable road users'

David Munro, the council's Executive Member for Transport, said: "Many people get a great deal of pleasure from the freedom of the motorbike, and when they take to two wheels instead of four it reduces congestion so is to be encouraged.

"But they are vulnerable as road users, and motorists need to be reminded to look out for them.

"This poster campaign will alert motorists to watch for bikes filtering through the traffic and will hopefully keep motorcyclists safer."

It is legal for motorcyclists to filter past traffic as long as they do not pick up speed to the point where it could be seen as a dangerous overtake.